This week five players from five different teams make up the BBL Team of the Week, including one Eagle
Jeremy Bell (UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders)
After their catastrophic BBL Cup Final performance, Raiders needed to get back their shattered confidence and return to winning ways in the BBL Championship. It was Bell who led the way as they secured a weekend win double against Guildford Heat and Cheshire Jets. Bell had two huge games and having poured in 27 points on Saturday night to help blow out the Heat, he returned 24 hours later and ensured a sense of déjà vu by shooting down his former team with another 27 point haul. Bell claimed six rebounds and three steals with his most important shot being a buzzer beating triple at the end of the third quarter which helped swing the momentum back the way of the hosts who had been trailing for much of the contest.
Sherrad Prezzie-Blue (Worcester Wolves)
It’s back to back appearances for the Wolves guard who has now appeared five times in the starting line-up and is consequently one of the frontrunners to grab the accolade of grabbing the most appearances this season. The playmaker has been in good form all year but has really picked it up during the last month or so. This time Prezzie-Blue produced the best performance of the week in the BBL with a magnificent double-double of 24 points and 10 assists against Cheshire Jets. He was a flawless six of six inside and made three triples as well as adding four rebounds to his line as the Wolves’ title charge and best season in the their history continues gathering momentum.
Joe Chapman (Newcastle Eagles)
Known around the league primarily for his shooting and scoring prowess, ask anybody involved with the Eagles and they will tell you it’s Chapman’s defence this season which has been the stand-out feature of his game and most critical to the success the team has attained so far. You have to go back to Week 4 for his last appearance but ‘Mighty Joe’ is back with a vengeance after torching local rivals Durham Wildcats for 28 points during the north-east derby. In fact, his contribution helped to dig the Eagles out of an almighty hole after trailing by double digits during the third quarter. Chapman also came up with seven assists, two rebounds and two steals in a typically influential performance.
Myles Hesson (Mersey Tigers)
It was a red letter day for Mersey Tigers last Sunday as they finally landed a first BBL Championship road win in terrific style by routing Glasgow Rocks at Kelvin Hall. While it was a great team performance, it was the all-action Hesson who produced the most pivotal display, something which helps him book his second BBL Team Of The Week appearance. Hesson secured a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds and showed his ability to score either side of the arc by making three triples from four attempts. Meanwhile he also set the tone defensively for his victorious team with three steals to help shatter the Rocks.
Daniel Northern (Prestige Homes MK Lions)
It’s a first appearance of the season in the line-up for the Prestige Homes MK Lions rebounding sensation who has found his way onto the bench numerous times but finally gets a starting five slot. The forward was the main tormentor of Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders after racking up a monstrous double-double of 16 points and 18 rebounds as Lions put a serious dent in Riders’ title ambitions and gave their own play-off bid a real shot in the arm. Northern has been one of the leading rebounders in the league all season and added three steals to his total in what was one of both his and also his team’s best performances of the campaign.
Off The Bench – Charles Smith (Newcastle Eagles), Mike Capocci (Durham Wildcats), Drew Sullivan (Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders), Fab Flournoy (Newcastle Eagles), Matt Schneck (Cheshire Jets), Mike Martin (Guildford Heat)
