Match day programme-27-2-22-London Lions

PATRIOTS VS LONDON LIONS 27/2/22

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CONTENTS 04 08 12 14 18 20 36 42

Chairman’s comments A word from the coach Junior Basketball Fixtures The team at a glance Meet the team Today’s visitors Match report

A FLYING FRIDAY AND A SMASH AND GRAB IN THE BIG SMOKE Words from the Chairman - Carl Heslop

We return to the pavilions following an amazing last outing against the Bristol Flyers where we dug ourselves out time and time again and got the win.

The fantastic five as I called them were immense and players playing 50mins, Joe Hart struggling to walk and crucial 3s from Rowell and Elvisi produced a performance fitting for a movie.

I’m so proud of this group of players and couldn’t be any prouder…. then came London!

To go to the copper box and put in a second half team performance like that is something that we could only dream of. The effort and professionalism of the team was breath-taking and feel really honoured to have been sat courtside to witness it.

The way the guys came together and celebrated in the changing rooms afterwards showed me how much it means and how well this group work together. It’s a culture I wanted to have both on and off the court and to see this happening is truly magical.

It’s also breath-taking that we also turned in this performance following an extremely busy week of coaching camps and working our schedule

around this. The community side is so important for us, and PJ has been dead on his feet this week working 3 camps and a training schedule following a very late night from Cheshire. The work he is putting in with the club and these players deserves real credit.

Any then we have the new arrival of Troy Simons, a sharpshooter who has vast experience playing with Antonio Williams and this understanding will be invaluable as we go down the stretch this season. We looked at the roster and we felt a few injuries could hurt us as we push to cement our place in the play offs and Troy’s sudden availability meant it was a good situation for both parties to work together for the remainder of this season.

I would also like to close with congratulations to the Patriots ladies team who have won the Exeter and District league and it’s great to see ladies basketball in the city delivering success.

From all of the above it shows how far all aspects of Plymouth basketball has come this season and today in front of a packed house at the pavilions we look forward to another amazing show.

THANK YOU AGAIN LET’S GO PATRIOTS!

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A WORD FROM

COACH PJ SPONSORED BY

Good evening and welcome to the Plymouth Pavilions for today’s BBL Championship match against London Lions

The lions have a very formidable team. They have great quality, strength, and depth throughout their roster.

Last weekend was fully of incident and talking points. Bristol flyers at home on Friday, probably was the game of the season so far. This game had everything. Some great basketball played at both ends of the court.

Having just played the Lions two days ago in London at the Copper Box and coming away with a fantastic win, this sets today’s game up nicely. We showed some real grit and toughness on Friday, and we will have to do the same today if we are to repeat the win and get that all important head-tohead over London.

Drama with both teams benches being ejected from the game in the third quarter, leaving both teams with only five players for the remainder of the fourth quarter. Little did we know that the game would go into double overtime!

We had the game won, then we lost it, then we drew level not once but twice before we won the game again. There was an unbelievable atmosphere in the pavilions as we pulled this game out the bag.

Two days later we played Cheshire away and this was a game that we had won, but with a little over three minutes to go we made some very disappointing errors at the defensive end and failed to close the game out as I would want. This ended up costing us the game.

Without question the efforts of the Bristol game took its toll in the end. I was supper proud of those players that put their bodies on the line for their teammates and this club, a great effort was made.

This is going to be a tough game, but we have shown in recent weeks that we can compete with any team when we are fully focused as a group, and everyone plays their part.

With some of the injuries that we are carrying it was decided to try and bring in some extra help. It very nearly didn’t happen, but I’m so delighted to welcome Troy Simons into the Patriots family.

Troy is a former teammate of our very own Antonio Williams back in college, so I’m very excited to see the impact he has on the team for the remainder of the season.

With a playoff position now in our control, I’m looking for us to continue playing in a very positive way, work hard and trust each other. If we do this, we will get what we deserve at the end of the season.

GO PATRIOTS!

