Gary Stronach targets Eagles’ pair
Plymouth Raiders coach Gary Stronach has identified Newcastle Eagles guard Reggie Jackson and centre Darius Defoe as key threats on Tyneside tonight.
Defoe had a game-high 26 points, on 11/16 shooting and 18 rebounds in the previous meeting between the rivals this season.
Jackson added 20 points and hit 3/5 from the three-point line, in Eagles’ 96-95 overtime loss at Raiders on November 1.
Raiders guard Anthony Martin is set to stand toe-to-toe with Jackson for the full 40 minutes tonight, while Raiders big-men Matt Hilleary and Anthony Rowe will split shifts to try and contain Defoe.
“Defensively, we’ve got to handle Darius Defoe inside,” said Stronach. “He really hurt us before. And Anthony Martin has got a big match-up with Reggie Jackson, who likes to control the tempo.”
Rowe had not rejoined Raiders when Eagles visited the Pavilions earlier this month.
Eagles also have made changes, largely because player-coach Fab Flournoy badly fractured a finger in practice 24 hours before the trip to Plymouth.
Flournoy has not played since and has added development players, guard Aaron Nielsen and forward Jamie Glen to a new eight-man rotation.
Nielsen is home-grown, while Glen was recruited from Manchester Magic’s academy.
Nielsen started alongside Jackson in Eagles’ backcourt in the 87-63 win over Worcester Wolves last weekend.
On paper he had a quiet 16 minutes, but his inclusion allows Flournoy to bring guard Joe Chapman off the bench.
Chapman was recruited in the off-season to fill the considerable boots of reigning BBL Player of the Year, Trey Moore, but struggled at the Pavilions in November and was upstaged by Raiders guard Allister Gall.
