This week the Club have sadly lost two huge members of the Storm Family.
Firstly, LEE LINTON-HODGES
The British basketball community was shocked and saddened at the untimely passing of former Ipswich, Essex Rebel and Hemel Storm player Lee Linton-Hodges last weekend.
Standing at 7 feet tall, Lee was an imposing figure on the basketball court, but off the court, he was a kind, friendly and gentle giant.
He always made time for fans, was loved by his team-mates and by the players he competed against week in and week out.
His passing leaves a gap within this proud basketball family that will never be filled again.
Lee signed for Storm in 2017 and played a big part in the National Cup success that season. Beyond that, though, Lee was a warm and friendly figure - a gentle giant always carrying a smile on his face.
Everyone at Hemel Storm will miss Lee dearly. Our thoughts go out to his mum Teresa, wife Amy and his son.
Secondly, MIKE BLEASDALE
It was with great sadness that the Club learnt this week of the passing of Mike after a short illness.
Mike has been an ever-present follower of our Club in whatever guise it has existed since the 1970s through to the present day and was a huge fan of basketball in general. In the more recent years of Hemel Storm, Mike would tell of the heartfelt joy he felt in respect to our growth and success, he'd never miss a home game and travelled to as many away games as possible too. Such was Mike's support of our Club, he would always ask about player well-being and the latest news and he held an absolute interest in the development of our women's team and our plans for our junior programme.
Mike was a kind, caring and generous man, we are going to miss him and his travelling cushion enormously (he had a deep dislike of unforgiving seats!) and we send our love and thoughts to his wife Ann and all of his family members.
We will pay tribute to Lee and Mike at tonight's game by observing a 24 seconds of applause.