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FIXTURES & RESULTS 2021/22 DATE

OPPONENTS

TIP OFF RESULT

SUN

10 October

H

Leicester Riders

BBL Cup

15:00

58 - 109

SUN

17 October

H

London Lions

BBL Cup

15:00

62 - 101

WED

20 October

H

Bristol Flyers

BBL Cup

19:00

69 - 82

SUN

24 October

A

Leicester Riders

BBL Cup

16:00

81 - 64

WED

27 October

H

Surrey Scorchers

BBL Cup

19:00

67 - 81

SUN

7 November

H

Newcastle Eagles

CH

15:00

74 - 99

WED

17 November

H

Manchester Giants

CH

19:00

93 - 99

SUN

21 November

A

Glasgow Rocks

CH

17:00

107 - 96

FRI

3 December

A

Sheffield Sharks

CH

19:30

62 - 51

SUN

5 December

A

Bristol Flyers

CH

15:00

58 - 78

WED

8 December

H

Sheffield Sharks

CH

19:00

61 - 65

SUN

19 December

A

Cheshire Phoenix

CH

17:30

120 - 69

MON

27 December

A

Leicester Riders

CH

20:00

106 - 60

WED

29 December

H

Bristol Flyers

CH

19:00

101 - 92

DATE

OPPONENTS

TIP OFF

RESULT

FRI

14 January

H

Surrey Scorchers

CH

19:00

82 - 73

SUN

16 January

A

Manchester Giants

CH

17:00

77 - 84

FRI

28 January

H

London Lions

CH

19:00

94 - 101

SUN

6 February

H

Surrey Scorchers

CH

15:00

87 - 74

FRI

11 February

A

Bristol Flyers

CH

19:30

73 - 77

SUN

13 February

H

Manchester Giants

CH

15:00

77 - 76

FRI

18 February

H

Bristol Flyers

CH

19:00

111 - 103

SUN

20 February

A

Cheshire Phoenix

CH

17:30

80 - 77

FRI

25 February

A

London Lions

CH

19:30

-

SUN

27 February

H

London Lions

CH

15:00

-

SUN

4 March

A

Newcastle Eagles

CH

19:30

-

TUE

8 March

H

Cheshire Phoenix

CH

19:00

-

SUN

13 March

A

Glasgow Rocks

CH

17:00

-

FRI

1 April

A

Sheffield Sharks

CH

19:30

-

WED

6 April

H

Leicester Riders

CH

19:00

-

SAT

9 April

A

Surrey Scorchers

CH

18:00

-

WED

13 April

H

Glasgow Rocks

CH

19:00

-

FRI

22 April

A

Leicester Riders

CH

20:00

SUN

24 April

H

Newcastle Eagles

CH

15:00

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PAUL JAMES Head Coach

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CAMERON KING Forward

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ANTONIO WILLIAMS Guard

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KOFI JOSEPHS Wing

#10

DENZEL UBIARIO Guard

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ISAIAH WALKER Forward

#17

LIAM LANGRIDGE-BARKER SG / Wing

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ELVISI DUSHA Guard

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ROWELL GRAHAM-BELL Forward

JOE HART Guard

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RASHAD HASSAN Forward

CAMERON KING FORWARD GENERAL POSITION: Big SPECIFIC POSITION:

PF/C

HEIGHT:

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AGE:

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YEAR BORN:

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HOME REGION:

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NATIONALITY:

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NATIONALITY TYPE:

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DEJI ADEKUNLE CENTRE GENERAL POSITION: Big SPECIFIC POSITION:

PF/C

HEIGHT:

6’10” (208m)

AGE:

29

YEAR BORN:

1992

HOME REGION:

London

NATIONALITY:

GBR

NATIONALITY TYPE:

Homegrown

LIAM LANGRIDGE BARKER WING / FORWARD GENERAL POSITION: Wing / Forward SPECIFIC POSITION:

SF

HEIGHT:

6’6” (198cm)

AGE:

21

YEAR BORN:

1999

HOME REGION:

South East

NATIONALITY:

GBR

NATIONALITY TYPE:

Homegrown

DENZEL UBIARO GUARD GENERAL POSITION: Guard SPECIFIC POSITION:

SG/PG

HEIGHT:

6’3” (191cm)

AGE:

24

YEAR BORN:

