After a two-week break, the Newcastle Eagles men’s team return to SLB Championship action at the Vertu Arena on Friday night against Cheshire Phoenix. It will be Phoenix’s third visit to Newcastle this season and the sixth time the two sides have clashed during the campaign.

Last time out the Eagles had a tremendous 99-72 victory at home against Surrey 89ers. A game that saw rookie American guard Ray’Sean Taylor create an Eagles individual scoring record. His astonishing 51 points helping to lead his side to a much-needed victory.

Head Coach Marc Steutel who hasn’t had the same break his players have after his international duties coaching the Great Britain National side against Italy previewed Friday’s game starting with what they have done during the gap in games.

“The international window was probably important for the group. Really good to get a pleasing performance and win right beforehand which was really positive. Guys have took care of their bodies although we’re still working through a couple of health, injury situations.”

“So, there might be a couple of game time decisions with a few of the players but that’s part of basketball. The guys have really just focused on practising well. Doing the simple things really well. Trying to have the right level of intent.”

“Defensive communication, defensive rotations, understanding where we’re helping from and how people are helping each other. Offensively our action are our actions now but still trying to get better and utilising other team’s defensive coverages and how we can exploit that.”

“That’s been a lot of the focus in practice which has been positive but they’re definitely ready for a game.”

That game sees Cheshire bring a second placed SLB standing of 14 wins and 10 defeats to Newcastle. They also lead the league series between the two clubs 2-1 and although they split the two-leg Trophy semi-final with a game each it was Newcastle that prevailed on aggregate.

“It’s a really important weekend for us with Cheshire on Friday and then Bristol away on Sunday. Cheshire we’ve seen a lot already this season so there should be no real surprises in both teams and personnel.”

“We have to really make sure we commit to our defensive identity in this game. They are a team that have a different pace and shot volume to most teams in the league. So, we have to make sure we slow them down where we can.”

“I’ve said to our guys that it’s easy for me to say but it’s difficult to go out there and do and I think that’s a credit to Cheshire. But we’re looking forward to the game. I thought our fans were electric at our last game so hopefully they can help us again.”

“Defensively we want to take pride on that side of the ball and then that will allow our offence to flow and grow in confidence and to make sure we’re playing the right way on that side. It’s an important game for us and I’m excited to get going.”

“I know we’ll compete at our highest level and hopefully that results in the outcome that we need.”

Every game is indeed important as the SLB comes to the business end of the season and it’s another tough double-header weekend for Steutel and his players. The action gets underway on Friday night in the Vertu Arena with the usual 7:30pm tip-off.

Limited tickets are still available from the box office.