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Cheshire Phoenix vs Surrey Scorchers – Preview

by Vlad Ionasc

Cheshire Phoenix will aim to build on their BBL Trophy win over Plymouth when they’ll take on the Surrey Scorchers for the very first time in the 2021/22 season later this evening.

The Scorchers have lost their past three games, however they did pick up a win over the London Lions on New Years Day.

Ben Thomas’ men will aim to improve their regular season record to 6-8 while Creon Raftopoulos’ side will look for their second regular season victory (currently 1-7 after eight games).

GAME DETAILS

Date: Friday 28th January, 2022

Tip-off: 7:30 p.m.

Competition: BBL Championship

Where: Surrey Sports Park

How to watch: BBL Player

SCORCHERS SCOUTING REPORT

Photo by Surrey Scorchers

The Scorchers are currently 1-7 in the BBL Championship, with their only win coming against the London Lions on New Years Day.

Surrey crashed out of the BBL Cup following a 92-95 loss against the Manchester Giants and also bowed out of the BBL Trophy in the First Round after a disappointing 93-98 loss against NBL side Derby Trailblazers.

Raftopoulos’ men are 4-13 in all competitions this season (2-7 at home).

The Scorchers are tied with the Plymouth City Patriots for the second-worst offense in the league (72.8 points-per-game).

The hosts are dead last in field-goal (38.7%) and three-point accuracy (28.7%). They also convert free-throws at the second-worst rate in the league (66.7%), with only the Bristol Flyers below them (64.7%).

The Scorchers rank first in overall rebounds (38.4) and also obtain the most offensive rebounds (12) per contest.

As a team the Scorchers average the least assists (15.3) and most turnovers (17.1) per game.

Surrey veteran forward Tayo Ogedengbe leads his team in scoring with 15.8 points-per-game.

Saiquan Jamison leads the BBL in rebounds with 15.6 boards per contest.

Former Phoenix guard Jules Dang-Akodo is Surrey’s primary facilitator, as he’s currently averaging 5.1 dimes per night.

KEY PLAYERS

Photo by Surrey Scorchers

Surrey Scorchers: Jules Dang-Akodo — The ex-Phoenix guard hasn’t enjoyed a great start in Surrey, as he’s currently averaging just 6.9 points on 32.7% shooting from the floor, however he will be raring to go up against the Nix for obvious reasons. Dang-Akodo will have to produce a sublime performance at both ends of the floor in order for his team to pick up their second win in the regular season.

Cheshire Phoenix: Levi Bradley — The American forward has been in good form recently, as he’s finished in double-digit scoring in all of his last six games in all competitions. Bradley will be tasked with defending Ogedengbe — Surrey’s main scoring threat — for the majority of the night so he will have to deliver a good performance at both ends of the floor tonight.

Photo by Adam Day

COACH’S CORNER 

Photo by Adam Day

Ben Thomas: “Tonight will mark our first match-up against a very dangerous Surrey side. We need a complete team performance at both ends of the floor to make sure that we come out with the result we need!

NEXT HOME GAME

The Nix are next in action at the EPSV against the Glasgow Rocks (5:30 p.m. tip-off) in the BBL Championship on the 6th of February. Tickets are now on sale!

 

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