1997

HOME REGION:

London

NATIONALITY:

GBR

NATIONALITY TYPE:

Homegrown

ISAIAH WALKER WING / FORWARD GENERAL POSITION: Wing / Forward SPECIFIC POSITION:

SF

HEIGHT:

6’7” (201cm)

AGE:

22

YEAR BORN:

1999

HOME REGION:

Wales

NATIONALITY:

GBR

NATIONALITY TYPE:

Homegrown

ELVISI DUSHA GUARD GENERAL POSITION: Guard SPECIFIC POSITION:

PG

HEIGHT:

6’2” (188cm)

AGE:

27

YEAR BORN:

1994

HOME REGION:

London

NATIONALITY:

ALB / GBR

NATIONALITY TYPE:

Homegrown

ROWELL GRHAMBELL FORWARD GENERAL POSITION: Forward SPECIFIC POSITION:

SF

HEIGHT:

6’6” (198cm)

AGE:

27

YEAR BORN:

1994

HOME REGION:

London

NATIONALITY:

GBR

NATIONALITY TYPE:

Homegrown

KOFI JOSEPHS WING GENERAL POSITION: Wing SPECIFIC POSITION:

SG / SF

HEIGHT:

6’6” (198cm)

AGE:

30

YEAR BORN:

1991

HOME REGION:

West Midlands

NATIONALITY:

GBR

NATIONALITY TYPE:

Homegrown

RASHAD HASSAN BIG GENERAL POSITION: Big SPECIFIC POSITION:

PF / C

HEIGHT:

6’7” (201cm)

AGE:

32

YEAR BORN:

1989

HOME REGION:

Georgia

NATIONALITY:

USA

NATIONALITY TYPE:

Import

ANTIONO WILLAMS GUARD GENERAL POSITION: Guard SPECIFIC POSITION:

PG

HEIGHT:

6’0” (183cm)

AGE:

24

YEAR BORN:

1997

HOME REGION:

Chicago

NATIONALITY:

USA

NATIONALITY TYPE:

Import

JOE HART WING GENERAL POSITION: Wing SPECIFIC POSITION:

SG/SF

HEIGHT:

6’5” (196cm)

AGE:

28

YEAR BORN:

1993

HOME REGION:

East

NATIONALITY:

GBR

NATIONALITY TYPE:

Homegrown

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MATCH REPORT The Plymouth City Patriots four game winning streak would come to an end this weekend, but not before some incredible heroics, cheeky antics and truly epic drama.

On Sunday night, the exhausted and emotionally drained Patriots would lose to the league’s hottest team, the Cheshire Phoenix, after once again keeping things close and once again bringing the entire game down to one final play. Also not before some highlight reel basketball, namely from Antonio Williams, their six foot guard that can play above the rim. He would finish the game with 22 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. Rowell Graham-Bell would also impress, with 22 points and 8 rebounds, but the Phoenix would cling on to their slim lead as the game clock ran out, despite the Patriots leading for large portions of the game. The winning streak was over and the Patriots would lose 80-77 and have to make the long journey home without the two points, left only to look back over a grueling weekend that started so well on Friday night. A night of epic drama that literally had everything.

Having watched and covered the British Basketball League (BBL) for over thirty years, you can forgive me for thinking that I have seen everything the beautiful game has to offer. From the days following my beloved Worthing Bears, winning three straight Playoff Championships and the great Alan Cunningham, well into his forties, playing the role of captain, coach and mentor, dragging his dilapidated team from the seventh spot in the league, into the postseason and ultimately winning it all. I’ve seen games where teams are down by double figures with only seconds remaining, who somehow find a way to either tie the game or even win it, with last second heroics. I’ve witnessed on court disagreements and confrontations that have led to players and coaches being ejected and dismissed from games. But never have I seen all of these things take place in one single game.

Friday night would go down in history.

The South West Derby would be the backdrop for Friday night’s game and entering the game the Patriots and Bristol Flyers were tied one win a piece, this game being the decider and with it, bragging rights for the remainder of the season. The crowd was practically a sell out, save for one or two spare seats scattered around Pavilions and they would, as always, be in terrific voice. They’d need to be.

