Eagles very own Malik Cooke makes the 5 this week with Darius Defoe coming off the bench. The line-up this week is as follows:
Zaire Taylor (Worcester Wolves)
The playmaker moves into double figures after finding his way into our team for a tenth time, courtesy of a super performance in the win against Durham Wildcats. Taylor may have drawn a blank from the three-point line, but was a dazzling eight of ten at the basket on his way to 18 points. And, he also accrued a majestic 14 assists to complete yet another backcourt double-double. If that wasn’t enough, he wrapped up a fine night of work with six steals and four rebounds, for a highly productive performance valuation score of 35.
Reggie Middleton (Cheshire Phoenix)
It’s been a difficult few months for the Phoenix danger man who has struggled with an injury. But, he showed what a quality player he is with an exceptional 29-point performance against London Lions. The guard shot 60% from the floor which helped him to seal his place in our fabulous five for a fifth time. In a truly all-action effort, Middleton handed out four assists, picked up four rebounds, grabbed two steals and showcased his athleticism with a tremendous three blocked shots. It also highlighted why having him firing on all cylinders will be so vital to the BBL play-off prospects of his team.
Malik Cooke (Esh Group Eagles Newcastle)
Standing on the brink of the BBL Championship, Cooke has certainly come up trumps down the season stretch and has arguably been the key player in a succession of clutch victories for the Eagles. That is emphasised by him not only picking up his fifth berth of the campaign, but the fact that it is his third appearance in the space of four weeks. He produced the goods in a critical win against fellow title contenders One Health Sharks Sheffield, displaying his all-round skills and versatility by grabbing a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds. The big number within this haul was five priceless offensive rebounds, while he also had two blocks and two steals.
Victor Moses (Cheshire Phoenix)
The Phoenix forward is back for his fourth BBL Team of the Week slot in just five weeks and his thirteenth in total. Missing out last week, Moses was at his brilliant best in the success against London Lions, accumulating 25 points and also demonstrating that he has some range after successfully sinking a perfect three of three from long-rage. He also shot over 58% under the hoop where he is at times unstoppable, pulled down seven rebounds and snapped up a couple of steals to reiterate why he has won three Molten BBL Player of the Month awards during his rookie season in the league.
Will Creekmore (Worcester Wolves; pictured)
The centre produced the best performance of the entire weekend in the victory against the Wildcats to clinch appearance number fourteen this season. Creekmore wreaked havoc in the paint and harvested a performance valuation of 39. That was because he produced an eye-bulging 36 points and 17 rebounds, a double-double which was spectacular by his own high standards. He also claimed two steals and two blocked shots, as well as mustering the third best display of the week with 33 points and 12 boards against the Giants.
Off the bench – Rod Brown (London Lions), Anthony Downing (Leicester Riders), Alex Owumi (Worcester Wolves), Dominique Coleman (Cheshire Phoenix), Donald Robinson (Plymouth University Raiders), Darius Defoe (Esh Group Eagles Newcastle), Callum Jones (Manchester Giants)
