Saturday’s game sees Hemel Storm make a long trip to the North East to face Newcastle Knights, in a bid to build on their opening league victory against Bradford Dragons.
Standing in their way are a Newcastle Knights side, who have strengthened their roster over the summer. They will look to provide a threat to Storm, who have continued to gel over the opening games of the season.
Saturday’s victory was an important one for Storm to kick off the season in style, as the league looks to be more competitive. In particular, Sam Newman and Trent Monkman were impressive from the perimeter, connecting with many important shot attempts, to turn momentum in Storm’s favour. However, the work of Darien Nelson-Henry inside the paint almost earned him a triple double, featuring in the NBL Team of the Week. This fixture is the longest away travel for the team, who must adapt quickly to the facilities of Newcastle University.
On the other hand, Newcastle Knights approach the fixture, having come off the back of a narrow defeat on the road at Loughborough Riders. They will be looking to react to this defeat quickly, responding with a victory and protecting their home court. Having retained last season’s top scorer Logan Rooney and Theo Riley, announcing the return of NBL stalwart Ronald Blain, alongside former Derby Trailblazer Corey Johnson are signings of intent that the Knights will prove an incredibly tough opponent. Blain has proved to be a fantastic player over his years at Newcastle, Worthing and Bradford, and his 23 points in the season’s opener is an ominous sign of things to come over the season. Having won the League Trophy and KitKing Trophy last season, Johnson will look to use his expertise from the perimeter and experience of success to help lift the Knights up the table.
This fixture also has history attached to it, with Storm securing the NBL Division One title in their undefeated 2022/23 campaign in Newcastle. An emphatic 77-107 victory with a roster containing current London Lion Aaryn Rai, and Artland Dragon Taylor Johnson led the side to a fantastic campaign. Both Sam Newman and Jack Burnell remain from that side and will have memories of that victory, and will look to replicate that victory in Saturday’s game.
It looks sure to be an entertaining affair between two good quality teams, with both teams looking to build on the foundations laid in preseason. Storm will look to muster a winning start to the season, whereas the Knights will look to contain Storm, bouncing back from last week’s defeat.
Storm return to home action on Saturday 19th October when newly promoted Bristol Hurricanes visit the StormDome. Tickets are available via the Fanbase platform.
By Ollie Heathcote