Cheshire Phoenix and Caledonia Gladiators will renew their British Basketball League rivalry on Sunday in their second match in 48 hours.
The Phoenix recovered from a poor first quarter to rise above the Gladiators on Friday night in Scotland, winning 92-83.
That win surely stoked a fire inside Caledonia, not just wanting to bounce back but also possibly motivated after Phoenix’s post-game score graphic on social media.
This post referring to the Gladiators’ highly praised pre-season documentary on the BBC.
Without question, part two of this rivalry will be hotly contested and one not to be missed.
Phoenix’s bench stars
Friday’s battle was reasonably even, statistically, as both teams shot 45% from the field, and Caledonia got the best of their counterparts from three-point range.
However, what turned the tide in Cheshire’s favour was their bench play and capitalising on 17 Gladiators’ turnovers.
This while managing to keep their own down.
Known for not running a bench high on depth, coach Ben Thomas has flipped the script, running a nine-deep roster that understands their roles.
This was proven when faced with a deficit; they fought back as a team and were unbeatable once they took the lead in the second quarter.
The Phoenix bench out-scored the Gladiators’ bench 34-19 and scored 18 points off 17 Caledonia turnovers while committing just seven of their own.
The starters played their part, but the bench stood out, and coach Thomas will want more of the same on Sunday.
A new Caledonia?
Caledonia Gladiators’ schedule has gotten lighter as they narrowly missed out on the Second Round of the FIBA Europe Cup, exiting with a respectable 3-3 record.
Their elimination leaves them free to concentrate on British Basketball League action.
Undoubtedly, they will look to get one over on the Phoenix, who have had their number since the Trophy Final in March.
The Gladiators have not beaten their counterparts in their last three meetings since March.
And that will be something head coach Gareth Murray – himself a former Cheshire player – will want to fix.
Ian DuBose was in fine form on Friday, shooting 75% from three-point range for his game-high 21 points.
Fahro Alihodzic ably supported securing a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Gladiators fans, however will want more from talisman Patrick Whelan, who had a rare off-night.
The GB international shooting 4/15 from the field – all from distance – but missing 11 attempts.
Every player has an off-night, Whelan – who averages 14 points a game – will make sure he is firing on all cylinders in the North-West to avoid a second.
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