‘Improved Shot Selection Will See Flyers Flourish’

After only one BBL league game I can’t yet criticise Flyers of forming a habit of pushing games to the wire despite two very close pre-season losses and Saturday’s late comeback against Surrey Scorchers which slipped from their grasp in the dying seconds.

Poor Shot Selection Costs Flyers

Basketball is often a game of ‘runs’. Momentum shifting from one team to another, often ignited by a seemingly small catalyst such as a team mate taking a charge or completion of a ‘3-point-play’.

Saturday night’s close loss was no exception. A mid-3rd quarter run by Flyers fired up the crowd at WISE but was not enough to overcome sustained poor three point shooting (20%) over the forty minutes.

Although Flyers were able to outscore Surrey in the paint (36-32), over-reliance on long range shooting proved frustrating, especially in the first half. Once Flyers started to score on the break and Streete was able to penetrate to the basket, the game was there for the taking. Flyers need to learn to keep the pressure on and secure the win.

Positives In Defeat

Still, in the face of defeat there are many positives to be taken from Saturday which Flyers must now build on taking them into next weekend’s tough double header. Cardell McFarland showed the WISE crowd why he was brought to Bristol by Coach Kapoulas, making plays almost effortlessly on the offensive end for 23 points. The second half saw him fade in and out of the game a little as he was unable to see the ball due to struggling team offensive execution.

Despite Edozie’s visible frustration with his touch around the basket on Saturday night, he pulled down an impressive sixteen rebounds. If paired with another import big man, this number could well rise; a scary prospect for defences who will have the tiring job of trying to keep him off the glass.

Mathias Seilund worked tirelessly on both ends making important contributions that won’t stuff the stats sheet but will make any team better. His three steals and six rebounds were only marred by an under-par shooting night. If he keeps up his current work rate, a few more shots are bound to drop making him a fantastic all round asset.

It’s great to see Doug McLaughlin-Williams back in the country and ready to play next weekend – Flyers really missed his composure from the field, a major factor in their poor three point performance.

A disappointing start to the season then, but with some added composure, the signs are there that Flyers could well be a force to be reckoned with this season in the BBL.

Flyers travel to Worcester Wolves this Friday before facing Cheshire Phoenix at the SGS WISE Arena on Saturday night – click here to buy tickets.

Written by Tom Hutchinson - Tom played for Bristol Flyers from its inception in National League division three and was part of the roster that won promotions to divisions two and one before injury forced his early retirement.

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