Worthing Thunder have confirmed the signing of Evaldas Zabas, two weeks after the Lithuanian was one of five players sacked by Worcester.
Zabas, who also held talks with Everton Tigers, is likely to make his debut against Leicester on December 19.
Long-time Thunder absentee Janis Ivanovskis is set to resume practice this week but will likely make his season debut in the New Year.
Everton, seeking a replacement guard, could now make a move for former BBL MVP Trey Moore. The American is understood to have been offered to a number of teams but the Tigers are the most likely to hand him a deal.
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Showing posts with label worthing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worthing. Show all posts
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Worthing boss warns against self-destruction
“If we can cut down on our handling errors, read each other and the opponent a little better on offence, and keep playing with the heart and commitment in the effort areas that we've shown recently, then we can surprise our opponent,” he said.
Titmuss confirmed that Reggie Bratton and Sherrad Prezzie Blue – along with long-term absentee Janis Ivanovskis – will again miss out.
“Janis may not suit-up for us until the Yew Year although he is making good progress,” he added.
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Worthing set to sign Schmidt
Worthing Thunder have lined up a move for American point guard Jon Schmidt amid an injury crisis that threatens to derail their promising start.
With regular starter Sherrad Prezzie-Blue sidelined for a month with a broken bone in his wrist – and impressive swingman Reggie Branton likely out two weeks with a foot injury - head coach Dave Titmuss is looking to sign Schmidt on a short-term basis.
Schmidt, who has an Irish passport, played last year for Long Island University.
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Titmuss looking for bench help
New Worthing Thunder head coach Dave Titmuss has refused to get carried away with his team’s promising start to the BBL campaign.
The south coast outfit, in their second campaign in the league, thrashed Plymouth by 20 points in their opener last weekend and will look to double their count with a trip to unimpressive Sheffield on Friday.
Titmuss, the former GB wheelchair boss, has been praised by his fellow playcallers for recruiting a solid starting five to the Thunder but he wants contributions from his bench.
“Even though it's early in the season and we're certainly nowhere close to being settled as a team, I'm looking to establish key roles for everyone on our roster because I don't think 'depth' is just about having back-up,” he said.
“I think it's about recognising what each of our guys brings to the table and then finding a way of maximising that available talent in any given combination on court.
“All of the guys made positive contributions to our win against Plymouth last Saturday and we're looking to build on that this week.”
Friday, 25 September 2009
Bar raised as new campaign tips off
So after four months of eager anticipation (OK, perhaps mild longing), the new BBL season starts tonight with defending champions Newcastle getting us all under way against Cheshire at the Metro Arena.
Is anyone ready to break the Eagles' monopoly at the top of the tree? Talking to a lot of coaches and players this week, the answer - candidly - is no. However, looking at the rosters, and some pre-season insights, the message heading into this campaign is that there are more teams out there who could - in theory - beat anyone on any given night.
Discounting the ever-shambolic London Capital, and youthful newcomers Essex Pirates, and the 11 other teams appear to have come a little closer together than before.
Newcastle, despite the advantage they possess in continuity, are one down from last term. Everton have been forced into a late rush, and will field an almost wholly new line-up. Guildford and Plymouth are similarly less deep with Heat player-coach Chad McKnight having to learn his new trade on the job. And while the Glasgow Rocks (if they acquire a centre) and the Sheffield Sharks look improved, are either really good enough to challenge for the title?
That leaves Leicester, last season's upstarts, with the potential for leaping into the mix again despite the huge loss of Phil Missere. An unknown quantity again.
Worcester and Worthing, according to at least two rival coaches, will improve sheerly because of the change on the bench. Both should, our informal and unscientific survey says, challenge for a play-off spot.
Which leaves Milton Keynes and Cheshire. Both have opted largely for continuity with 1-2 new faces. At some point though, regeneration is required. I'm not sure either have done enough to mould themselves into a top-eight squad even if Lions coach Vince Macaulay has been talking up their chances.
So that takes us back to Newcastle. It's an easy choice after all. Proven quality, track record, off-court savvy. They may lose 10 games this year but there are multiple reasons why the Eagles remain our favourites. And that's why my money goes on them.
