Storm travel to reigning Trophy champions Birmingham Rockets
Hemel Storm will look to make it two wins from two to start the season when they travel to face the Birmingham Rockets in the BCB Trophy on Sunday.
Tom Baker’s side battled past the Loughborough Riders last weekend to get their campaign off to the perfect start, aided by an inspired Ty Nsangu.
Storm’s new man posted a brutal 30 points and 20 rebounds, earning BCB Player of the Week honours in the process, to help his side through a difficult third period and to an 85-80 victory.
American Jabari Nurse also impressed in his first outing, his 18 points including a pair of monstrous dunks, and there were plenty of other positives for Baker and his new-look side to take away, including another 12 assists for captain Sam Newman.
Another stern test awaits them this weekend, though, as they face last season’s Trophy champions, Birmingham Rockets.
It will be the Rockets’ first game of the new campaign, but the core of the team remains the same as the one whose season was ended by the Newcastle Knights at the play-off semi-final stage last time out.
Head Coach Charles Smith returns, as does Zack Powell, fresh off an impressive campaign in which he averaged 18.6 points and 4.9 assists per game.
League veteran Ronald Blain is back for his second year in Birmingham, alongside experienced professional and new team captain Orlan Jackman, guard Lucas McGregor and former Derby Trailblazer Eric Donaldson.
Renowned shot-blocker Luke Okosieme has moved from the Midlands to Greece, and Martyn Gayle has also departed, but in their place come Daniel Edozie from Bristol Hurricanes and American combo guard Spencer Bain.
Working under a well-coached, organised structure, the Rockets boast plenty of know-how, as well as exciting athleticism, and have a history of success in this competition.
They’ll pose Baker’s men a stern test as they look to build on last weekend’s win and inch closer to securing Trophy qualification.
For those wishing to make the trip to support the side and see some new faces in action, tickets are available here.
You can also keep up to date via our social media channels, or by tuning into either the livestream or livestats.
Written by Callum Humphrey