Preview: Bristol Flyers v Cheshire Phoenix

Everything you need to know about Cheshire Phoenix can be found below.

CHESHIRE PHOENIX
After a 4th place finish in the BBL last season, the Cheshire Phoenix left their long-term home at the Northgate Arena, to the brand new Cheshire Oaks venue. Phoenix find themselves firmly in the race for the play-off places this season, sitting seventh in the BBL table on 22 points. Cheshire originally began life as Ellesmere Port Jets in 1986, joining the NBL Division Two and having a poor first season as they won just one of their eighteen games. An improvement the following season saw them win seven games, and they changed their name to Cheshire Jets – though they remained based in Ellesmere Port. They continued to improve, and lifted their first title in 1991, winning the NBL Division One.

HEAD COACH
John Lavery – Lavery takes control of the Phoenix one again following the departure of John Coffino over the summer. The former England international has had two spells as Head Coach of the Nix, leading them to the BBL Play-Offs on both occasions.

ONE TO WATCH
Akeem Ellis – The American point guard in fourth in the BBL this season for points average with 18.6. The 25 year old is in his debut season in the BBL having signed for Cheshire in August having previously played in the Canadian National Basketball League.

OFFICIALS
Taking charge of Friday’s game will be Piotr Florecki, Andy Thackray and Ian Spearman

LAST TIME OUT
Flyers picked up a 72-58 win on the road thanks to a big performance from Tyrone Lee.

FORM
Flyers: LLWLL
Phoenix: WLLWW

DID YOU KNOW
Bristol Flyers faced the Cheshire Phoenix back when they were still a division one club in 2013. The Flyers drew the Nix in the second round of the BBL Trophy, where they lost 85-56 after beating Surrey United in round one.