Wildcats' Flaherty enters a battle (From The Northern Echo)

Wildcats' Flaherty enters a battle

12:10pm Friday 17th February 2012 in Sport

DURHAM WILDCATS go into their derby against Newcastle Eagles tonight with ‘warrior’ Mario Flaherty in rude form.

The 6ft9in centre took a double double against Leicester, earning the warrior plaudit from coach Dave Elderkin.

And tonight Flaherty faces up to his biggest battle yet – going head-to-head with Team GB hopeful Andrew Thomson and the club hoping to clinch a second clean sweep this season.

“Newcastle are everything I expected them to be and more,” said Flaherty.

“They’re so effective and win so many games because they know exactly what to expect from one another.

“If they’re down in a quarter or down at the half they don’t panic. Every player knows what his role is and they just get the job done.

“Nobody is ever asked to play outside their comfort zone because their teammates play their roles so well.

“From the moment I saw them in the first game at Newton Aycliffe I’ve been impressed.

Every time I see them it simply confirms why they are where they are.”

Durham’s new look roster has taken time to adapt to the rigours of top flight hoops.

But five months into their rookie campaign and the Wildcats are bonding fast.

“There is a very positive chemistry on this team,” added Flaherty. “Some of us live together and go to school together. We all socialise together and of course we practise and play together.

“The amount of time we’re living in and out of each other’s pockets means it’s only a matter of time before that bond is there.

“I’m not saying we’re at a level that Newcastle are at.

How could we be? But we’ve reached a point where I can say with some confidence that Durham’s best basketball is yet to come.”

Mersey Tigers’ recent run of form has piled the pressure on Durham where any lastgasp playoff charge is concerned.

And if the Wildcats’ camp believes a top eight finish is still possible Flaherty prefers to take a measured view.

“I’m not going to make any predictions about where we could end up this season,” he added. “Once you start setting long term targets you lose short term focus. For me the Newcastle game is all I’m thinking about.’’