Saturday’s game sees Hemel Storm make the short journey to Bletchley Leisure Centre to face the MK Breakers, in a game which Storm have the opportunity to bounce back following a 12 point defeat to second placed Reading Rockets.
MK Breakers will pose a serious challenge to Storm, with this being the fourth clash between the two teams. After Milton Keynes claimed victory in the KitKing Trophy Semi Final, Storm responded by winning in both the League and National Cup. Both teams have a vocal set of supporters, who will be sure to create a fantastic atmosphere.
MK Breakers come into this fixture in fantastic form, recently beating the Reading Rockets in a thrilling encounter at Loddon Valley. With the Breakers announcing the return of Jordan Spencer, who played an integral role in their rise from Division Three to One recently, he will definitely add a vast amount of quality to a roster with great depth. Alongside Spencer, KJ Johnson has demonstrated his excellent form for the Breakers, as his unpredictability has made him a tough player to guard. He played a key role for the Breakers in their KitKing Trophy Semi Final against Storm with a 31 point display. Overall, the Breakers will look to play with a high tempo, attempting to protect their home court.
For Storm, the goal of winning the league remains still in their control. Despite defeat to Reading last weekend, it was a game which highlighted many positives within the side. In particular, the second half of the third quarter saw enormous character shown by Storm, who went on to score 33 points. In particular, Matt Ellis will prove a player to watch out for, with his dominance around the rim and an exceptional ability to shoot from mid range. If the Breakers can prevent a shot from the inside, Storm could turn to the three point ability of Sam Newman and Tra’Michael Moton, who were both able to connect on multiple occasions last weekend. Darien Nelson-Henry has also posted excellent statistics throughout the season, showing excellent intelligence and leadership skills.
In recent games, Storm have shown excellent resilience and character during times of setbacks to improve. As the team continues to develop, Storm will continue to prove a threat to this league. A win in this fixture will definitely send a statement to the rest of the division, as Storm will continue working towards securing the league title for a second time in their history.
For those who are still yet to secure their tickets for this fixture, tickets are available using MK Breakers’ Lokkaroom platform. Tip off 5pm at Bletchley Leisure Centre, MK2 2HQ.
Storm return to home action when they face Loughborough Riders on Saturday 15th March at the StormDome, which will be another eagerly awaited encounter. It is a crucial game for Storm, who look to retain the league title they previously won in the 2022/23 season. Make sure to get your tickets using the Fanbase platform and support the Storm in this matchup.
Written by Ollie Heathcote