Fab’s men can claim the title – Smith

Mar 12 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

CHARLES Smith has insisted that the Newcastle Eagles can claim the BBL Championship title – despite suffering an injury that may have ended his season.

The highly-decorated BBL veteran suffered a fractured kneecap during the Eagles’ trophy final defeat by Guildford two weeks ago, and will not be available for tonight’s home-court clash with the Sheffield Sharks.

He was forced to watch court-side as the Tynesiders edged their way closer to the championship title with back-to-back wins at the weekend over the Scottish Rocks and Birmingham Panthers. And the 32-year-old is adamant that his team-mates have enough in the tank to win the title.

“I’m not going to rush back but if everything goes to plan then there is a chance I will play again this season,” said Smith. “And I’m still hoping the team do well, whether I’m playing or not. We have a great chance with the team we have, because we are all interchangeable. The system is always the same, and everyone knows it, and is able to do it.”

For an in-form player who has slotted perfectly into Flournoy’s roster, the knee injury is a untimely disruption to a flying season. And the Rider University graduate last night spoke of his frustration at being sidelined.

“I’m coping fine and I’m getting around okay, but I’m a little disappointed not to be playing every week,” he added. “It’s hard to just watch when everyone else is playing. I’m out for another four to six weeks, but I have another scan tomorrow.”

Pressure continues to mount on the Eagles following their double final defeats this season. But Smith is a man who has won enough to have tasted success and disappointment.

In his eight-year spell in the BBL, he has won every major accolade with the exception of the BBL Cup. He has twice lifted the BBL Trophy, twice won the play-off finals and once ended the season as a title-winner. And he is now urging the Eagles to bounce back and close out the season on top of the pile.

He added: “It hit us hard at the time, but we know we are better than that. But it’s not like the season is over and that was our last game. We still have the league to win, and we have more games to rectify that loss.”

The Eagles will look to extend their nine-game unbeaten run tonight and strengthen their position at the top of the table. The Sharks, meanwhile, have endured a difficult campaign. There are seven places and 10 wins between the two sides.