Newcastle Eagles player-coach, Fabulous Flournoy, is excited at the prospect of resurrecting an old rivalry between the Eagles and Cheshire Jets, ahead of this week’s clash in the BBL Trophy Final between the two sides. During their ‘Jetwash’ season (2001-02) which saw them achieve a clean sweep of all domestic honours, the Jets overcame the Eagles 92-81 at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena. However, the last time the two sides met in a Final was the 2005 Playoff Final, and it was the Eagles who had the last laugh, as they won 75-78.

Flournoy commented: ‘I am excited to be in a Trophy Final again this year, and there is no doubt that we have a tough test on our hands with the Jets. That’s what that team was put together for – to win big games, and I think that for the fans, it will be a fascinating Final.’ Whilst he paid tribute to the veteran weapons that the Jets possess in James Hamilton and Shawn Myers, Flournoy admitted that he was also impressed with what he saw from the first-year Jets players, and British guard Steven Gayle: ‘Both teams in this final have a lot of great players’ he said: ‘Paul Smith has done a fantastic job at Cheshire and has had a lot to cope with, especially with Calvin (Davis) being injured for so long. Both teams have a lot of great players – Paul Peterson is a great distributor for them, whilst J Ham (James Hamilton) and Shawn Myers are turning back the clock, but the signing of the season for them has to be (Colin) O’Reilly. He stabilises everything they do and Chez Marks has once again been great for them. (Steven) Gayle is having a great season as a steady British veteran who gives them even more leadership and experience, and they are the only team that have been in both Finals this season so far.’

Tickets for the second showpiece event of the season are still on sale, so why not click here to buy yours now and ensure that you don’t miss out on what will be a highlight of the season? Tickets are also still available on the day at Guildford Spectrum, at no additional cost.