BBL Team of the Week: Week 8
Statistically, Week 8 witnessed the best collective performance of the season. Three players grab second appearances, and two others make their debut.
Jeremy Bell (UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders; pictured)
It’s a second spot of the season for former MVP Jeremy Bell after the playmaker helped UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders bounce back from their disappointing loss at Riders on Saturday night to post a crushing victory at Durham Wildcats’ 24 hours later. Bell was in scintillating form offensively with 24 points and three assists, but he also did the dirty work defensively too. He came up with seven rebounds and two steals to show why he is rated as one of the best guards in the BBL.
Gage Daye (One Health Sharks Sheffield)
It’s been a fraught season for One Health Sharks Sheffield and it looked ready to take an unimaginable turn for the worse when they trailed at winless Mersey Tigers last Friday – that is until a timely intervention from Gage Daye. The guard was instrumental in a stunning second half performance by Sharks as they turned the game around and collected a comprehensive victory. Daye had 28 points including four triples, whilst also dishing up a creditable six assists to secure his debut place in our starting five.
Tayo Ogedengbe (London Lions)
The explosive Lions’ forward manages to make the BBL Team Of The Week for the second time this season after posting the best display of the weekend as London claimed a home win against Durham Wildcats. Ogedengbe was his usual energetic and all-action self with a super 27 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals. Wildcats found him far too hot to handle under the hoop as he dominated inside and took advantage of being sent to the line nine times which was the source of eight of his points.
Gareth Murray (Glasgow Rocks)
The Rocks are on a roll of late and finally coming alive in the BBL Championship with Gareth Murray a cornerstone of this positive change after a slow start to the season. He gets his second appearance of the campaign after helping his team claim an emphatic home win against London Lions. He not only landed an efficient double-double of 15 points and eleven rebounds, but he also managed to come up with six assists and two steals at the Emirates Arena as Rocks slowly but surely begin to establish themselves as potential silverware candidates.
Adrien Sturt (London Lions)
It’s a first BBL Team Of The Week appearance for Adrien Sturt who joins team-mate Tayo Ogedengbe after torturing Durham Wildcats with one of his best displays of the season. He was a real handful both inside the paint and from range, knocking down a couple of three-pointers to underline his versatility on his way to a 25 point haul. Sturt also completed a double-double by claiming 11 rebounds and completed an excellent night of work with four assists, a steal and a block.
Off The Bench – Matt Schneck (UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders), Frank Holmes (Surrey Heat), Stanley Ocitti (Worcester Wolves), Darius Defoe (Newcastle Eagles), Mike Tuck (One Health Sharks Sheffield), Drew Sullivan (Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders)
