TADEA Lions Prepare For American Game This Sunday (From The Northern Echo)

TADEA Lions Prepare For American Game This Sunday

1:47pm Tuesday 31st August 2010 in TADEA Middlesbrough Lions

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TADEA Middlesbrough Lions are preparing for an unknown test this Sunday against American side; Menwith Hill Cavaliers. In what is a traditional pre season event, the Lions have beaten the Americans twice before, but with a different rotation of players year on year, you never know which side the Americans will have and after being beaten twice by the English, they are sure to be determined to settle a score.

TADEA Lions will be trialling two new players in this game with Tom Robinson and Cameron Sweeney both impressing Lions coach James Thomson when they played for Carlisle two weeks ago. After speaking with Panthers coach Pete Longworth, permission was granted to speak to the pair and after positive discussions they have been invited to train with the club and play on Sunday. “They are two players that will provide us with extra options on both defence and offence. We will see what happens over the next few days to a week.” Added Coach James Thomson.

Cavaliers coach; Charlotte Evans is hoping her side will gel in time for Sundays game, indicating they have not had much time to prepare as the new team is just coming together. The last meeting at Eston was a 3pt win to Middlesbrough with the Americans gathering pace toward the end to test the nerves of the Lions team and crowd.

Coach Thomson is expecting a tough encounter. “We know this is a charity game and everyone is pitching in to help out, but there is also the game itself and the inventors of basketball will not have taken kindly to being beaten twice by us. Therefore I am expecting a very tough game and we will have to be at our very best.

Regarding the squad, TADEA Lions will be without Lithuanian Mindaugas Krisciunas and young star John Ford, who really impressed in the second half against Derby last week. This may provide the talented Leo Cassidy with a good opportunity to make an impression while returning to the squad is big man Anthony Humes following a broken foot.

The game takes place at Eston Sports Academy and people are asked to be seated for 3.30pm. Entry is FREE if you collect tickets before game day.

Another bonus for the Teesside public has been the participation of American superstar Ralph Bucci. Bucci, from New York is regarded as one of the best players to play in British basketball and has spent the last 7 years playing professionally in Greece, most recently winning the A2 Championship with Iraklis.

In what is a rare opportunity to witness a genuine superstar in action, Bucci has agreed to play in TADEA Middlesbrough Lions games whilst in the country. Bucci is a good friend of Lions owner; James Thomson and has a wife and 1 year old son from Middlesbrough. “When James asked me to be part of this event and help raise the profile of basketball and Lions as well as money for such a worthy cause, I was happy to be involved.” Added the 33 year old.

For more information, please call 01642 814221 or visit www.middlesbroughlions.co.uk