Guards dominated during Week 6 of BBL action and not surprisingly, it’s reflected in a smaller than usual line-up which includes two debutantes.
Demarius Bolds (Prestige Homes MK Lions)
While Lions have endured a roller-coaster season so far, one of the few consistent factors has been the form of all-action guard Demarius Bolds. He makes the starting five for the second time in three weeks after a fantastic 37 point performance against Guildford Heat to lead his team to their first BBL Championship success this season. Bolds made an impressive 10 of 14 including 4 of 8 from downtown to add to 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks and a steal. Had he not spoiled his line with 8 turnovers then he would have undoubtedly racked up one of the highest efficiency scores of the season.
Ralph Bucci (Durham Wildcats)
Veteran guard Ralph Bucci grabs the first spot in our team for the Wildcats and quite aptly it comes due to the history making first ever BBL victory. The playmaker was central to their memorable and landmark success at Newton Aycliffe against Cheshire Jets by racking up a near double-double of 19 points and 9 rebounds to add to 3 assists and 3 steals. The former Teesside Mohawks player who has also played in the Greek top flight during his career showed his leadership and maturity by only turning the ball over once all game.
Cameron Rundles (Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders)
It’s been an exciting time for the combo guard who is in red-hot form right now and successive appearances reflect that fact. This is actually the third time he has made the line-up and consequently joins Justin Dobbins of the Sharks at the top of the leader board. He was in the shake-up for the Molten Player Of The Month award for October and that is also reflective of the great job he has done since arriving. He helped his team preserve their unbeaten status in the BBL Championship by helping to squeeze past Guildford Heat in a tight one, finishing with 30 points including six scores from the perimeter to add to his 6 assists as he continued to reveal himself as potentially the best combo guard in the BBL – or at least on current form.
Fab Flournoy (Newcastle Eagles)
It’s always an achievement for any player to make our line-up but for player-coaches, it takes that little bit extra effort. Fab Flournoy makes his first appearance of the season to further add to his Molten Coach Of The Month Award for October. Having shone in a coaching capacity, this time he was proving his value as a player in a hard fought victory over Prestige Homes MK Lions which moved his team to a commanding 4-0 at the summit of the BBL Championship table. Without playmaker Paul Gause, the whole team had to really step up and Flournoy did his bit at both ends of the floor with a superb 14 rebounds and 8 assists.
Matt Schneck (Cheshire Jets)
While his team has struggled to establish any kind of consistency as a unit, the individual performances of Matt Schneck have been impressive and even in the disappointment of defeat at Durham last Saturday, the forward was the standout for the visitors with a monstrous double-double of 25 points and 15 rebounds. Having fallen to Wildcats, Jets needed a big response at home to the in-form Glasgow Rocks 24 hours later as they tried to pick themselves up off the floor. Once again Schneck again came up trumps as he harvested his second double-double of the weekend with a superb 26 points and 15 rebounds.
Off The Bench – Andrew Bridge (Newcastle Eagles), Jeremy Bell (UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders), Nate Reinking (One Health Sharks Sheffield), Tayo Ogedegebe (Guildford Heat), Colin O’Reilly (Cheshire Jets), Justin Dobbins (One Health Sharks Sheffield)
