Reading Rockets (6-3) will look to make it six wins on the spin this weekend when they finally return to their regular home venue at the Rivermead Leisure Complex to host National Cup finalists Team Solent Kestrels (5-4) on Sunday afternoon (5pm tip-off) in both teams’ final game of 2016.
Rockets made it five wins from five last Sunday when they comfortably defeated Loughborough Student Riders by 88 points to 67 behind Captain Danny Carter’s 23 points personal to lift the Berkshire outfit into the top four of NBL Division One for the first time this campaign.
Head Coach Manuel Peña Garcés was pleased after seeing his team record win number five in a row but knows Sunday’s final game of the year will provide his team arguably their toughest test of their current run. The Spanish play-caller said,
“Slowly but surely we are putting in better performances and improving our behaviours and approaches to each of our practices and games and this has enabled us to go on a good run before the Christmas break so I am happy with this.”
“However, it is important that we keep this momentum going and remain focused until the final buzzer on Sunday and therefore this week’s practices will be crucial in terms of another step forward in the areas we have been working on as well as preparation for a team that is on a high right now after reaching the National Cup final.”
Assistant Coach Alan Keane knows that the game against Solent is really important for the Berkshire outfit as they look to see out the year on a winning note and keep themselves right in contention at the top of the league. In speaking about Sunday’s opposition, the Irishman said,
“Solent is a dangerous opponent right now and they will be especially on a high after their cup semi-final win. They have a talented roster and have brought in some new faces since we played them last in the National Trophy. A combination of youth and experience is key in this league and that is what has helped them so far so it is important for us to prepare well for the game in terms of keeping focused on our goals as well as being prepared for the threats we will come up against.”
The meeting between the two teams will be the second of the season with the Rockets claiming victory back at the beginning of October by 79 points to 65 in the National Trophy. And the Reading team will be heading in to their first game back at Rivermead with no new injury worries despite being nine games in to the regular season. The Berkshire outfit will be hoping their home court provides them with success after many years of fond memories as Rockets look to close out 2016 on a high.
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