Elliot Turner-Campbell
Preview: Cheshire Phoenix v Surrey Scorchers
The Phoenix are looking to get back to winning ways amid their surprising loss last weekend at home to the Bristol flyers.
The Nix are up against the Surrey Scorchers at home on Saturday 6th April, a team Cheshire haven’t lost against since 2021.
In the last match between the two in November ended in a 100-80 win for the Nix, featuring a very dominant display from Cheshires Aaryn Rai.
The Canadian went off for 25 points with a 75% field goal percentage, as well as his influence on the offensive end, the number 21 also managed two steals and a block back in November.
Form
In the last five games the Phoenix have won four of them with the only loss coming last time out when they lost at home to Bristol.
The Phoenix loss at home was an unusual blip, so they will be wanting to show how good they really are against the Scorchers.
Cheshire currently have two games in hand over the rest of the league however they still sit in second spot, they face third place Caledonia Gladiators on Sunday, wins in both these matches will all but guarantee second seed ahead of the playoffs.
As for Surrey, they have only won two of their last five games, they currently occupy the last playoff spot in eighth, a win for them last weekend secured them the playoffs for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
Team News
As far as the team is concerned, all players are fit and ready, however Cam Christon has missed the last two games with an ankle injury.
Coach Ben Thomas will be hoping Christon can return to the team this weekend however these games might have come around too early for the number one to make a return.
Player to Watch
Aaryn Rai, not only does he enjoy player the Scorchers, Rai has also been in scintillating form recently.
The Canadian put up 27 points, the highest of any player in his last game as well as a huge 13 rebounds, with three steals and two blocks, he was unbelievably dominant for the Nix.