Saturday’s game sees Hemel Storm face Derby Trailblazers in what looks to be a blockbuster clash between two of the top three in the league. Following on from victory over the City of Birmingham Rockets, Storm will be keen to extend their league form to 14-0, and continue to strive towards a league title.
The previous fixture between these two teams saw Storm play incredibly well, taking a comfortable 74-91 victory away at the Clarence Wiggins Sport Centre. This fixture gave the team a lot of confidence, which will look to be replicated on Saturday night.
However, the Trailblazers will prove an extremely tough outfit, as their roster contains some exceptional talent. Malcolm Smith looks to be back to his best, following his recovery from an injury and has posted some incredible statistics in previous games. His work inside the paint, combined with his midrange ability makes him an unpredictable threat and will likely be matched up against Darien Nelson-Henry or Matt Ellis. Since the previous matchup, the Trailblazers announced the capture of Kyle Jimenez from SLB outfit Caledonia Gladiators, who is no stranger to NBL Division One. Having represented Loughborough Riders and Nottingham Hoods during his career, Jimenez was a standout talent which earned him a move to the SLB. Storm must remain focused and disciplined to protect their home court.
Storm, on the other hand, come into this matchup with perfect league form. Their performance against the City of Birmingham Rockets was more controlled than the scoreline suggested, as the team remained patient whilst in possession of the ball. Their last fixture saw Storm have more control over their offense, working the ball to the open shooter and making good decisions in an around the basket. With Hakeem Sylla returning to action, he will add key attributes to this Storm side both on and off the court. Moving the ball with a high tempo has been key for Storm to unlock the opportunities, as they will look to move to 14-0.
Storm have a fantastic roster, with strength in depth. It contains a fine combination of experience and athleticism, as the team has grown from strength to strength throughout the season. Matt Ellis has been key to Storm successes, dominating the paint whilst the ability of Trent Monkman, Darien Nelson-Henry, Sam Newman and Veron Eze are a few examples of the talented roster that Storm have built.
The StormDome has proved to be a fortress this season, with the fantastic atmosphere of the Storm faithful proving decisive in key matches. This game is one of the most important of the season. So make sure to get behind the team and secure your tickets via the fanbase app.
Written by Ollie Heathcote