Coaches Corner With Head Coach Matt Newby 07/04/2021.

Head Coach Matt Newby looks ahead to this weeks games with his latest Coaches Corner.

Dear Wolfpack,

With little more than a fortnight remaining in the Wolves regular season schedule, we have another 3 games in 5 days a frequent phrase now in the 2020-21 season.  With coaches and players identifying how to negotiate the challenges previously denoted in other coaches corners: the physical, psychological and emotional demands on all players throughout the league are amplified. 

As coaches we are also in unfamiliar territory preparing for three games in 7 days managing the aforementioned challenges and coping with the emotional highs and lows of wins and losses which we across the league take personally; in the limited time frames to evaluate reflect and adjust I feel that across the league we are seeing those who manage this the best from a personnel and coaching team perspective are coming out on top.

The coaching fraternity in the BBL is the strongest it has been for some time and this is endorsed by the considerable improvement in recruitment across the board and the style / brand of basketball of each franchise is becoming more evident as each coaches stamp comes to the fore.  It is the most competitive the BBL has been for a considerable amount of time, whether it’s checkers or chess the entertainment value has certainly increased for the neutral and diehard fan alike.

A shout out should also go to the officiating fraternity for their commitment and diligence throughout this season.  The volume and frequency of games this season has seen the same challenges imparted on the men and women who across the country have committed to helping the league move forward in testing times.  I am conscious we don’t always see eye to eye, but we as a player and coaching fraternity are thankful for you undertaking what is always challenging role in trying times.

Back to business, we welcome BBL Legend Rob Paternostro and the Leicester Riders back to the University Of Worcester Arena, with two Buzzer beating game winners still fresh in people’s minds and the head to head record sitting 1-1 both teams will be looking to close out the season in style.  The implications for the Riders is they would be one step closer to a League title, the implications for the Wolves is one step closer to a 4^th or 5^th place finish. 

Leicester will be buoyed by the return of potential league (MVP) Geno Crandell and former Worcester pivot Mo Walker.  In recent weeks Connor Washington has been pulling the strings at the point, maintaining the Leicester outfits momentum.  With Darien Nelson Henry, William Lee and Ali Fraser providing fire power on the interior and the extensive choice across the perimeter in Corey Johnson, Jamell Anderson and Aaron Falzon this is a well-built unit with a strong system.  We look forward to the challenge.

Friday’s fixture will see us benefit from not travelling as we host the in Cheshire Phoenix, with their form potentially deceiving having lost their last three games on the bounce.  However I would suggest it is the absence of Kahron Ross whose clutch play and ability score and create in volume which has potentially stifled their charge.  Coach Thomas has proved once again astute in recruitment and continues to develop his own philosophies and brand of basketball and as a young coach is getting high returns.  Key personnel in this line up are Matthew Bryan Amaning and Jimbo Lull proving a problem for every teams interior when firing on all cylinders.  The dynamic threat that is Jalen Hayes and the remainder of the dynamic backcourt is Kyle Carey and Mike Mcall Junior who have been great for the Cheshire side this season. Again the season head to head is at stake as well as the opportunity to condense the middle order of the league further.

On Sunday we face a familiar foe Surrey Scorchers who recently have caught wins in 3 of their last 6 games including two wins against the Newcastle Eagles.  With 8 games remaining they have the opportunity to significantly affect the final standings with games 2 fixtures remaining against Sheffield 1 fixture against Newcastle and our head to head decider of note.  We travel to Surrey Sports Park mindful of this units significant improvements, critically Coach Raftopoulos seems to be getting high returns across the board as the team realigned following the departure of the inform Ryan Richards. 

The back court of Tony Hicks, Connor Cashaw and the highly rated youth Evan Walshe and Cameron Hildreth ensure high octane and high tempo transition which is further complimented by the sharp shooting of Caylin Raftopoulos.  The resurgence in form of Tayo Ogedengbe and his ability to slide through positional responsibilities both as a guard and a forward make him one of the most versatile and productive players at both ends of the floor and when coupled with physical impact of Lacey James and Emondre Rickman you can see why on any given night the scorchers can be problem to any team in the league.

In terms of our own outlook we continue to prove we are amongst the most exciting teams in the league, recent performances suggest we can make a play off run, however claiming these important head to heads and securing the highest order finish we can is our agenda.

We hope you will be able to tune in on Wednesday and Friday to our YouTube Channel to support the team in its final phases of the season.

Kind regards and Best Wishes

Coach