Northern Conference

Chester Jets
Coach: Robbie Peers 
Buzz in Brief: Working on a shoestring budget, Peers has recruited impressively. His star capture is ex-NBA centre Loren Meyer while New Zealand captain Pero Cameron returns.

On paper: "People are saying Chester look tough," says coach Robbie Peers. "Chester aren’t tough because they aren’t even here yet. How can we look tough ? There have been many better teams on paper than Chester who have done nothing in this league."

The Chester chief is, rightly, dampening down the hype which surrounds a starting five which is, at first glance, one of the best in the league. Meyer will either be the signing of the decade or an underwhelming bust, his current lack of touch and extra pounds the subject of his coach's attention since his arrival in early September. A player who was only five years ago selected in the first round of the NBA draft has been out of the game for a year after a personal tragedy and no one, least of all Meyer, really knows how he will react to the surrounding of the Northgate Arena.

"Most kids in America when they are growing up have certain ambitions. They usually want to play in the NBA and then hopefully, to play at the Northgate Arena. I'm giving (Loren) that opportunity to fulfil that dream," jokes Peers. "His background is somewhat different to most players in this league. He'll have to show me he can adjust and be hungry and committed.

"So far so good. The signs and his signals and actions suggest he is serious and he wants to perform for Chester. He's going to have good times and bad times. I'm looking for him to dig in deep and give us everything over seven months."

For the first time, the Jets will have four of last year's starters return. Dave Gardner will revert to a sixth man role, while James Hamilton comes back after a summer spent in the New Zealand league.

The other returnee, coming straight from performing a haka in front of a bemused Kevin Garnett et al the Olympics, is Kiwi captain Pero Cameron. The forward is however over-weight, a concern to Peers, who believes his import will need to get back in shape to repeat his excellent form of last season. 

And added to the mix is point guard Tarik Wallace, a product of Arkansas, who has been given one month to prove his worth to Peers but who comes with positive Stateside reviews, while losing Terrence Lewis is a blow, veteran Joe Daughrity should be able to step into his shoes adequately.

Overall though, the recruitment process has gone well in Chester.

"In any team sport if you can bring back the back bone and have that continuity, it really helps," concludes Peers. "My goal is to make the play-offs for the second year in a row. The club's never done that.  And be competitive in every game. If we can do that, who knows what can happen ?"
 

Britball.com Prediction: As usual, Jets' lack of depth could count against them. A great nucleus although one which may start slowly and improve exponentially. Look for a run to the last four of one of the knock out competitions if Meyer can come close to his NBA showing. A big unknown who could finish as high as second if it all came together but we reckon..
Fifth in the North.
 

Derby Storm
Coach: Kevin Wall
Buzz in Brief: Still a work in progress after deciding to change their
coach late in the summer. Mike New joins from Edinburgh while a nucleus of British veterans offers some depth. 

On paper: Who knows really how / good bad this team will be ? Wall certainly has a good background but hasn't coached properly since leaving Belgium three years ago. Martin Ford did an admirable job under difficult circumstances last term and it remains a surprise that owner Mike Horton elected to bring in a newcomer so late in the summer after promising Ford a second term.

Starting point guard Demar Moore is known as a clutch shooter but not a big-time scorer, and even Wall concedes that his role will be to create opportunities for others rather than himself. 

LJ Johnson, the likely starter at small forward, notched 17 points and 6 rebounds in his senior year at college but coming from a small conference, his worth is hard to judge.

New is the one tangible, an all-round solid pro who will provide points, boards and most importantly perhaps, leadership among a youthful initial five although the always under-rated Carl Miller should be a big plus if, as declared, he is back to full fitness after two problematic seasons.

Joel Burns and Stedroy Baker are the late additions but while both are capable performers, Burns is once again over-weight, a habitual failing which lessened his impact at the start of last season.

On the bench, there is little to suggest that help will arrive if necessary. Bryan Balser is an excellent spot-up shooter but a liability on defence, while the ability of Hilroy Thomas to remain in the BBL every autumn is astounding, his input often limited to physical intervention.
 

Britball.com Prediction: With the centre yet to sign, Wall's programme has an unfinished feel and Storm fans must hope that unlike last year, there is no self-destruct button lurking under the bench. Wall could be an inspired capture but it's unlikely that Derby will be making any run anywhere near silverware..
Sixth in the North.
 

Edinburgh Rocks
Coach: Greg Lockridge 
Buzz in Brief: Crowd favourite Ted Berry returns to lead a much changed side. Newly signed Gaylon Moore and Chris Junge are unknown
quantities and Lockridge requires some help from his Scottish reserves.

On paper: With a new owner, new coach and largely a new team, the Scottish side are going to have a tough task to reach the heights they scaled under Jim Brandon last term. 

Lockridge, a surprise choice as coach, is coming off a terrible season in the IBA where his team went through so many players that even his own General Manager confessed surprise that his playcaller was not shown the door.

However at Meadowbank, the American believes he can find salvation by producing a defensive orientated squad who can be better than the sum of their parts.

"You have to go with your strengths," Lockridge declares. "Last year in the IBA, I went away from my strengths. I was trying to become more of on offensive guy but I didn't have  a lot of success with it. We'll keep it simple here but defensively we'll really go after it.

"The goal is to try to be competitive. We want to begin where they left last year. If we can make a run and get in the play-offs, that's what you hope for in your first year. And to excite the fans every night. This is a five year process. Anything that comes early is gravy."

Offensively however it should be more straightforward. Ted Berry, somewhat in the shadow of John McCord last year, will be given the ball at every opportunity and should average 25 points per night. 

Newcomers Chris Junge and Gaylon Moore may need time to adjust although both possess different facets to their game. Junge can shoot the three as well as shot block, however his lack of foot speed renders him vulnerable to foul trouble, something the Rocks can ill afford. Moore is extremely athletic but may be easily nullified by strong interior defence.

Jerrell Bowman and Chris Webber will be consistent performers but no-one expects either to start setting the BBL on fire. While Webber looks in great shape, Bowman is still too prone to losing possession which will mean Berry will have to shoulder much of the point guard duties, a role which takes away from his shooting capabilities.

In reserve, Edinburgh possess a bunch of Scots who if they play hard will provide a decent level of help, in particular the much-improved Campbell Flockhart. Yet it could be one season too many for Iain Maclean, who even at 35 remains a great prescence but whose physical deterioration limits his playing time.

"It's very important to have veteran leadership and that's wherever you go," Lockridge adds. "Ted Berry is a franchise player and Jerrell Bowman is a very good player and I'm counting on their leadership to make this thing work.

"They are going to be able to help the young Scottish players get over the stumbling blocks throughout the season and they are going to be able to give a better scouting report than any piece of paper or any film, because they have played these guys and they understand them. They are very valuable to us."
 

Britball.com Prediction: Expect a long winter at Meadowbank. Much will hinge on the ability of Moore to step up and make a speedy transition into the professional ranks, in order to give the Rocks a second option behind Berry. Rebounding should be a strength but the Scots lack the firepower to contend with more varied sides. 
Seventh in the North.

Who will finish ahead ? Part Two of our Northern Conference 
 

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