Pre-Season Tournaments update – Sep 6, 2017

September 6, 2017 | PATRICK MAHER

THE UL Eagles Basketball team will host the Stuart Robbins Memorial Perpetual tournament this Friday and Saturday at the UL Arena.
The tournament is in memory of Stuart who passed away in 2010 at the age of 33.
The tournament will feature two groups of three teams who will play in a league format on the Saturday afternoon.
The weekend is opened with two exhibition games on Friday night starting at 6.45pm.
The UL Eagles, who Stuart played for, will be joined in group A by Fr Matthew’s from Cork and an USA Select side. The USA side will be made up of former NCAA stars from the United states.

Group B sees Keane’s Supervalu Killorglin up against the Portlaoise Panthers and a Stuart Robbins select team.
The Robbin’s All Stars will feature players from Germany, Ireland and Wales, where Robbins played his basketball.
Robbin’s, who died suddenly, is originally from Port Talbot in Wales.
The larger than life centre was a professional player in England, Germany, Belgium and the USA before his move to Ireland.
Before his sad passing Robbins had lead the UL Eagles team in scoring and rebounding.
Robbins also played at St Joseph’s University in the United States before returning to play for London’s Thames Valley in 1999.

The three point scoring master, also played for Belgian club Bree for a season before being signed by the now-defunct London Towers for two seasons, during which he made his debut in the Euroleague.
His career also took him to Germany, including a spell with Kaiserslautern, a side which provided players over the years for the annual tournament in UL.
The UL Eagles will use this tournament as a chance to once more honour the memory of their friend, while also preparing for this season’s Mens Division One season.
Fixtures :
Friday 6.45pm – Stuart Robbins All Stars v USA Select
Friday 8.15pm – UL Eagles v Keanes Supervalu Killorglin
Saturday 10am – UL Eagles v Fr Matthew’s
11.30am – Keanes Supervalu Killorglin v Portlaoise Panthers
1pm – USA Select v Fr Matthews
2.30pm – Stuart Robbins All Stars v Portlaoise Panthers
4pm – USA Select v UL Eagles
5.30pm – Stuart Robbins All Stars v Keanes Supervalu Killorglin
Final will take place at 6.45pm : from :www.limerickleader.ie (Donn O Sullivan). (https://www.facebook.com/usaselectbasketball/)

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors Season Tickets 2017/18 / Pre Season Tournament.

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors Basketball ClubWednesday, September 6, 2017
This years season ticket is fantastic value at 80 for Adults and 40 for U16′s and don’t forget U4s go free!
What you get?!!!…..
The 4 games at the pre-season tournament this weekend (9th Sept – 2 games 6pm and 8pm and 10th Sept – 2 games 2pm and 4pm ) with Warriors, St Paul’s, Neptune and Ballincollig! (Adults 5 and U16s 3 at the door on the night)
Entry to all of our 11 home games!! (Adults 8 and U16s 5 at the door on the night)
We are also hosting a USA Team in October and you also get entry to this game! (Adults 5 and U16s 3 at the door on the night)
And possibly a first and Second round cup game if we draw at home… (Adults 8 and U16s 5 at the door on the night)
That is a guaranteed 16 games but a possible 18 games!!!
And not to mention what a great night of entertainment that every game is!!!Fantastic value!!!
Season tickets can be purchased from Gerard in the Castle Bar you can contact him on 087 2745373!!!
From : https://www.facebook.com/notes/garveys-tralee-warriors-basketball-club/garveys-tralee-warriors-season-tickets-201718/510916125910915/

Very Exciting event coming up for all Basketball Fans. Maree are hosting their first Donie Green Memorial Tournament in Calasanctius College on September 9th/10th. We will have other teams from the superleague coming to Oranmore for two days of great basketball.Teams Include : Maree / Swords Thunder / Belfast Star / Moycullen / UCD Marian / Templeogue (Eurobasket will cover this event with updates and results at https://www.facebook.com/Maherprobasket-240634641052/ (“Twitter” @PatMaher5)+ of course a tournament Review to be posted at www.eurobasket.com (Ireland Page)

https://twitter.com/mareebasketball

Cork Celts Basketball Club (https://twitter.com/corkcelts) (https://twitter.com/ImpressGSP) started their Div 1 Cork County Basketball Board’s Pre Season Tournament off in fine style last evening at the Gurranabraher Parochial Hall in Cork City by defeating East Cork Glenmary.The Celts have the bulk of the quality players from last season still on board plus 6 new players from last season’s successful campaign winning The CCBB League.Ziggy’s Rock Bar will continue their sponsorship of the club for the new season (https://www.facebook.com/ziggys.bar1/) (www.ziggyscork.com) (https://twitter.com/ziggys_bar) Watkins Williams (194-G/F-87, college: Siskiyous JC)

[MORE]

USA Select Preaseaon Game

Bristol Flyers was live.

