Heat target South West Raid

The Guildford Heat travel to Plymouth on Saturday for a must-win BBL Trophy game. The Heat lost their opening two Group games against the Worcester Wolves and the Plymouth Raiders on the opening weekend of the season. Both were narrow losses, in overtime on the road against the Wolves and by four points (91-95) at home to the Raiders.

Despite those losses, the group is finely poised and the Heat's fate is in their own hands. The Raiders beat the Wolves up in Worcester to put themselves in pole position, but the Wolves did the Heat a huge favour by winning down in Plymouth last weekend. This has left the Raiders and the Wolves joint top of the group on two wins with each having a game each to play against the Heat.

The Heat start by travelling down to Plymouth on Saturday and then host the Wolves on Wednesday. If the Heat lose to the Raiders on Saturday it's all over, but if they win and can beat the Wolves on Wednesday, then all three teams will finish with two wins and qualification for the semi-finals will come down to points difference.

Coach Creon knows what his team have to do:

"The Wolves have opened the door for us. We know it won’t be easy on their floor but a week ago we thought we were out of the Trophy. We have been given a lifeline and will go full out to take this opportunity.

"Gavin [Love] has put together good deep team and all their players are experienced at this level. Paul Williams and Anthony Rowe form a forward partnership that I think is as good as Defoe and Thompson for the Eagles. Colbert is a big player at the three and I know Jones is capable of a big shooting night if you let him get hot.

"The most important factor right now is not to doubt our ability. We have shown in most our games this season that we can compete with anyone. Once we get to understand each other’s roles on our team and improve our shot selection as individuals we will start picking up wins.

"We need to control the backboards, something that is not easy when a team has a size advantage over you but we have the addition of Herman Opoku which I know will help us improve our rebounding. We played some good transition, fast-breaking basketball in our last game against them and will try maintain an up-tempo style of game."

If you want to join Creon and the team, you can catch a ride on the team coach. It leaves the Surrey Sports Park at 1pm and costs just £20, including entry to the game. For more details or to book a place, please e-mail Peter Bowyer. 

(Preview courtesy of Guildford Heat)