1. Skip to Content
  2. Skip to Site Navigation
  3. Skip to Page Navigation
  4. Skip to Useful Links

Heat Double Header This Weekend

29 September 2011

Heat

The Heat get the 2011-12 season underway this weekend with a pair of games in the BBL Trophy. After a trip to Worcester on Saturday, the Heat make their home debut against the visiting Plymouth Raiders on Sunday. The game tips-off at 3 pm at the Surrey Sports Park and the Heat will be looking to get the new season off to a winning start.

The visit of Plymouth will be a real test for the Heat's new-look front-court. Joining Mike Martin are BBL newcomers Hermann Okopu and Kandi Mukole who will have the task of stopping a talented Raiders front-line led by power-forward, Anthony Rowe, who is back with Plymouth for another season. Joining him are ex-Heat centre, Tomas Janusauskas, who joined the Raiders over the summer, and Paul Williams, who was tempted away from the Sheffield Sharks.

However, the problems don't stop there, since the Raiders also have a talented back-court, with another ex-Heat player, James Jones, having recently signed. He joins small forward Lehmon Colbert and Raiders fan-favourite Anthony Martin, along with new recruits Ben Smith, Michael Ojo and Ryan Read. This gives Plymouth one of the strongest benches in the BBL, which means that Coach Creon and the team won't get a moment's let-up on Sunday.

Despite this strong line-up, Raiders coach, Gavin Love, now in his second year, is taking nothing for granted:

"The Heat have recruited extremely well and have all their key players returning which is a huge advantage In terms of continuity. Mike Martin and Julius Joseph are always key for the Heat."

The Heat and the Raiders have a strong rivalry, having joined the BBL within a year of each other. The Heat have played the Raiders a club record 33 times in all competitions, holding a narrow 18-15 edge in victories. Last season the two sides met five times, the Raiders coming out on top 3-2, but crucially, the home team won every game, which is a good omen for the Heat on Sunday!

If you want to come down and support Coach Creon and the team, you can get your tickets on-line or by calling the Heat Box Office on 01483 689111.