PREDICTED TABLE (check back in April to see how wrong it was)
1. Newcastle
2. Everton
3. Glasgow
4. Leicester
5. Sheffield
6. Plymouth
7. Worcester
8. Milton Keynes
---------------------
9. Guildford
10. Worthing
11. Cheshire
12. London
13. Essex
Is anyone ready to break the Eagles' monopoly at the top of the tree? Talking to a lot of coaches and players this week, the answer - candidly - is no. However, looking at the rosters, and some pre-season insights, the message heading into this campaign is that there are more teams out there who could - in theory - beat anyone on any given night.
Discounting the ever-shambolic London Capital, and youthful newcomers Essex Pirates, and the 11 other teams appear to have come a little closer together than before.
Newcastle, despite the advantage they possess in continuity, are one down from last term. Everton have been forced into a late rush, and will field an almost wholly new line-up. Guildford and Plymouth are similarly less deep with Heat player-coach Chad McKnight having to learn his new trade on the job. And while the Glasgow Rocks (if they acquire a centre) and the Sheffield Sharks look improved, are either really good enough to challenge for the title?
That leaves Leicester, last season's upstarts, with the potential for leaping into the mix again despite the huge loss of Phil Missere. An unknown quantity again.
Worcester and Worthing, according to at least two rival coaches, will improve sheerly because of the change on the bench. Both should, our informal and unscientific survey says, challenge for a play-off spot.
Which leaves Milton Keynes and Cheshire. Both have opted largely for continuity with 1-2 new faces. At some point though, regeneration is required. I'm not sure either have done enough to mould themselves into a top-eight squad even if Lions coach Vince Macaulay has been talking up their chances.
So that takes us back to Newcastle. It's an easy choice after all. Proven quality, track record, off-court savvy. They may lose 10 games this year but there are multiple reasons why the Eagles remain our favourites. And that's why my money goes on them.
PREDICTED TABLE (check back in April to see how wrong it was)
1. Newcastle
2. Everton
3. Glasgow
4. Leicester
5. Sheffield
6. Plymouth
7. Worcester
8. Milton Keynes
---------------------
9. Guildford
10. Worthing
11. Cheshire
12. London
13. Essex
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Worthing's Titmuss aiming high
New Worthing Thunder coach Dave Titmuss is aiming to earn the franchise's first play-off berth this season, focusing heavily on defence to push the south coast side out of the BBL basement.
The ex-GB wheelchair supremo, who succeeded Gary Smith, put his team through its paces last weekend but admits they are under-prepared for Saturday's opener against Plymouth.
Worthing suffered a blow when Lithuanian forward Janis Ivanovskis was ruled out for up for three months due to a back injury, switching the focus to American signings Reggie Bratton, Sherrad Prezzie-Blue and Kadiri Richard.
"At the moment we are not as prepared in terms of team play as we will be in a month or two because I've not had the guys together very long, but there are some good early signs," said Titmuss.
"None of our new guys are proven at the BBL level; in fact only Dan Hildreth, James Brame and Dan Midgley have any experience of the League, so I think there will be a steep learning curve. However, we do have very committed guys who want to make Thunder the most improved franchise in the BBL and I think we've got a shot at doing that."
The ex-GB wheelchair supremo, who succeeded Gary Smith, put his team through its paces last weekend but admits they are under-prepared for Saturday's opener against Plymouth.
Worthing suffered a blow when Lithuanian forward Janis Ivanovskis was ruled out for up for three months due to a back injury, switching the focus to American signings Reggie Bratton, Sherrad Prezzie-Blue and Kadiri Richard.
"At the moment we are not as prepared in terms of team play as we will be in a month or two because I've not had the guys together very long, but there are some good early signs," said Titmuss.
"None of our new guys are proven at the BBL level; in fact only Dan Hildreth, James Brame and Dan Midgley have any experience of the League, so I think there will be a steep learning curve. However, we do have very committed guys who want to make Thunder the most improved franchise in the BBL and I think we've got a shot at doing that."
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