The visiting Flyers flew out of the blocks and controlled the early running from tip off. They opened up a double digit lead and always looked confident, doing an exceptional job of maintaining their lead and remaining just out of reach of the Patriots. At half time, the Flyers held a comfortable but slender seven point advantage. However, this is not the same Patriots team from the beginning of the season. Over the recent weeks they have shown their resolve and ability to come from behind.

Of course the never give up identity of the squad has been there from day one and it would certainly be key tonight.

The Patriots would take the upper hand in the third quarter, behind their fearless point guard, Antonio Williams, who scored eight points in the first few minutes of the half to reduce the deficit to four. The away side were left reeling somewhat and on the back foot. Williams and the Flyers own Corey Samuels would go head to head, after Samuels blocked Williams earlier in the game.

Williams would seek out Samuels on each play and the two would go at it verbally, talking to each other without a breath after each and every play. When Williams put the home team ahead for the first time since the start of the game, the trash talking would hit an all-time high. An immediate timeout was called by Coach Kapoulas bringing both sets of players onto the court, which was needed for the Flyers to regroup, but created a perfect storm of carnage. With the Patriots going ahead, the crowd at fever pitch, Williams and Samuels intensity and with both teams off the bench, chaos ensued.

Plenty of words were said between the players and all in close proximity.

Tempers flared, the visitors Marcus Evans lost his cool and a number of players needed to be separated. It was not a pretty sight. What followed was also quite the spectacle. Not the lengthy discussion among the referees and table officials who were trying to determine the outcome of the previous events, but Pat the Dog, the Patriots mascot, who had managed to get his paws on a fan’s handbag in an attempt to visually represent his opinion of what he’d just seen. “Handbags.” Pat then discarded the handbag near the center of the court, where the owner quickly ran onto the floor to grab it. She was quick in doing so and hurried back to her seat. However, as she did so Pat sprinted across the floor, hurdled the advertisement boards at full speed and parked himself perfectly in the way, leaving the fan with a seven foot

blue dog in her seat. The cameras picked up everything and the crowd was certainly entertained.

This, however, only prolonged the referee’s decision. A decision I hadn’t seen in the BBL up to this point. Following the rule that any player leaving the bench “in anger” faces immediate dismissal, the referees decided that both teams’ benches would be ejected from the game, meaning both teams would complete the match with just five players. Coach Kapoulas lost his cool at this point and received a technical foul for his behaviour, and the game was back on.

Both teams were left with three players from their starting lineup and both teams proved to be evenly matched. The Patriots would hold their lead and ultimately looked to close out the game late in the fourth quarter. The Flyers had other ideas. A three pointer from Trejon Jacob and two clutch free throws from Corey Samuels would give the visitors a three point lead with only thirteen seconds left on the clock. A timeout was called and everyone in the building knew the last shot would go to Antonio Williams, after his epic game winner less than one week ago. Indeed he did take the shot, but this time it was no good. In a scrap for the loose ball, it rolled out of bounds and the referees would once again confer, this time regarding who the ball touched last. It was deemed to have touched a Flyers player before going out of bounds and the Patriots would once again have the ball and six seconds to send the game into overtime. The inbound pass came in to Rashad Hassan, who faked the shot and found Elvisi Dusha with a pass, who shot the ball off balance and under pressure.

The crowd erupted as the shot sailed into the hoop. Nothing but net. The Flyers would have a couple of seconds to steal the game back, but ultimately came up short. Overtime would now await.

The first overtime would carry on where the fourth quarter left off. Neither team was really able to take control of the game and once again the teams would trade points right up until the last fifty seconds, when Samuels, Jacob and Zach Simmons scored consecutive baskets, giving the visitors a six point lead with only twenty seconds remaining. Game over? Of course not! The Patriots just refused to lay down. Joe Hart stepped up with a quick transition three to halve the lead, followed by tight defense and a turnover, giving the ball back to the Patriots with just fifteen seconds left to attempt to take the game to a second overtime. The ball was inbounded to Dusha, who found Hart, who shot the three ball that could save the Patriots… it missed. However, Rowell Graham-Bell was on hand to grab the offensive rebound and with practically no time left on the clock, he dribbled the ball to the corner and put up a three pointer. It couldn’t be, could it? Yes it could and it was! Nothing but net and once again the Patriots had rallied to send the game to a second overtime. “We needed a three and nothing else would do, so when I grabbed the rebound, it was like, my turn! If anyone had to take the shot to tie the game, I’d rather it was me…” said Graham-Bell post game.

