'Lee's Energy Can Win Games For Flyers'

Despite Saturday’s loss to Newcastle Eagles it’s been a positive week for Flyers, primarily because the team managed to bounce back from a very poor performance at Leeds Force to produce an emphatic mid-week showing at London Lions, securing that all important first win.

Added energy can turn losses to wins

No coincidence that the victory coincided with the acquisition of American forward Tyrone Lee who has brought much needed physical and verbal energy to the floor! You have to question whether Flyers would have lost some of those agonisingly close games with the addition of Lee.

Despite Lions missing their star forward Demond Watt through injury, Flyers have shown that they have the mental toughness to win away from home in the face of adversity.

Eagles a step too far

Unfortunately the momentum couldn’t see Flyers past the considerable hurdle of Newcastle Eagles at the SGS Wise Arena the following Saturday.

The defending BBL champions proved too strong, suffocating Flyer’s rhythm and timing on offense whilst remaining consistently calculated and methodical in their attacking approach. Newcastle’s play at times looked more akin to high level European basketball rather than the rough & tumble we’re accustomed to in the BBL, a style Flyers can look to emulate as the now complete team starts to gel with game experience.

After reports of Leeds limiting Cardel McFarland’s  effectiveness, my initial worry that teams had‘ figured him out’  were proved wrong by another two strong performances this week (25 and 18 points respectively). Mathias Seilund has continued to play with consistency and captain Greg Streete was also instrumental in the win at London posting a double-double.

100% record to continue?

Flyers now look forward to two must win games. This coming Saturday sees the team travelling south to Plymouth Raiders for the BBL cup first round fixture. Flyers need to maintain their 100% BBL winning record against their South West rivals in order to keep alive the chance of matching or bettering last year’s semi-final appearance.

Coaches Kapoulas and Burns then have almost a week to prepare to face Manchester Giants at home in the league, a game Flyers really need to win in order to put their shaky start behind them and start moving up the BBL league table.

Flyers travel to Plymouth Raiders in the BBL Cup this Saturday (7.30pm tip-off), before they return to home action against Manchester Giants at SGS WISE on Friday, October 23rd - click here to buy tickets online.

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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