Gandy expects Hatters to utilise experience in Trophy opener

The WBBL Trophy continues to take centre stage this weekend as six teams take to the court over two days of compelling action.
Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters begin their Trophy campaign on Sunday.

The side from Yorkshire welcome Durham Palatinates for what promises to be an exciting contest.

“Durham is a young and upcoming team in the middle of a great run,” enthused Great Britain international Steph Gandy.

“We will have to be on our game from the opening tip.

“It should be a fun one to watch and I’m looking forward to the battle.

“At the end of the day, however, we are an experienced team with a strong confidence in our abilities.

“If we stick to our game plan and have consistency on both ends of the floor, we will have a great chance of putting ourselves in a winning position.

“We are all excited to get our Trophy challenge underway.

“It’s great that the league is looking to evolve and try fresh ideas.

“The timing of the competition makes this weekend even more intriguing, with several key players and coaching staff across the league away on Commonwealth Games duties.”

The veteran forward is enjoying a characteristically impressive season. For Sheffield’s Club Captain it’s a case of “maintaining the same high standards that have been integral to the success of the franchise during previous seasons.”

“As I’ve gotten older Ness (Vanessa Ellis) has used me more and more as another voice in the locker room,” revealed Gandy.

“I have taken on more of a mentor role to the younger players in recent years.

“The fact we’ve been able to maintain our competitiveness for so long speaks highly of our development pathway.

“Our aim is to always convert our juniors into future first team players. That is the philosophy that guides our franchise.

“I also think the fact that we recruit players who are unselfish and can do multiple things on the court means we are a very difficult team to matchup against.”

On Saturday, Cardiff Met Archers begin the weekend’s action against Leicester Riders before Oaklands Wolves look to bounce back from defeat against high-flying Sevenoaks Suns.

Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters and Durham Palatinates conclude the weekend’s Trophy schedule on Sunday.

WBBL Fixtures Saturday
Archers v Riders (TRO) – 2:30PM
Wolves v Suns (TRO) – 3:45PM

WBBL Fixtures Sunday
Hatters v Palatinates (TRO) – 2:00PM

#BritishBasketball