The end of 2018 is approaching, and with all five Aztecs teams heading into the holiday period, and players conducting their own personal fitness programmes, it is time to take a look at how they have fared since the summer.
The Storm are, once again, the most successful side in the club, unbeaten in all competitions, top of Ladies Div. 1 and into the cup semi-final where they will play Woking Blackhawk Ladies in Woking on January 16th. The team plays good basketball at both ends of the court and will be keen to go one better than last year when they won the league and the play-offs but missed out on the cup which they had won in 2016.
The Suns have only lost one game in Ladies Div. 2 but sit down in 6th place as they have only played four games so far. They lost in the cup to Div. 1 outfit Winchester Angels, and their only league defeat was to Aldworth Darts who are currently at the top of Div. 2. They play in the plate first game back in 2019 at home to Yateley Silverbacks Ladies. They play great basketball, illustrated in their fine 31-point win over Reading Rockets at the beginning of December.
The Jags have had a frustrating season to date, with Coach Purvey still looking for a full-strength team compete for a full 40 minutes. They are currently 9th in Div. 1 and searching for a first league win, although they did secure a victory in the cup, beating Basingstoke Blizzards before going down by just 11 away to high-flying South Bucks Comets.
The Lemmings are also 9th in their league of 10 teams, with a record of 1 and 6, however they are into the plate semi-final, due to be played on 15th January at Wellington, against Yateley Silverbacks 2’s. They progressed to this stage on the back of a fine Friday night win by 3 points over Woking Blackhawk Thunder B.
The Falcons have two Div. 3 wins under their belt and are also 9th in their league of 11 teams. Their cup run was halted by Div. 1 team Craftsmen LT Utd, and their plate plans were smashed by Div. 2 unit Yateley Silverbacks 2. The team continues to make progress, confidence is high, and the players have a really positive attitude to training and matches.
Foul shooting in all three men’s teams needs to improve, with coaches setting a minimum target of 50% for the rest of the season from the foul line, and rebounding needs to be made a priority also.
Fixtures in January 2019:
Sunday 6th Suns home to Yateley Silverbacks Ladies 3pm in Karl Taylor Plate
Monday 7th Falcons away to Yateley Silverbacks 3 8.20pm in Div. 3
Tuesday 8th Lemmings home to Basingstoke Blizzards 2 7.30pm in Div. 2
Tuesday 8th Jags away to Basingstoke Blizzards 8.25pm in Div. 1
Wednesday 9th Storm away to Woking Blackhawk Ladies 8.15pm in Ladies Div. 1
On January 1stthe local BBL team Surrey Scorchers are playing at home to the London City Royals, tip off at 2pm. Several top GB internationals will be on view on both sides and the New Year’s Day games at the Surrey Sports Park (GU2 7AD) have a history of being entertaining matches. All members of the Aztecs are entitled to cheaper match tickets, and Gavin Baker has circulated details of the code to be used when booking. Contact your team coach if you need to be reminded of this information. The game starts at 2pm but entrance is usually from at least half an hour before that. It would be a great way to start the new year!
Happy Christmas everyone – have a fantastic break, keep fit and healthy (and for some recover quickly), and good luck to all teams for the rest of the season in 2019.
Jean O’List
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