Pre-Season Friendly Worcester Wolves 85-73 Reading Rockets

Worcester Wolves put forward a business-like performance to see off a determined Reading Rockets 85-73 on Sunday afternoon. A healthy number of fans were on hand at the University of Worcester Arena, eager to snatch a first glimpse of Coach Paul James’ new-look team.

Last campaign, Reading grabbed three of the four trophies on offer in the second tier of British basketball. Having retained the majority of their championship-winning squad, the Rockets were a stern pre-season test for Worcester, especially given that many players had only arrived in the city at the start of the week.

New point guard Chavis Holmes opened the scoring, followed by a couple of baskets for Wolves’ stalwart Jamal Williams. French forward Remi Dibo soon signalled that he will be a handy outside threat for his new club by sinking a triple of three-pointers, while American Robert Thurman bustled inside for consecutive scores.

A wraparound shot from former Cheshire Phoenix centre Donatas Visockis established a 26-14 cushion for the hosts as the initial quarter concluded. Wolves’ captain Alex Owumi opened his account as the second period began while, as it closed, guard Sean Park became the final debutant to trouble the scoreboard.

While James continued to experiment with his line-up, Reading took their chance to make inroads into the 43-34 half-time deficit. In the last minute of the third quarter they drew level at 59-59. The teams were still tied at 63-63, before Holmes pounced for successive steals and scores, prompting Worcester to draw away from their visitors. Thurman delighted home supporters by slamming the ball through the hoop, putting the icing on a satisfying first outing for the Wolves as they begin the quest to maintain their spot as one of the country’s leading organisations.

Paul James was pleased with what he saw, remarking: “I wanted a tough pre-season game and that’s what we got. Reading are a well-drilled team that could compete in the BBL. I saw some very positive things out there, and we are getting better every day.”

There was an even spread of scoring across the board for Wolves, with Holmes, Owumi, Dibo, Visockis and Thurman all hitting double-figures of points.

On 18 September there will be a further opportunity for James to test out his squad with a trip to BBL new-boys, the Bristol Flyers. On Friday 26 September, Wolves will begin the 2014-15 campaign by visiting Newcastle Eagles. The following Friday, 03 October, the University of Worcester Arena will host the club’s opening home game, versus Cheshire Phoenix.