Flournoy fearing a Rocks backlash

Oct 10 2007 The Journal

FABULOUS Flournoy is expecting the backlash of an under-achieving Scottish Rocks when his Newcastle Eagles side travel to the Braehead Arena tonight.

Flournoy’s men have consistently beaten the Rocks to all the major prizes in the British game – most notably in last April’s play-off final in which the Eagles clinched the spoils.

The BBL veteran and his balanced squad of experienced professionals and promising youngsters make the journey across the border to resume their long-running dog-fight with the Glasgow-based outfit this evening. But he is certain that if the Rocks find their feet this season they could end their run of playing second fiddle to Fab’s men.

Flournoy said: “It’s going to be a difficult game. We have built up a good local derby and this year we might meet them in the cup, the league and hopefully the play-offs. They are close to doing well and they came up short last year. They were so close, and so I think they are going to be a good side.”

The Eagles enter the contest with no injury worries and will look to get the upper hand in the first game between two teams already scheduled to play five times this season. But the Rocks have a new-look team this campaign. Following the departure of experienced German play-caller Thorsten Leibenath, Sterling Davies has taken the hot seat.

Flournoy said: “For Sterling a lot will depend on how well he adjusts to the team. I know how hard it is to go from being a player to being a coach. He needs to keep battling away at the job if he wants to do well.”

No one will be more ready for tonight’s clash than former Glasgow favourite Charles Smith, who controversially signed for the Eagles two seasons ago. The ex-Rider University star’s move did little to improve relations between two teams largely regarded as the ambassadors of British basketball.

The Eagles enter the contest on the back of an 11-day early season break and are bracing themselves for a gruelling run of fixtures in only six days, with trips to to Leicester and Plymouth and then a home clash with Everton next Tuesday.

“We have three tough away games in a short time. The travelling could be an issue but we’ve just got to give ourselves the name Road Warriors for the next week,” added Flournoy.

DAN WARBURTON