This week, the SBC Game of the Week will be in attendance at Portobello High School to watch City of Edinburgh Kings go head-to-head with Edinburgh rivals, Boroughmuir Blaze.
The hosts, City of Edinburgh have had a shaky start to the season. They currently sit 5th in the table, having lost their season opener to Dunfermline Reign (which you can read the report here), then winning against Stirling Knights and St. Mirren West College Scotland, but most recently losing to Sony Centre Fury.
The team’s leading scorer so far in the league has been youngster, Kyle Jiminez who is currently averaging 18.3 points per game. To go along with this, Calum Nicol and team captain, Paddy Campbell have both also made solid contributions for their team, each averaging 12.3 points and 11 points respectively. After missing the first couple of games to injury, Ali Mackay has returned and made an immediate impact, averaging 13.5 points and 13.5 rebounds in the team’s last two contests.
It was an efficient return from injury for @Alistair_Mackay who had 15pts & 13rbds in @EdinburghBBall's win over St Mirren. #SBCGotW pic.twitter.com/VcGYK0FLIS
— basketballscotland (@basketballscot) September 26, 2017
Captain, Paddy Campbell had the following to say ahead of Friday’s fixture;
“We’ve had some really close games against Blaze in recent seasons. They play a fast paced style of basketball that we will have to guard against. But we know that if we play to our strengths and stay focused on our own game plan, we can beat any team in this league.”
The visitors, Boroughmuir Blaze come into this fixture currently 3rd in the league, winning against Pleasance, Glasgow Storm and Stirling Knights, but falling it at the hands of Dunfermline Reign in late September.
Blaze have been one of the better shooting teams in the league so far, with a backcourt made up Eoghann Dover, Sam Stott and John Browne all making major contributions for their team. Dover has lead the way for Blaze, averaging 17 points a game across the team’s first three league games, with Browne and Stott both adding 12 points a game.
Speaking with basketballscotland ahead of the game, Blaze captain, Eoghann Dover had the following to say about Friday’s fixture;
The seasons been okay so far, but we haven’t really hit our stride yet, we’re looking forward to the game on Friday because it’ll be a challenge and a great opportunity for us to improve as a team. Kings are tough opposition and definitely have a lot of talented players. We need to make sure we play defensee as a unit and not lose concentration as they are very patient in their sets to get good looks. It should be a good game though and both teams definitely want to win.
City of Edinburgh will host Boroughmuir Blaze at Portobello High School on Friday 13th October at 8.00pm
If you’re at the game, let us know by tweeting us @basketballscot and using the #SBCGotW