The Newcastle Eagles men’s team have their first SLB Championship home game on Friday night with the visitors to the Vertu Motors Arena being the Cheshire Phoenix with a 7:30pm tip-off scheduled.

Phoenix have already played twice on the road this season losing narrowly at Manchester and London and will be desperate to avoid a 3-defeat start to the campaign.

For The Eagles it’s a chance to build on their thrilling opening game overtime win at Caledonia on Sunday when they came from behind to take a victory on the road with a late run to level the game and then carry that momentum into the extra five minutes.

Head Coach Marc Steutel began his preview of the Cheshire game by reflecting on the Gladiators game.

“It was a gritty character win. I was please we were able to get the outcome as it was a game we didn’t really control for long periods so that was a real positive.”

“I thought the guys showed real character and togetherness to steal a win on the road. It’s a tough place to go and play so to come away with a win is a positive.”

Much was made of the performances of Marco Anthony and Maceo Jack in that road victory. Particularly as neither had managed to get any pre-season minutes in with their teammates.

Steutel rightly praised the pair but was keen to point out the rest of the team and their contributions to the winning start to the season.

“Marco and Maceo along with everybody really contributed so another positive. I thought we did a good job on finding a way to be effective in key moments of that game.”

“As I said the impact of Marco and Maceo was great but the impact of someone like Mitch did a great job defensively and changing the tempo.

“Josh and Cole I thought were really solid as well and Ray did a good job of scoring the ball and distributing. There were many strengths across the game beyond Marco and Maceo as well.”

Turning to the Phoenix the Eagles play-caller is well aware of their capabilities and the challenge they bring but is confident that his team are ready to face them.

“Cheshire have already played two games and by Sunday will have played four across the opening week of the season. They’re playing good basketball and have had two narrow losses against two really good teams in Manchester and London.”

“I think it shows the strength in depth of the league. I think everyone knows the type and way that Cheshire plays, the type of basketball they play. They are fast paced. They shot 40 3s v Manchester and they’re a transition team.”

“We have to make sure we play a really solid game. We defend by committee and that we’re really locked into our game plan. Hopefully our fans get behind us and create an incredible environment in The Arena and we do all we can to get the win.”

The game has an extra dimension as Maceo Jack played for two very successful seasons at Cheshire last time he was in the UK.

It adds spice to what should be a blockbuster of an opening home debut for him and first 2025/26 SLB home game for his teammates as they go in front of their packed fan based in a sold-out Vertu Motors Arena.