Worcester Wolves V Durham Wildcats 22nd September 2012

Worcester Wolves will get their new British Basketball League season under way this Saturday evening (tip off 7pm), when they host Durham Wildcats at the University of Worcester. 

Wolves’ third place finish last season was their highest final placing in their BBL history, while Wildcats found the going tough as they marked their debut campaign with three wins from 30 games. Unsurprisingly, Wolves won all three meetings between the teams.

Worcester coach Paul James has some knowledge of the Durham side who will be the visitors on Saturday evening: “I know a little bit about the Wildcats returning players and the style of play they will bring. Last season they were patient on offence and played hard at the defensive end and I expect them to play the same way this season.

“Paul Elderkin and Ralph Bucci had consistently good performances last season. Mark Reynolds I know a little about as I considered recruiting him for the Wolves. The other players we will have to learn about as we go, and adapt accordingly.”

James is happy with how his side has gelled during the pre-season period: “I’m happy that we are starting off at home and hopefully we will have a big crowd for this season opener.

“The players that have been available for pre-season have worked well and hopefully that hard work will pay off against the Wildcats. There are some very talented players attending the University of Worcester this year and I will be looking to integrate them as usual into the Wolves team as the season goes on.”

James isn’t setting any targets for his team as the new season tips off: “Who knows right now what is realistic for the coming season? For me I’m trying to get the Wolves to be consistent challengers year after year, and that means more of the same and improvement on last season.”

Wildcats’ coach Dave Elderkin admits only limited knowledge of the Wolves: “I know about their returning players, but very little about new signings, therefore we will be concentrating on what we do.”

Elderkin is pleased with how his side’s warm-up for the new season has progressed: “We’ve had a good pre-season, three weeks of training, five games, including the Eagles and Sharks. As far as the roster is concerned we still have a non-national [American] spot to fill, we’re looking but no signing at the moment. We are playing to get the number of wins required to make the end of season play-offs.”