by Vlad Ionasc
Cheshire Phoenix will have the opportunity to bounce back from Friday’s defeat against the Eagles when they’ll take on the Surrey Scorchers later this evening.
The fixture also acts as a head-to-head decider, as the two sides are currently tied at one win apiece.
The last time Surrey defeated Cheshire at the EPSV was on April 8th, 2018.
GAME DETAILS
Date: Sunday 28th February, 2021
Tip-off: 5 p.m.
Competition: BBL Championship
Where: EPSV
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.
SCORCHERS SCOUTING REPORT
The Scorchers sit 10th in the BBL table, with a 3-10 record.
Surrey’s record away from home stands at 2-7 (all competitions).
The Scorchers have only picked up one victory in their last five regular season games.
The visitors rank seventh in offense (79 points-per-game) and have the leakiest defence in the BBL, at 89.2 points allowed per game.
Opposing teams are currently averaging 25 attempts-per-game from three-point range (most in BBL) against the Scorchers and are also shooting the highest percentage (37.8%) league-wide.
Creon Raftopoulos’ men average the fourth most shots from deep (24.2), however they’re only converting 30.9% of their attempts. Surrey are dead last in overall field-goal percentage (41%) but they’re the fifth most accurate team from the free-throw line (71.8%).
The Scorchers rank third in offensive rebounds, with 9.8 per contest.
Tony Hicks leads the Scorchers in points (14.1) and assists (4.6) per contest and is also one of their best three-point shooters (37.5% 3PT).
The No.1 UK prospect from the class of 2021 — Cameron Hildreth — joined the Scorchers on the 4th of February and is currently averaging 10.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3 assists.
Connor Cashaw is averaging 11.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists on a joint league-best 50% shooting from behind the arc.
The Scorchers have won just two of their last five meetings against the Nix.
KEY PLAYERS
Surrey Scorchers: Tony Hicks — The 2017-18 BBL Fans MVP currently leads his team in points and assists. Hicks poured in 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting in Surrey’s first trip to the EPSV on January 17th, however his team suffered an 87-92 defeat.
Cheshire Phoenix: Mike McCall Jr — The experienced guard exploded for 28 points (20 in the fourth quarter) on 7-of-8 shooting in the second meeting between the two sides. McCall’s role has changed since then, however the American has adapted well and he’s supplied the Nix with double-digit points in five out of the six games that he’s started on the bench.
COACH’S CORNER
Ben Thomas: “After a disappointing result on Friday in Newcastle we are looking for a response today. This is a must win game against a very talented Surrey team.”
We need to be locked in defensively and we have to out work them! With a chance to secure the head to head, we know exactly how important the game is.”
NEXT HOME GAME
The Nix will be back in action at the EPSV on Friday 5th of March, against the Leicester Riders in the BBL Championship. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.