Riders return to JSSC with blow-out win over USA Select A Team

Riders point guard, Cameron Rundles: “I think we played a lot better than in our first pre-season game and I think our chemistry is getting better. I was pleased with the way we played today”.

Riders BBL legend, Robert Youngblood: “All the guys are stepping up to the challenge, everyone is working hard and playing defence”

Youngblood on Cameron Rundles: “I like him. He’s a complete point guard. He can score when he wants to, he can pass the ball and he plays defence”.

Riders Coach, Rob Paternostro: “We improved from last week, no doubt about it. Last week we were a little disappointing but we turned up the intensity in practice the last few days and I think we improved our execution during the game”.

The Leicester Riders played their first pre-season game at the JSSC against a USA Select A Team in what ended up being a blow-out for the Riders as they won, 103-60.

The game started at a lightning pace with new point guard, Cameron Rundles, showing the loyal Leicester fans what he can do as he led the break, hitting the open man time and time again.

One player to benefit from Rundles’ court vision was the returning Tom Sherlock who was found open on the baseline on numerous occasions. His off-season training in America must have been well spent as Sherlock showed a previously unseen aggressive streak as he attacked the rim relentlessly, causing the Select A a defensive headache.

The offensive production continued in the second half, albeit at a slower pace as Rundles and then Wierzbicki showed solid half court execution as they dictated the play to get their team mates open looks.

And when Wierzbicki wasn’t dishing the ball to the cutting man, he was hoisting up shots as he established his range in the JSSC.

And finally for the Riders new boys, Ayron Hardy. Hardy displayed his entire skill-set as he picked the pocket of a number of Select A players before throwing down a handful of dunks on the break. Sprinkle in the occasional post move and left handed hook shots and Hardy is going to be a force in the BBL.

It may have only been a pre-season tie but in terms of potential for the season ahead, the Leicester Riders report card shows A+: “Watch this space”.

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Keith Firmin is a freelance journalist who reports for the Leicester Riders and can be contacted at: Keith@leicesterriders.co.uk – Follow Keith on twitter @keiththejourno