The new era at Cheshire Phoenix got underway last night as head coach John Coffino saw his side claim a 67-53 pre-season triumph at Manchester Magic.
Coffino took a strong Nix squad, which included new signing Gareth Murray who has arrived from BBL rivals the Glasgow Rocks, to the John Amaechi Basketball Centre in Manchester last night, where the new look Cheshire side proved too strong for the EBL Division One outfit.
The Nix starting five lined up with no representatives from last season's squad, with Aleek Pauline, Demond Watt, Sasa Cuic, Brad Karp and Murray all named by Coffino.
The Nix, who have only been in practice for little over a week, started well and showed their quality early-doors and ended the first period 23-8 to the good thanks to some clinical shooting from former St Xavier's standout Karp.
The second period continued very much in the same vein, with the impressive Pauline, who weighed in with 14 points on the night, showing his undoubted class on the floor as the Nix went in to the locker room at the half-time break 43-20 up.
But the Magic did not roll over and made a fist of it in the third, with Jack Minister's 12 points and six rebounds from the bench aiding their efforts as they out-scored the Nix in final two quarters.
Devan Bailey, Josh McGinn, Matt Pike and ex-Mersey Tigers forward Martin Calvo all appeared from the bench to contribute during a good work out for Coffino's men.
Karp was the go-to-guy for the Nix on the offense, posting 25 points, as well as nine rebounds, on an impressive debut.
The Nix, who begin their BBL campaign at the Northgate Arena to the Leicester Riders on Sunday, September 28, 5.30pm, face BBL new boys Leeds Force at Leeds University on Sunday (4pm), before an intra-squad friendly on Wednesday.