[MORE]

PREVIEW: BRISTOL FLYERS V USA SELECT

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH 2017

USA Select return to the WISE Arena on Thursday, showcasing a cohort of graduating seniors from a variety of US Colleges aiming to earn a contract in Europe.

Bristol Flyers v USA Select
SGS WISE Arena,
Pre-season Friendly
Thursday, September 7th 2017, 7.30pm.
Adults – £8, Senior Citizens/Under-19s – £4 (inclusive of fees).

Everything you need to know ahead of Thursday’s game can be found below.

USA SELECT
Sean Kilmartin and his fellow coaches will be presiding over three separate sides as their squad face the tricky task of playing 64 games in 18 days.

Last year’s fixture was a sell-out, with the Flyers defeating the former US college stars 74-69.

TICKETS
Limited tickets will be available on the door on Thursday night, but to be sure of a seat and avoid disappointment book online now.

FIRST TIME AT THE WISE ARENA?
This game will be played at the home of Bristol Flyers – the WISE Arena at SGS College in Filton:

SGS WISE Arena,
New Road,
Stoke Gifford,
Bristol BS34 8LP

SGS WISE Arena is conveniently located just off junction one of the M32, a short walk from the Abbeywood Retail Park bus stop and the Bristol Parkway and Filton Abbey Wood train stations.

FOOD AND DRINK
Food and drink is available at the WISE Arena – there is a cashpoint on site but we would advise bringing cash with you if you plan on purchasing food and drink.

TICKET COLLECTIONS
Tickets can be collected from the ticket collections desk located just inside the main foyer of the WISE Arena – we advise arriving early if you are collecting tickets for this game.

[MORE]

Manchester Giants go down to USA Select but there’s no need to panic

September 4, 2017 | ANTHONY JEPSON

Coach Danny Byrne took positives from his side’s opening pre-season game in front of a sell-out crowd.

There’s plenty more to come from Manchester Giants following their pre-season opener.

A disjointed second half followed a positive first as the Giants went down 78-64 to the travelling USA Select squad.

But with two new signings still to come and David Kadiri gamely turning out after a 5am arrival from the States, coach Danny Byrne has reason to be positive.

Kadiri, a wiry, athletic 6ft 8ins presence, showed a few understandable signs of rustiness but enough awareness, vision and determination to indicate he can be a force at both ends of the court this season.

He scored eight points and took 13 rebounds.

And with explosive swingman Austin Rettig still to land from the US and British big man Clayfell Harris recovering from a minor injury, Byrne feels the Giants are in decent shape.

“We played well for 25 minutes and then a bit a tiredness crept in and our offence broke down a bit,” he said.

“You can see the chemistry is coming and it’s better than last season. There’s a lot to work on.

“David was straight off a flight and we obviously haven’t practised with him, but we can see what he’ll bring offensively and defensively he’ll protect that ring.

“Three quarters we were great. That last quarter tiredness crept in and shots wouldn’t drop.”

The Giants took the first half 41-36 and looked slick and structured when moving the ball quickly and breaking on the Americans.

They struggled when the US team pressed them in the second and some wayward passing saw things unravel somewhat.

The Giants have the chance to iron out some of the glitches when they play the Americans – a collection of US college graduates looking to showcase their skills – again behind closed doors on Tuesday.

“By the end of September we’ll be ready to go,” said Bryrne.

[MORE]

USA Select Vs. Manchester

Team USA Select arrives in the UK – Part 2 – 2017

AUGUST 31, 2017 | Dave Ryan

Thursday evening sees Team USA Select begin their latest tour, but the Americans facing a grueling schedule of 64 games in 18 days for their three squad.
The majority of the games are in England, though they also visit Scotland, Ireland and Norway. The trip gives players fresh out of college the chance to show their skills and hopefully get a club in Europe. Although immigration rules make it tougher for import players to succeed in the UK now, they’ve had their successes with the likes of Ryan Patten having a solid career in England and Greg Hernandez (198-C, college: Maryville, TN) helping Leopards win the National Trophy in 2013.
The tours are now entering their second decade and are the brainchild of Sean Kilmartin,It all starts on Thursday evening with the White team facing Division One side Solent Kestrels before they move on to Oaklands to face Leopards the following day, Friday also sees the White team make their bow with the first of back-to-back games at Leicester Riders, while the Blues visit Stockport Falcons.
For more about the tour, schedule and roster see https://daveballblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/31/team-usa-select-arrive-in-the-uk/

[MORE]

Team USA Select arrive in the UK – Part 1 – 2017

AUGUST 31, 2017

It sounds crazy – three squads of players travelling throughout Europe playing 64 games in 18 days. But Team USA Select are here for their annual trip.

