Eagles set up for thrilling end to season
Mar 27 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
NEWCASTLE Eagles begin a season-defining mini-series against Everton Tigers in Liverpool on Sunday, but first they must deal with a Chester Jets side boosted by the return of key players and out for revenge tonight.
Fortunately, managing director Paul Blake does not believe complacency is in the make-up of the best Eagles team he has seen.
And while he sees the Tigers as a top team at its peak, he believes his own will continue to improve next season – and plans to give them the chance to do so.
“It’s important they’re not complacent about the Chester game but I don’t think it’s in the nature of this team,” said Blake. From there, who knows? Sunday is going to be an interesting game but if we can win both matches against Everton, we can pretty much put it (the title race) to bed.
“Everton’s form has been a little patchy, but I wouldn’t want to read anything into that. There’s no question their players will get up for two games like this. But if we can do the job on Sunday it will take a little bit of pressure off for Tuesday.”
The Eagles have hit form at the right time, winning their last 11 games for their best sequence this season.
Everton are second in the British Basketball League, four points behind Newcastle with a game in hand. The sides are yet to face one another in the league this term but met in the two-leg semi-finals of both knockout competitions, winning a tie each.
They play in Liverpool on Sunday, with a return on Tuesday and a final meeting on the season’s penultimate weekend. It makes for a thrilling climax but one Blake insists has come about by chance. “On both occasions we met them in the cups, we were due to play them in the league during the two-week slots for the games,” he said.
“So it was easier for us to say let’s change the league games to cup games and get new dates later in the season. It wasn’t engineered in any shape or form. But it’s made it interesting, hasn’t it?
“In the regular season we will have played them seven times, then maybe again in the play-off final. That would be fantastic because they have all been cracking games so far.
“Everton look very strong, if not stronger than us because they’ve got more experience. But that’s a great opportunity for us.
“In the first half of the season I was relaxed because we were in a transition. Even if we hadn’t won something I could see the merit in keeping things together.”
As a result, Blake has few changes planned for the summer, and is hopeful the credit crunch will not interfere.
“The really good thing about this team is it’s got a future,” he said. “I see absolutely no reason why would want to break any of this squad up in the summer.”
The Eagles beat Chester 87-73 at Newcastle Arena last week, but player-coach Fabulous Flournoy anticipates a much tougher proposition tonight. “(Alto) Virgil went off against us last week, but having Phil (Perre) back is the key. He’ll allow their forwards to play better as they’ll be guarding guard of their own size, and their production will be much better.”
