Fans can expect another exciting weekend of action as ten teams take to the court in search of Championship success.
BA London Lions welcome Oaklands Wolves to Barking Abbey Leisure Centre on Friday, still seeking their first Championship points of the season.
Despite being unable to secure victory, the side from the capital put together one of their most accomplished performance of the season last time out against high-flying Leicester Riders.
According to Wolves Head Coach Lee Ryan the game is “set to be a battle.”
“Lions have shown they can frustrate the opposition and keep scoring to a minimum.
“We’ll need to play with confidence and execute our game plan. Taking care of the ball will be essential.
“At the moment we are giving away too many easy scores. If we can stop this we will be in good shape,” concluded Ryan.
The visitors can somewhat sympathise with the Lions’ current position, having had to wait until the first month of their second season in the WBBL to earn their first Championship victory.
While the London-based franchise have amassed over twenty Championship victories during their first three seasons in the WBBL, the side remain only one of two teams yet to record a win so far during this campaign.
The Lions will have additional motivation heading into the weekend having been knocked out of the Cup by Oaklands in heartbreaking fashion earlier in the season.
? @KellieRing ?? @itskrisztinagy for the WIN! @Oaklandsball advance in the Cup with the game-winning triple at the buzzer #BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/l8j8yNPHOa
— WBBL (@WBBLofficial) October 30, 2017
But the visitors head to the capital with a new look roster, having lost two of its most influential players.
“It’s difficult to lose two players of the calibre of Kellie Ring and Aliz Varga,” noted Ryan.
“There’s no doubt it has had an influence on our performances.
“But we have a deep squad and our younger players will get the chance to step in and earn more minutes.
“We are looking for additions but at this stage it’s a challenge to find the right fit. So rather than fill the void we’ve changed our style.
“Players like Lizzy Harrison and Ester Vazquaz have already increased their production and others will follow.”
On Saturday, Caledonia Pride host in-form Team Northumbria in a contest both sides will be hopeful of claiming victory. Elsewhere, Leicester Riders take on Cardiff Met Archers before Nottingham Wildcats battle Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters.
Durham Palatinates conclude the weekend’s schedule against the visiting Manchester Mystics.
WBBL Fixtures Friday
Lions v Wolves – 7:00PM
WBBL Fixtures Saturday
Pride v Northumbria – 1:00PM
Riders v Archers – 4:30PM
Wildcats v Hatters – 5:30PM
WBBL Fixtures Sunday
Palatinates v Mystics – 3:00PM
#BritishBasketball