The majority of the games are in England, though they also visit Scotland, Ireland and Norway. The trip gives players fresh out of college the chance to show their skills and hopefully get a club in Europe. Although immigration rules make it tougher for import players to succeed in the UK now, they’ve had their successes with big man Greg Hernandez helping Leopards win the National Trophy in 2013.

The tours are now entering their second decade and are the brainchild of Sean Kilmartin, and Leopards are one of the many teams who’ve met them many occasions – playing in as diverse places as Brentwood, Crystal Palace, Neasdon and a horrible school gym in Romford, Friday’s game at Oaklands will certainly be an upgrade on that!

The madness started on Thursday evening with the White team facing Division One side Solent Kestrels before they move on to Oaklands to face Leopards the following day, Friday also sees the White team make their bow with the first of back-to-back games at Leicester Riders, while the Blues visit Stockport Falcons.

Whites are also in Leicester on Saturday, facing both Loughbrough and Charnwood Riders, with the Blues traveling to Hemel Storm.

Sunday sees Leopards hosting the Blues at Brentwood, with the Reds playing their third BBL opponents in as many days at Manchester Giants, and the Whites visiting Warwickshire Hawks.

The Reds face other BBL opposition in Bristol Flyers, Newcastle Eagles and Glasgow Rocks, as well as Division One sides Hemel, Reading and Worthing.

Full schedule:

Thursday August 31: Arrive London Heathrow early , travel to Feltham Travelodge rest (Blue/White until Monday, Red team one night only) Red off; Blue off White play Southampton Solent

Friday September 1: Red to Leicester Riders 7pm (BBL) for 2 days, (oldest club in British basketball history, gym is already sold out!!!) Blue Stockport Falcons White to London Leopards

Saturday September 2: Red Leicester Riders 4pm clinic, game at 6. Blue Hemel Storrm White travel to Leicester early for double header (do youth clinic then Loughborough and Charnwowod)

Sunday September 3: Red to Manchester Giants 6pm (BBL). (sold out gym last year) Blue London Leopards White Warwickshire Hawks

Monday September 4: Red 8pm Manchester Magic (NBL) Blue Loughborough and Charnwood (back to back) White Travel to Coventry, do youth clinic then play Coventry Tornados (NBL)

Tuesday September 5: Red to Reading Rockets (NBL) Blue to Manchester Giants (BBL) closed door White Travel to Edinburgh Scotland to play Edinburgh City Kings

Wednesday September 6: Red to Worthing Thunder 8 PM (EBL) Blue Mansfield Giants 7-8 clinic, 8pm match White Southampton Solent

Thursday September 7: Red to Bristol Flyers (BBL) (sold out every year for 10 straight). White travel to London Stansted airport hotel for early flight next day to Shannon, Ireland. Blue play Bradford Dragons. (clinic / match)

Friday September 8: Red Newcastle Eagles ( BBL!) White U Limerick for Stuart Robbins Memorial Tournament, Ireland for best preseason tournament in Ireland! Covered by top league! Blue Sheffield Arrows (NBL) long time USA Select partner

Saturday September 9: Red Hemel Storm (NBL)/ White Stuart Robbins Memorial Tournament (Super league teams in Ireland) ) Blue World Club Invitational, Bexhill England. Multi country event!

Sunday September 10: Red Glasgow Rocks (Scotland) Clinic then game White Stuart Robbins Memorial Tournament Ireland. Blue World Club Invitational, Bexhill England

Monday September 11: Red off / rest Blue London Greenhouse Pioneers Reading Rockets White Return from Ireland , scrimmage Reading Rockets 8pm off / rest

Tuesday September 12: Red Swansea (Wales) Storm Blue Liverpool Basketball Club / White Derbyshire Arrows (NBL)

Wednesday September 13: Red Mansfield Giants (Clinic / game) (NBL) White Worthing Thunder (NBL) Blue Kingston Panthers Clinic / Game

Thursday September 14: Tour day, all teams off Sight see in London, Private Tour of Houses of Parliament

Friday September 15: Red / Blue to Oslo Norway for 2 day Tournament. (each will play 6 games) White open for now London Greenhouse Pioneers

