by Vlad Ionasc

The Nix will look for their second win in the regular season as they tip-off 2021 with a trip to Scotland, where they’ll take on Gareth Murray’s Glasgow Rocks.

Cheshire will come into the building on the back of a two-week break, after the fixture against the Manchester Giants, which was originally scheduled for the 27th of December, was postponed due to a positive COVID-19 case in the Giants camp.

The Rocks suffered their fourth loss in the BBL Championship against the Newcastle Eagles on the 27th of December and are currently winless at home in the regular season.

Sol Rolls-Tyson has been ruled out of the game with a long-term injury.

Pharroh Gordon will also sit out his third straight game.

GAME DETAILS 

Date: Sunday, 3rd January, 2021

Tip-off: 3 p.m.

Competition: BBL Championship

Where: Emirates Arena

How to watch: BBL Player

The BBL Player is the new one-stop-shop for all BBL action as you can watch every club and every game (excluding Bristol’s home games) live and on-demand for £19.99 per month. Alternatively, single-game passes are priced at £4.99.

Because of how the BBL is structured, all the money from the BBL Player goes directly to the clubs, so make sure to select the Cheshire Phoenix as your ‘club to support’ when registering, as all the revenue will help carry the club through this incredibly difficult period of financial insecurity.

ROCKS SCOUTING REPORT

The Rocks triumphed in both meetings against the Nix in the BBL Cup and thus qualified for the Quarter-Finals of the competition, where they were eventually stopped by the Leicester Riders, 93-59.

Murray strengthened his roster by adding the 7-foot center Ronald Delph and North Carolina alum Christian Keeling on the 23rd of December. Keeling debuted with a 26-point outburst against the Eagles.

Glasgow’s sole victory in their last six games came on the road against the Plymouth Raiders.

The Rocks are shooting just 42.1% from the floor and 29.5% from three-point territory in the regular season.

Isa Brandon leads the Rocks in scoring with 14.2 points on 60% FG.

The Scottish side has a 2-2 record at home in all competitions this season.

The Rocks have won four out of the last five meetings between the two sides.

KEY PLAYERS

Glasgow Rocks: Christian Keeling – The 6-foot-3 shooting guard spent his senior year at North Carolina, one of the most prestigious and storied college programs in NCAA history. Keeling had an impressive debut for the Rocks as he poured in 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting against the Eagles. He will have to replicate that performance and hope that his teammates also chip in a little more in order for the Rocks to pick up their second win in the regular season.

Cheshire Phoenix: Jalen Hayes – Cheshire’s captain will look to improve on his last outing against the Rocks. Hayes tallied 16 points, four rebounds and four assists on Nov. 22, however he shot just 41% from the field and 28% from three-point distance, whilst also committing two turnovers. The Nix rely on Hayes being efficient and impactful at both ends of the floor, so it’s vital that the 6-foot-7 American provides his side with a top performance tonight.

COACH’S CORNER

Ben Thomas: “It’s a New Year and we’re hoping to get off to a winning start! 

“Glasgow have improved their roster over the last couple of weeks and today will be a really tough test for us! 

“We’ve had some really good practices this week and we want to see some of those things we’ve been working on in today’s game!”

NEXT HOME GAME

The Nix are next in action at the EPSV against the Sheffield Sharks, on the 10th of January, 5 p.m. tip-off.

GO PHOENIX!