by Vlad Ionasc
Cheshire Phoenix will travel to the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester to take on the Giants in a mid-week North-West Derby.
Kahron Ross, Pharroh Gordon, Sehill Mouliom and Eric Hamilton will not suit up for the Nix but Ben Thomas will be boosted by the return of Jalen Hayes and the instant availability of new recruit Mike McCall Jr.
GAME DETAILS
Date: Thursday, November 19th, 2020
Tip-off: 7 p.m.
Competition: BBL Cup
Where: National Basketball Performance Centre (behind-closed-doors)
How to watch: Manchester’s YouTube channel!
GIANTS SCOUTING REPORT
Last time out, Byrne’s men put on an absolute shooting clinic at the EPSV, as they made 55% of their attempts from the field, including a staggering 44% conversion rate from 3-point land.
Manchester’s bench proved to be loud and rowdy all night long and that energy seeped onto the court as the Giants obtained 24 fast-break points and also showed hustle on the defensive end as they accumulated eight steals and three blocks.
The Giants assisted on 19 of their 38 made baskets.
Every Giants starter tallied double-digit points by the end of the night, but the tandem of Jordan Whelan and Alex Ouandie stood out as they scored a combined 47 points on 50% FG and 44.4% 3PT.
The Mancunians played (and won 95-62) a private training game against the Bradford Dragons on the 12th of November, with Lyle Hexom’s 28 points leading all scorers.
KEY PLAYERS
Manchester Giants: Breaon Brady – Glasgow’s big men, Julius Van Sauers and Boban Jacdonmi each posted a double-double against the Phoenix as they punished Ben Thomas’ side for their lack of inside presence. At 6-foot-8, Brady is a little undersized for the center position but the former Houston Cougar will be pleased to know that his assignment – Sol Rolls-Tyson – is of the same stature and also doesn’t regard himself as a natural five.
Cheshire Phoenix: Mike McCall Jr – The former Giant received his FIBA clearance promptly, meaning that he’ll be able to suit up and make his Phoenix debut against his former team. McCall was averaging 16 points on 41.2% shooting from 3-point territory before Luxembourg’s Total League was suspended until January 1st 2021. McCall is proven in the BBL and he will most likely be tasked with limiting Cassell’s impact on Thursday night. Another 50-point outburst might be required from the 6’0 guard for the Nix to pick up a much-needed maiden win.
COACH’S CORNER
Ben Thomas: “Tonight will be another tough test for us with a very limited team, but it’s a North West derby and I know the guys will be ready to work hard!
“I’m looking forward to seeing the guys leave it all out on the court!”
NEXT HOME GAME
The Nix will conclude their BBL Cup pool-stage campaign at the EPSV, against the Glasgow Rocks, on the 22nd of November at 5 p.m.
GO PHOENIX!