|
|
| CHANGES ON AND OFF COURT AT THE JETS |
Following the departure of player coach TJ Walker, the Big Storage Cheshire Jets have made changes both in the coaching and playing areas. Paul Smith , at present Director of Basketball and assistant coach, will step up to become the full time chief coach, while on the court, Trey Moore, BBL player of the year in the Jets’ last BBL Championship winning year in 2005, will fly in this week to strengthen the squad.
|
Trey Moore |
|
Paul Smith commented, “ I am really looking forward to working with these guys: they are a really hard working, honest group of players who have had a season dominated by injuries to key players at crucial times and some distractions off the court. Despite all the challenging times, they have never stopped trying. They stick together, and play their hearts out every time. They truly deserve success, and with any luck Trey’s arrival will help them towards our goal of a play off place.
Trey Moore, once a member of the famous Harlem Globetrotters set-up, is a 6’4” combo guard with a dazzling array of skills both offensive and defensive. He last played for the Jets in 2004-5 when he was voted the League’s MVP after averaging 22.4 points per game, 5.3 assists per game and a healthy 78.4% success rate from the free throw line! When he left at the end of that championship season, he signed with Shanshi Dongshen and played the entire season in China. He had a very good season and was offered a contract to return but chose to pursue opportunities in Europe. Trey joined Jacksonville Jam, one of the top ABA teams, after returning from China and used the opportunity to stay in top condition. He was in the top ten in the league in scoring and assists before leaving the team in March to join Strasbourg in Pro-A France. He joined Strasbourg in March and had a positive impact on the team including a 14 pts+9 rebounds+5 assists game in a win against Chalon. |
Trey himself added, “When Paul [Smith] phoned me last week, it took me all of thirty seconds to agree to re-join the Big Storage Cheshire Jets. I enjoyed my time in Chester last time around and have great memories of both the place and the people. I look forward to renewing old acquaintances and meeting new people. I’m sure I can do a job with Paul and the other guys over the next few months and we can nail that play-off place.
Trey is expected to fly into Manchester airport early this week and, provided all the formalities go smoothly , he will hook up with the rest of the squad for training this week and make his first appearance at the Northgate on Sunday against the table-topping Newcastle Eagles in a quick re-match of last weekend’s BBL Trophy semi-final which saw the under-manned Cheshire side bow out of the competition.
Injuries will keep both Marc Pratt and Shaun Myers sidelined for some time. Marc’s dislocated shoulder needs time to regain strength, while Shaun’s dislocated and fractured finger could see him out for up to another month.
Sunday’s morale-boosting victory over the Scottish Rocks at the Northgate when the Jet’s “skeleton crew” - the six remaining fit players – led the high-flying visitors from tip to buzzer did much to improve the mood in the squad and having the coaching side sorted out and a new recruit on the court should help to maintain this. |
|
|
|
|
|
