Reading Rockets Finish Perfect Season

Reading Rockets completed a perfect regular season with two hard-fought home victories over the weekend. Dave Titmuss’ side survived a scare against Coventry Crusaders before beating them 85-82 on Saturday, and it took a strong fourth period to defeat London Leopards 98-85 the following evening. Former USA Select player, Terell Smith scored 57 points to ensure the victory.

Saturday’s statistics show how evenly matched it was, both teams having 38 rebounds each, Coventry edging the points in the paint 54 to 52 as well as points off the bench by 22 to 20. Crusaders’ coach Scott Neely must have been delighted with his team’s performance against a Rockets team who’ve beaten everyone in all competitions. But this was a game when Coventry shot out of the blocks, kept up the tempo, skill and clinical finishing to truly disturb Rockets. The first quarter was immensely competitive with both teams scoring well and each showing defensive frailties. Terell Smith was clearly up for this game hitting his first shot, with his fellow American compatriot Ryan Lohfink making a three point play as he scored the bonus point from the line having been fouled in the act of scoring.

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The Reading Rockets give some insight to TEAM USA Select

Reading Rockets | Team USA Select
If you are between the age of 8 and 16, take this great opportunity to learn from top American players and coaches. There will be competitions with prizes. One person will be selected to sit on USA Select’s bench for the game!

Reading Rockets | Rockets TV
Welcome to ROCKETS TV. The media team with exclusive insight into Reading Rockets Basketball Club. Updated regulary with all the news, gossip and action from your favourite players.

The Yanks are coming to take on Sharks

SHEFFIELD Sharks’ first pre-season friendly in preparation for the new British Basketball League season will have a Stateside feel tomorrow (7pm), when they entertain an American Select touring team at their EIS headquarters.

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Bristol Flyers v Team USA Select – 11th September 2008

Sportuk.tv’s cameras were at Filton College WISE Academy to bring you the best of the action between the Bristol Academy Flyers and Team USA Select. Team USA won 90-62. Afterwards Coach Sean Kilmartin spoke to Sportuk.tv’s Nigel Turner

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US aces are all set for opener

Reading Rockets will kick off their 2008-2009 campaign against the USA Select touring team at the Rivermead Leisure Complex on September 8. The Select team always guarantee a tough game and Rockets have managed to squeeze narrow victories in the last two meetings between the teams. The USA Select was created by Sean Kilmartin as a means of helping players find professional jobs in Europe. They will play a gruelling schedule that takes in Ireland, Britain and Scandinavia.

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Team USA Select takes on two formidable teams from Finland.

Team USA Select kaatui

Ennakko: Team Componenta – Team USA Select

Airwaves Raiders Announce Pre Season Games

The Airwaves Plymouth Raiders have announced their final home friendly game, to be played on Wednesday 17th September at the Plymouth Pavilions (tip off 7.30pm). The Reading Rockets, one of the best EBL Division 1 teams, will be the visitors just 4 days after the BBL’s Worcester Wolves also visit the Pavilions to take on the Raiders in pre season action.

The Airwaves Plymouth Raiders have announced their final home friendly game, to be played on Wednesday 17th September at the Plymouth Pavilions (tip off 7.30pm). The Reading Rockets, one of the best EBL Division 1 teams, will be the visitors just 4 days after the BBL’s Worcester Wolves also visit the Pavilions to take on the Raiders in pre season action.

The pre-season however gets under way this Saturday (6th September) with the Airwaves Plymouth Raiders facing stiff competition from annual visitors to the Plymouth Pavilions, Team USA Select. It will be a great opportunity for Raiders’ fans to see their new team in action (minus DeAntoine Beasley, who is currently experiencing a Visa hold up), and welcome new players Kwbana Beckles and Patrick Fitzpatrick to the City.

The Team USA Select game is always great season opener, and fans have been treated to some fantastic basketball in previous years. The team is primarily made up of recent graduates from the American college system, who then tour around Europe playing teams and hopefully securing contracts for their players as they go.

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Flyers fall to USA Select All Star Team

“Thursday September 13th was a historic day for Basketball in Bristol. For the first time ever the City boasts a professional basketball team, The Bristol Academy Flyers.

The Flyers took to the court in this their first game of the new 2007/08 season in front of a packed Filton College WISE arena with over 500 spectators in the purpose built College Campus. With pre match entertainment provided by Filton Colleges SWADA dancers and a light and music show entrance of the team the night was set for an entertaining and enthralling battle.”

Unfortunately for them, they faced the 2007 USA Select Basketball Team.

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Flyers grounded by USA Select all star team
Bristol Academy Flyers 85 -Team USA Select 109

In a related article from SportUK.tv it was written;

Thursday 13 September was an historic day for Basketball in Bristol. For the first time ever the city boasts a professional basketball team, The Bristol Academy Flyers.

The Flyers took to the court in this there first game of the new 2007/08 season in front of a packed Filton College WISE arena with over 500 spectators in the purpose built College Campus. With pre match entertainment provided by Filton Colleges SWADA dancers and a light and music show entrance of the team, the night was set for an entertaining and enthralling battle.

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FOR ASPIRING PROS, PATH TO EUROPE HAS PINEVILLE STOP

Pineville is known by many in the Charlotte region as the home of Carolina Place Mall.
But for dozens of former college basketball players from across the country, it’s known as the last stop before Europe. For two days last week, Pineville’s Belle Johnston Center served as the practice location for the 14 former college players that comprise this year’s Team USA Select Basketball roster.
Most of these players know the NBA is beyond their reach. For them, Team USA Select Basketball could give them the opportunity to latch onto a European basketball team and see the world.

“You can see Paris, you can see Prague, but you haven’t really seen the world until you’ve seen the Belle Johnston Community Center in Pineville or the Showmars (on Lancaster Highway),” said south Mecklenburg resident and team coach/general manager Sean Kilmartin.

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