TWO games into the new British Basketball League season and Glasgow Rocks, unsurprisingly, remain a work in progress but coach Sterling Davis believes there are grounds for quiet optimism after his side rebounded from an early deficit to defeat Manchester Giants 81-71 last night at the Emirates Arena and pick up a first victory of the campaign.
Led by a game-high 22 points from the Great Britain captain Kieron Achara, questions were posed of the hosts’ tactics and character amid a bombardment from Manchester in the second quarter.
However Davis, seeking signs that his revamped roster might be able to challenge Newcastle and Leicester for supremacy in the months ahead, found illumination in their response as a combination of relentless defence and frenetic offence eventually saw the hosts race as much as 14 clear in the fourth
“It was scrappy but I liked our improvements from our first game,” Davis said. “Our defence was pretty good. And when we shared the ball, we were very effective. But we have to get to a point where can do that for 40 minutes every single night.”
There were early moments of concern when a 13-3 run sent the Giants 35-26 clear in the second quarter as mistakes and miscommunication ground Glasgow to a halt. Yet Achara set the tone, igniting an 18-1 run as Manchester were held without a field goal for almost six minutes as the Scots grabbed a 44-38 half-time lead.
And although Manchester hit back in the third, a 14-3 burst in the fourth ensured Glasgow broke their duck at the second attempt, pulling 80-66 in front in the closing stages as Davis took an extended look at his full roster ahead of next weekend’s testing double header with Leicester and Cheshire.
“You have to appreciate what Kieron does,” Davis added.
“He’s really giving a lead and being vocal on the floor. We have a young group here so that’s really necessary to allow them to grow.”
Warren Gillis added 16 points and ten rebounds for the Rocks with Ingus Bankevics scoring a team-best 20 for Manchester.
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