Prior ready to build Championship momentum

Ten teams take to the court this weekend in what promises to be another intriguing two days of Championship action.

On Sunday, Sevenoaks Suns welcome Nottingham Wildcats  hoping to protect their advantage at the top of table and keep their unblemished league record intact.

For the Wildcats, January is already set to be a colossal month. The Nottinghamshire based franchise will have the opportunity to earn the season’s first piece of silverware, having advanced to January’s Cup Final.

After a slow start to their Championship defence, the reigning league champions are ready to build on the momentum acquired before the festive break.

“Ending with a good win going into the Christmas break was a nice end to the year and a timely confidence boost for the team going into the New Year,” noted Great Britain international Siobhán Prior.

“I think the break has done everyone good. It provides an opportunity to mentally separate the two halves of the season.

“I have every faith that we will continue to make strides in the right direction and continue to get better as a group and be ready to execute in the important moments.”

Having seen Sevenoaks start the year where they left off, with a convincing win over Cardiff Met Archers, Prior knows her team will need to be at its best to inflict defeat on the Suns.

“Sevenoaks will be a good test for us. They have already hit the ground running with a win over Cardiff and it’ll be our first game after the break.

“It will be important for us to focus on how we start. We can’t afford a slow start – we have to be ready from the opening tip.

“The Suns are a very balanced team defensively and if you allow them to move the ball and cut freely it is hard to stop their offence.

“We have to slow the ball down and play team defence in the half court – making sure we finish every defensive play with a box out and rebound.”

Oaklands Wolves begin the weekend at home against Manchester Mystics, before Caledonia Pride host Cardiff Met Archers to round out Saturday’s fixtures.

On Sunday, Leicester Riders face BA London Lions and Team Northumbia meet the local rivals Durham Palatinates to conclude the day’s schedule.

WBBL Fixtures Saturday

Wolves v Mystics – 3:45PM

Pride v Archers – 5:00PM

WBBL Fixtures Sunday

Suns v Wildcats – 3:30PM

Riders v Lions – 4:30PM

Northumbria v Palatinates – 5:00PM

#BritishBasketball