Two games into pre-season and so far, so good. Indeed, perhaps so far very good may well be the call. Nothing can ever be perfect particularly as new players come into the building and have to learn each other’s play as well as bond as individuals.

But on the evidence of this performance, it seems as if Marc Steutel has put together a very exciting and explosive roster that has real depth and ability in its locker. Last week against a Newcastle Development squad the big win was expected. But Caledonia proved a different test.

The Gladiators being a fellow Super League Basketball (SLB) side that Newcastle will have to face in both the regular Championship season and the SLB Cup. If tonight’s performance and result is a guideline then the Eagles will be looking forward to those clashes far more than the Scots.

Everywhere you looked on Steutel’s 12-man deep roster there was a contribution. Academy players Jalen Shirley and Joseph Osarenkhoe even getting late cameos after their more senior teammates had blazed a path for them to tread down earlier in the piece.

By the end of a fast-paced high-octane 40 minutes Newcastle had no fewer than six players scoring in double-digits and a great spread of minutes enabling everyone to get important work into their legs.

Head Coach Steutel will not get carried away. It is early season and no doubt he will believe there is still a lot of work to do. But he must have been pretty pleased with what he saw and surely took a lot more positives than negatives from his side’s showing.

From the tip-off the Eagles played with real purpose, excellent energy and despite only being on a game court for the second time there was a great deal of cohesive commitment and togetherness. The players encouraging and supporting each other on court and from the bench at all times.

All five new import signings netted double figure scores led by guard Tavis ‘Pistol’ Smith who was irresistible in the first half when he scored 21 of his game-high 24-points. He certainly looks like a crowd pleaser the Eagles fans will warm too.

Last man in guard Blondeau Tchoukuiegno who only arrived in Newcastle on Wednesday also showed great promise and combined well with Smith. The inside work and efficiency at both ends of the floor of ;power forwards Trevond Barnes and Adam Hamilton was very impressive also.

Inside-out forward Cam Christon was the other newcomer in double figures along with Mitch Clarke. The Aussie returning for his second season with Newcastle starting the game and helping to set the platform for others to spring forward from.

Captain Josh Ward-Hibbert was solid as was third season Eagles veteran Cole Long and the energy brought by ex-Manchester guard Kyle Carey was also very infectious. All-round the Eagles looked coordinated and as if they really enjoyed themselves.

The Eagles simply started in 5th gear as they clawed their way to 40 big first quarter points whilst restricting a shell-shocked Gladiators side to a mere 17 points. The away side did manage to take the second period by 30 – 27 which will surely give Steutel some thoughts to put to his players.

But his side didn’t let up and responded to take the final two quarters after the half-time break. Finishing clinically and decisively down the stretch. As the game ticked towards its final minutes Newcastle had actually established a 37-point advantage at one stage being 114 – 77 ahead.

It was a statement of intent and one where perhaps even Caledonia will have learned as much about themselves as Newcastle did. For the Gladiators who did keep going throughout, Al-Amir Dawes and Christian shot the 3-ball very well and showed good promise.

But they were the only visitors to really make any impression on the game and that simply was not enough to stem the flow and flight of the high-flying Eagles on the night. Newcastle will now prepare to face Sheffield Sharks on Sunday in their final pre-season game with confidence high.

Tickets for the Eagles vs Sharks pre-season finale are still available on the box office and on the door.