As Glasgow Rocks and Everton Tigers prepare for the Final showdown of the season, both their coaches are fired up for what is set to be a cracking finale to the 2009/10 BBL season. Rocks player-coach, Sterling Davis (pictured), gave credit to his side for the way they played in the Playoff Semi Final against the league’s second-placed side, Sheffield Sharks: ‘Full credit to the guys for how they played against Sharks, and they’ve got us to the point where we are at the moment’ he said: ‘I certainly can’t complain about how we’ve finished the season. We played well against Sharks; we had some setbacks in the first half at home, but stepped up in the second half and retained the lead for the majority of the game.’

Meanwhile Tigers coach, Tony Garbelotto, was overjoyed with the two 95-79 defeats that his team inflicted on Newcastle Eagles in their Semi Final. The Londoner had positive things to say about all of his players, but singled out his GB contingent firstly as having performed exceptionally for the Merseyside club: ‘I’m extremely proud of how my British players have done’ he said: ‘Olu [Babalola] has been one of the best players in the league, and he doesn’t get the respect he deserves. Yeah, there’s Mike Cook and Trey Moore, but there’s no one harder to guard in the league, and he’s a tough match-up for every team. If you put a small guy on him with single coverage he takes them to the post, and if you put a big guy on him he’s too athletic and shoots the ball from outside.’ He continued: ‘James Jones has taken an incredible step up to the next level, he’s making shots everywhere, he’s doing more than that as defensively he’s become a stronger player. Andy Thompson is unheralded by many people, his shot is consistent and he has very sound fundamentals.’

Manchester-born Jones, son of Manchester Magic Head Coach Jeff Jones, feels that he and his team mates can cope with the Rocks: ‘We match-up well with the Rocks, they’ve beaten us convincingly at home but we’ve won up there. It’s a match-up we’re definitely comfortable with’ he said.

After tomorrow comes the long wait for the start of the next Basketball season, so don’t miss your chance to be there, in the heart of the action at the NIA, and buy your tickets today. Tickets start at just £16 for adults and £11 for children, click here to buy online or call the NIA box office on 0844 338 8000. Tickets can be purchased on the door as well from the box office, at the same prices.