The Newcastle Eagles head for the Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Sunday evening. They will face a home side thirsting for revenge. Last month the Cheshire Phoenix travelled to The Vertu Arena and a fine Eagles effort saw them defeated 88 – 70.
But past games often count for nothing once the ball is thrown up in anger in any game of basketball and this one is no different especially as Newcastle look to be fighting a bit of adversity.
A 91 – 77 loss on the road at Leicester on Friday night meant a third successive defeat in the SLB. A run Head Coach Marc Steutel and his players are desperate to stop. But it won’t be easy against a run and gun Phoenix outfit that will test them all the way.
Following Friday’s game The Eagles have injury concerns over a couple of vital components on their roster and it will be an on-day decision as to how much if any court time they can get from them.
Add in that new Shooting Guard Deion Hammond is still sweating on his eligibility. The 6’ 4” American was on the bench on Friday but only in a cheer leading capacity. His registration not confirmed despite the best efforts of Newcastle’s back room staff.
Even if Hammond gets clearance to play on Sunday it will be a big ask for him to hit the ground running after so little full practice time with his new teammates. It would though be another body to through at The Phoenix and one they are perhaps not expecting.
If no Hammond and those injuries are a factor it’ll be a tough task and ask for The Eagles to come away with a win. But Steutel knows his team are together and will fight for every second of the 40-minutes to try and come away with a positive result.
It’s a next man-up situation that is often called in basketball terms. When one goes down another must be ready to replace. That’s what Steutel and the loyal vociferous travelling support will be hoping for.
Steutel gave a little insight to the mindset required for the Cheshire game when he spoke after the Leicester defeat.
“I’m pleased that the group gets a chance to go on Sunday against Cheshire. Our amazing fans who were with us on Friday and we could hear them in a loud environment will hopefully get to see more of who we are on Sunday.”
“That fight and what it takes to play at this level, someone like Sauver Kande who I thought was excellent on Friday is what we need to continue to do and what we need from everyone on and off court.
The SLB Championship game tips off at 5:30pm on Sunday at The EPSV.
