Author

Joel Osborne writes

Posted Thursday, March 7th 2019 @BristolSportJO

ITEC Weekend Preview - Flyers face home doubleheader

Thursday, March 7th 2019

Bristol Flyers face back-to-back home games this weekend as they look to climb up BBL Championship table.

The south west rivalry with Plymouth Raiders is renewed on Friday before Surrey Scorchers visit the WISE Campus for the first time this season on Saturday night.

Everything you need to know ahead of the weekend’s action can be found below.

BRISTOL FLYERS v PLYMOUTH RAIDERS

Bristol Flyers v Plymouth Raiders

Friday, March 8th 2019, 7.30pm

SGS College Arena

SOLD OUT

HEAD COACH

Paul James agreed a three-year deal as Plymouth's new head coach over the summer, following a nine-year spell with BBL rivals, Worcester Wolves. A veteran of the British basketball scene as a former player for his hometown team Leicester All-Stars in the 80s, James moved into coaching at Bracknell Tigers before making his name at Guildford Heat. James was named BBL Coach of The Year following a league and cup double in 2007, before leading the club into European competition the next season. Leaving Heat in 2009 James was then appointed Wolves head coach later that year.

Alongside a decorated career as an England international player and coach, James has dedicated much of his life to developing the sport at all levels and his passion for nurturing home grown British talent was instrumental in expanding the BUCS basketball programme at Worcester University between 2010-2017, which saw him win four consecutive Championship titles.

ONE TO WATCH

#15 Donte Nicholas - Returning to the league for his second spell with the Raiders, Donte Nicholas heads into this weekend averaging 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists per game. After leading Iserlohn Kangaroos to a fourth place finish in the German Pro-B last season, the American forward is leading the way for the Raiders this season, most recently notching a triple-double against the Surrey Scorchers last weekend.

LAST TIME OUT

Bristol Flyers took the early advantage in the season series, following a 10 point win over Plymouth in front of a sold out crowd at the SGS College Arena.

BRISTOL FLYERS v SURREY SCORCHERS

Bristol Flyers v Surrey Scorchers

Saturday, March 9th 2019, 7.30pm

SGS College Arena

LAST FEW TICKETS

HEAD COACH

Having led up the Scorchers franchise under it’s previous names Guildford Heat and Surrey Heat, Creon Raftopolous achieved a top-four finish with the team in 2012/13 and reached the BBL Trophy final in 2011, before being dismissed ahead of a takeover which saw the club’s name changed to Surrey United. Reforming under the Scorchers name in 2015, Raftopolous was reinstated as head coach following the takeover from Surrey Sports Park.

ONE TO WATCH

#5 Quincy Taylor - Surrey Scorchers’ Quincy Taylor has led the way offensively this season. His offensive prowess has given opposing defences issues all year long. Taylor is the ninth leading scorer in the league and he currently averages 18 points and five assists per game.

LAST TIME OUT

Bristol Flyers were unable to complete a double winning weekend, going down 102-97 after five minutes of overtime.

🎥 #BristolFlyers fall short to @surreyscorchers away from home in overtime, 102-97.

We've got all the highlights ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/jHPUmcTonG
— Bristol Flyers (@BristolFlyers) April 22, 2018