BBL Team of the Week – Week 10
It was a great weekend for Newcastle Eagles and they see three players make our starting five this week.
Damon Huffman (Newcastle Eagles)
The playmaker showed his versatility with an outstanding shooting performance for the Eagles as they jumped a sizeable distance towards the BBL Cup Final, after a wonderful semi-final first leg success at UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders. Along with his team-mate Charles Smith, Huffman was on fire from downtown and made five triples on his way to 29 points. He also managed to claim five rebounds and three assists to help his team get close to a return to the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham next month.
Chavis Holmes (Surrey Heat)
It’s a red-letter day for Chavis Holmes as the Heat guard takes the distinction of becoming the very first player this season to rack up a fourth appearance in the BBL Team Of The Week. His latest performance which helped him to make the grade came in a comfortable road victory at struggling Mersey Tigers. He was fine fine form as the visitors cemented their place at the heart of the title race. Holmes produced an all-action and generally excellent line of 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists and six steals to lead his team to victory.
Charles Smith (Newcastle Eagles, pictured)
One of the most instantly recognisable faces in the BBL, the Eagles’ veteran had had to wait ten weeks to grab a first Team Of The Week spot, but announced his arrival in style with the best display of the weekend. He evoked memories of last seasons’ BBL Cup Final by putting Raiders to the sword and pouring in 29 points, including six three-pointers. In a devastating performance that helped put the holders to get within touching distance of another Final appearance, he also added seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Smith is also the sixth Eagles player to be included this year so far.
Anthony Rowe (Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders)
It’s been a miserable few days for UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders. In addition to their BBL Cup hopes being left hanging by the thinnest of threads, salt has been rubbed into their wounds by former favourite and Plymouth born forward Anthony Rowe who walks straight into the BBL Team Of The Week after a terrific debut with Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders. Rowe produced the second best performance of the weekend, with a clinical double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds against Durham Wildcats. He made an excellent 9 of 12 from the floor on his debut appearance to make our selection, and to also give his ex-employers a quick and early reminder of exactly what they’re missing.
Darius Defoe (Newcastle Eagles)
The centre claimed a second BBL Team Of The Week appearance of the season after helping his side rack up a convincing home win against Cheshire in the BBL Championship last Friday night. Defoe was the standout performer as the Eagles cruised to the win. He recorded a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds to take full advantage of a threadbare and undersized Cheshire side. Defoe followed up this impressive effort with a solid cameo in the semi-final Cup success at Plymouth 48 hours later.
Off The Bench: Orlan Jackman (London Lions), Pavol Lasonsky (Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders), Jeremy Bell (UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders), Alex Owumi (Worcester Wolves), Duane James (London Lions), Colin O’Reilly (UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders), Stanley Occiti (Worcester Wolves)
