STERLING DAVIS, the Glasgow Rocks player-coach, has confirmed he is in advanced talks over a new deal with the British Basketball League outfit ahead of the start of their Play-off campaign.
The American, who has yet to deliver a trophy in his seven years in charge, will aim to strengthen his hand for a fresh contract when the Scots host Cheshire Phoenix tonight in the first leg of their quarter-final at the Emirates Arena. At 36, Davis has already revealed he will consider whether to retire from playing at the close of the current season.
However he has insisted the ongoing uncertainty over his future will not be a distraction as the Rocks try to make a sustained assault on reaching next month's showpiece finale at London's 02 Arena. "I'm trying to put it aside," he said. "But we've been talking. We've just not come to an agreement. I now have some idea over the direction the organisation wants to go in. So I'm somewhat confident we can work something out."
The Phoenix swept the league series 3-0 to stamp their supremacy over Glasgow but with late changes in their squad, Davis is looking for a change of fortune. "We haven't matched up with them well all year," he admitted. "But that could be a positive and hopefully help us come out on top over the two legs. It's going to be a motivation for us."
With Kieron Achara cleared to return, Davis' in-form side will be hopeful of building an advantage to take to Chester for Sunday's return which could, if the visitors prevail, bring down the curtain on the league's least-loved arena. "It is a huge home advantage for them but it depends on your outlook," the Rocks chief added. "You want to play the decider on your home court. But some times that brings more pressure from your own fans."
- Scottish duo Erin McGarrachan and Hannah Peacock have been named in Great Britain's initial 19-strong squad for EuroBasket Women in Hungary in June.
GB's hopes of earning a place at the Rio Olympics were dealt a huge blow after it was confirmed leading scorer Jo Leedham has opted to sit out, leaving coach Peter Buckle with a massive headache ahead of the start of training camp in Worcester next month.
However McGarrachan, who has just finished a three-year stint at Houston Baptist University, and 20-year-old Peacock - a centre for Edinburgh Kool Kats - will now get the chance to land a spot in the final 12-strong squad.
"The new faces added to our senior programme should mix well with our established seniors, adding further depth to the GB programme," Buckle said. "We need to work hard to prepare for EuroBasket 2015, making the most of our time together and using the practice games to test ourselves."
Britain open up the Euros against Russia in Szombathely on June 12.
Squad: Dominique Allen (SBS Ostrava, Czech Rep); Janice Monakana, Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott (University of Toledo, USA); Stef Collins (Cardiff Met Archers); Ella Clark (Zamarat, Spain); Temi Fagbenle (Harvard, USA); Helen Naylor, Stephanie Gandy (Sheffield Hatters); Chantelle Handy (Ormanspor, Turkey); Nicole How (Sydney Uni Flames, Australia); Georgia Jones (Leicester Riders); Mrashi Karumba (Brixton Topcats); Erin McGarrachan (Houston Baptist, USA); Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby (Lafayette, USA); Hannah Peacock (City of Edinburgh Kool Kats); Chantelle Pressley (Nottingham Wildcats); Eilidh Simpson (St Francis Brooklyn, USA); Azania Stewart (Pinkk Pesci 424, Hungary); Rachael Vanderwal (Gernika Bizkaia, Spain)
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