Saturday September 16: Red Norway 13:00 –vs Eidsvoll , 14:30 – vs Asker, 17:30 – vs Ammerud Blue TBD White Ipswich (NBL)

Sunday September 17: Red Norway 13:00vs Frøya, 18:00s Kongsberg. Blue TBD White Leeds Force 4 pm (BBL )

Monday September 18: Red / Blue return from Norway White travel to London Heathrow

Roster:

1 Thomas Marshall III 5’10 175 Coker College / Southern University
2 Chase Morgan 5’11” 175 Bluefield State Col / Fairmont St Un
3 Renard Green, Jr 6’0″ 175 Langston University (OK)
4 Brian McNair 6’0″ 175 Barton College
5 Tyler Birch 6’4″ 200 Univ. Of Alabama
6 Darcell Hanley 6’6″ 215 Semi Pro Savannah Wildcats
7 Aerris Smith II 6’7″ 230 Wofford College
8 BJ Shelton 6’7″ 210 Bluefield College
15 Tyrin Wade 6’7″ 265 Lindenwood University Belleville
16 Kevin Hickson 6’7″ 225 Wofford College / UNC Wilmington
17 Daniel Clark 6’8″ 210 Bluefield College
18 Olalekan Ajayi 7’0″ 250 Eastern Michigan U / Cal State Northridge
20 Carnell Gray 5’11” 175 Fullerton College (CA)/ USC Aiken)
21 Quincy Adams 6’0″ 182 Schreiner Univ.
22 Jonathan Coles 6’0″ 175 Emory University
23 Isaac Lyerly- Pina 6’0″ 185 Sandhill’s Community College
24 Iyoha Agho 6’1″ 190 New York University
25 Christian Council 6’3″ 195 NCSU (track)
26 Richard Kelly 6’4″ 180 Maryville College
27 Chris Dobbins 6’4″ 205 New River Community College
28 Jonathan Lohr 6’6″ 205 N/A

[MORE]

USA Select Next Up for the Riders

Leicester Riders opened up camp with an exciting game against Portland Pilots and will next take aim at the USA Select as they come to Leicester Arena on September 2nd.

The USA Select, a team of collegiate graduates that travel across Europe in Pre-Season each year, will come back to Leicester Arena as Riders fans will get a first chance to have look at a more complete Riders roster with signing announcements in expected in the coming weeks.

Russell Levenston, Managing Director of the Leicester Riders is looking forward to the game at the start of the month.

“It will be a good gauge for us to see how our new players are settling in to the team and how the group is coming together.

“USA Select are always a high-octane opponent providing some great highlights and exciting moments over the years.”

Riders continue to add to their line-up with last signings Shane Walker, Thomas De Thaey and Kiefer Douse all expected to be in the line up for the game as well as further signings expected to be announced soon!

CLICK HERE for your tickets for the game! Follow @RidersBball on social media for full updates and announcements in the build up to the pre-season action!

[MORE]

EAGLES READY TO ROCK PRE-SEASON

AUGUST 11, 2017 | JEFF KING

The all new exciting Esh Group Eagles Newcastle will be unveiled on court for the first time this season when they take on annual visitors Team USA Select on Friday 8th September. The game will be held on the North Court at Sport Central with a 7:30pm tip-off.

The Team USA Select side is always made up of talented individuals who have all come together in a search for a professional contract and therefore will play hard to impress watching scouts.

The Eagles then follow this game up with back-to-back fixtures the following weekend at Benfield Sports Centre. On Saturday 16th September at 3:00pm, they face Glasgow Rocks in what should be a cracker of a game.

Rocks this season are coached by former Eagles play-caller Tony Garbelotto and have so far announced a quartet of home-grown Scots in GB Captain Kieron Achara, Gareth Murray, Johnny Bunyan and Ali Fraser. It should be a great match-up for both clubs.

Then less than 48 hours at the same Benfield venue, Marc Steutel’s Team Northumbria will provide the opposition for Fab Flournoy and his new-look outfit. Team Northumbria were last season’s regular League Champions in Division One and as a result will play in The BBL Trophy this season.

They will be keen to test themselves against BBL opposition in lieu of their entry to The Trophy and this match tips off at 1:30pm on Sunday 17th September.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

Tickets for all games are available to buy online or by contacting The Eagles Office direct on 0191 2453880 and fans should look to obtain them as soon as possible as numbers at both venues are limited.

You can get a special offer three game ticket for just £20 (reduced to £18 for 2017/18 season ticket holders) and £8 per game individually (or £7 for season ticket holders).

[MORE]