West Brom Basketball Club hoping for more net gains

Having led the side to promotion last term, player/coach Liam Sheridan takes his men to face Churchbridge A buoyed by an impressive run of pre-season results and with confidence in plentiful supply.

Sheridan founded the club in 2016 and quickly found a winning formula with West Brom finishing runners-up to Lordswood in Division One.

And if the recent warm up action is anything to go by, then the step up in standard should hold no fears.

A perfect pre-season has seen them record victories over Worcester University Alumni, Mat Catlow Selects and Broadway Casino Aces.

The clash with Alumni, a team comprising of a number of former Worcester Wolves players and several trialists, proved a tight affair with West Brom edging home 86-83.

Starting some of the younger members of the club, Sheridan got a solid gauge on some of the more youthful players on his roster in the early proceedings.

However, he did introduce some familiar faces mid-way through the opening period as last season’s MVP Ezran Little and defensive player of the year Tyrone Lewis joined the fray.

New signing Michael Banczer made an immediate impact with the Polish star, who played college basketball in the USA, landing 27 points on his debut appearance in green and white.

West Brom secured a more comfortable 82-67 success against Mat Catlow Selects.

Youngster Raheem Chadband dropped in 14 points on his senior debut, following an impressive season in the youth set-up last campaign. But it was a senior member of the team who topped the scoring charts, with Luke Hatfield finishing the game with 21.

Sheridan was thrilled with the side’s opening efforts.

“I think we played some great team basketball, which is good news for us so early in pre-season” he said.

“The aim for us here is to try and develop a strong chemistry moving forward into what is sure to be a very challenging season.

“What really impressed me over those two games was the way our youngsters performed. I’ve been at them all summer about stepping up and playing a role for our senior side, and they’re starting to do that now.”

West Brom’s final pre-season clash proved to be a feisty affair as they battled their way to a 81-80 win at Broadway Casino Aces, who had several big names in their ranks, including former BBL man Martyn Gayle – who managed 17 points through the encounter.

They were missing key men Little and Lewis and once again leaned on Banczer to secure the win, as he dropped a team-high 37 on the way to victory.

Werst Brom led by a point at the halfway stage and then found themselves trailing 57-56 heading into the final quarter.

With an atmosphere not too dissimilar to a play-off clash, tempers began to flare between the hosts and the referees.

The visitors didn’t make things easy for themselves, with a number of costly turnovers keeping the scores close.

A dramatic finish saw the Aces’ handed a chance to level when Kristian Dickson was fouled with just seconds remaining and with the hoists two points down.

He hit the first of two free-throws, but couldn’t land his final shot with West Brom claiming the narrowest of victories.

Summer recruits Banczer was thrilled to secure the win over a tough pre-season opponent and is confident of a successful campaign.

“Although it was only a pre-season game, it was definitely a thriller,” he said.

“I think we’re in a great place offensively but we still have a lot of work to do defensively.

“Once we get it all under control then the sky’s the limit.”

West Brom’s first Premier Division home encounter is against Trojans on Friday, October 13 at the George Slater Academy.