Friday Feeling

Leicester Riders, Sevenoaks Suns and Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters are yet to taste defeat so far this season.

All three are in action tomorrow with Len Busch’s Suns travelling to Leicester Arena in a game streamed live on Riders’ Facebook page.

The reigning WBBL Play-Off champions have hit the ground running and according to Chantelle Pressley the fast start is a result of the team’s work ethic.

“We work hard: in the weight room, during practice and at our shooting sessions. We are a veteran team with great leadership.

“If we continue to execute our offense, communicate on defence and focus on the little things we can win a lot of games.

“However, the league is so competitive this year that every game is a potential threat to our unbeaten record. The fact Leicester is also yet to lose only adds to the excitement surrounding the fixture for the fans.”

The anticipation preceding the fixture is evident among both sets of players and the home side is keen to make the most of it.

“For us basketball should be fun for the entire team, from the players on court to those on the bench and you can see with us that we enjoy the buzz of the game,” declared Riders forward Jamila Thompson.

“It’s exciting that both teams are unbeaten. It definitely adds a certain vibe to the contest and an extra layer of motivation to try and get the win.

“If we can successfully recognise where the shooters are on the floor and make them as uncomfortable as possible, by playing tough defence for the whole game, we’ll give ourselves a great chance of victory.”

Meanwhile, Hatters host Wildcats with the road team buoyed by consecutive victories as they take on the 5-0 leaders.

The WBBL Cup also gets underway this weekend as Cardiff Archers welcome Caledonia Pride with the side from Scotland looking to return to winning ways having suffered back-to-back defeats. BA London Lions will also hope the change of format can work wonders as the side look to record their opening victory of the season against the visiting Oaklands Wolves.

Team Northumbria round out the weekend at home, on Sunday, Durham Palatinates the opposition in what promises to be a hard-fought Cup derby.

WBBL Fixtures Saturday

Archers v Pride (Cup) – 2:00pm

Lions v Wolves (Cup) – 4:00pm

Hatters v Wildcats – 4:00pm

Riders v Sevenoaks – 4:30pm

WBBL Fixtures Sunday

Northumbria v Palatinates (Cup) – 6:00pm

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