Once again these two teams, exhausted and running on empty, would trade baskets with the game going down to the wire. Finally the Patriots would take control, with less than a minute to go,

Williams would come up with a steal and essentially the game. He would hit two free throws after being fouled on a drive to the basket, forcing the Flyers to shoot an early three, which Raphell Thomas-Edwards would miss, followed by a Hassan rebound and a Graham-Bell layup. Williams would go to the line once more for two free throws and the game was over. The Patriots took the win 110-103. Dusha, (6 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists), Hart, (15 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists), Hassan, (26 points, 7 rebounds), Graham-Bell, (22 points, 13 rebounds and Williams who played all fifty minutes, (35 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists), were all named as Patriots Players of the Game.

Credit to both teams for an epic encounter and giving it their all. It was almost a shame that there could only be one winner, but with it the bragging rights for the rest of the season.

Coach Paul James was exhausted but ecstatic in his post game interview, “...We had a great crowd in Pavilions again tonight and the atmosphere was electric. I can’t credit the five guys who played the last 30 minutes or so in the second half quite enough. We had a few opportunities to blow the game wide open, which we didn’t take, but in the end we did enough to take the win.”

With the Patriots playoff chasing rivals, Glasgow Rocks losing both of their fixtures over the weekend, it would appear that the Plymouth team are becoming favourites to take the eighth seed. They cannot afford to take their foot off the gas, however, as this weekend they have a double header, taking on the richest team in the land, the London Lions. All eyes will be on the Patriots, to see if they can upset the Lions and continue their positive form.

Set in 180 acres of exquisite countryside, China Fleet Country Club provides the perfect opportunity for a break away from suburban life.

Whatever your age, interests, or work pattern, you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll love at China Fleet.

• 18 hole golf course • Health club facilities (gym, Aqua Spa, exercise classes, swimming pool, racquet sports) • Barn Spa – Beauty & Wellbeing • Toptracer Driving Range • Indoor and outdoor dining • Woodland Adventure Golf • Woodland Fairy Trail • Weddings • Event and meeting rooms • 4 Star self catering accommodation For more information please visit the website

T&Cs apply

Call 01752 848668 www.china-fleet.co.uk

SPEAK TO US ABOUT SPONSORSHIP TODAY.

WITH YOUR HELP WE CAN BRING BASKETBALL TO ALL! WE ARE MAKING IT OUR MISSION TO BRING BASKETBALL TO ALL AGES AND ABILITIES. WITH YOUR HELP THROUGH SPONSORSHIP WE CAN MAKE THIS DREAM A REALITY.

COMMERCIAL@PLYMOUTHCITYPATRIOTS.COM SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES CAN BE VIEWED ON OUR WEBSITE

GRAPHIC DESIGN CREATIVE HERO How do you choose the right people to create your brand, conceive your next ad campaign, or design packaging for your new product? There are numerous agencies and freelancers in the Plymouth area alone, many producing strong creative work. Clearly, you need to check their portfolios and fees. But, crucially, you also need to know how they work and why they design the way they do.

Great design is as much about function, as it is about being beautiful. My approach is to understand your plans, assess the challenges you may face, and find effective solutions to realise your goals. Whatever the job, I aim to produce design that increases recognition in your target audience, tells your story and prompts customers to choose you over your competition.

Just speak to my clients and see what they have to say.

“THE GUY’S A GENIUS”

~ Carl Heslop, Obedair Construction & Patriots Chairman

This is me! I can be found in the middle of the 2nd row on game days. Come and say hello. Or contact me on email if i’m not here.

Click the button to play my archive reel.

And don’t forget to check out my latest work on my website.

OFFICIAL BRAND & DESIGN PARTNER OF