Rockets are hoping to bounce back after they suffered a double defeat when they face the Lions this Saturday
Reading Rockets (1-2) will be looking to put their previous two defeats behind them this weekend when they host Barking Abbey London Lions (1-0) at the John Madejski Academy on Saturday evening, 6pm tip-off.
Rockets have lost their last two games after suffering defeats to Derby Trailblazers last Sunday in Nottingham by 91 points to 85 and prior to that were unable to weather a Hemel Storm losing out 103-112 in a thrilling match-up.
Saturday’s opponents have started their season with a win as they narrowly beat Loughborough Riders 91-86 in the Capital.
Rockets Head Coach Alan Keane knows his team are competing well but are currently having too many sequences of play on the back foot. In his third season in charge, the Irishman said,
“In both games against Derby and Hemel we have shown some really good things,” said Keane.
“I have been very happy with how we have played but we are still very early on with this group and we know there are certain areas we can be a lot better in especially in key parts of the game.”
“We have had a lot of disruption with injuries and absences so far this season but that is not an excuse nor should it be a factor in how we compete and play although it will be good to get everyone back on the floor, something we are hoping for very soon as I believe this team will really shine during this eventful season.
“Saturday sees us welcome Barking to Reading and it will be great to have James (Vear, BA London Lions Head Coach) and his young, energetic team to play. They continue to do a fantastic job with this academy and have this year added a little experience to their roster in Will Ashby and Jamie Hayes so we are expecting a tough game especially after recent performances against Worthing and Loughborough.”
Rockets go into this weekend’s match-up with better news on the injury front but look set to be without the services of veteran forward Sam Toluwase who misses his third and hopefully final game for the Berkshire outfit through work commitments.
American guard O’Showen Williams and Australian guard Ben Dixon both featured in last Saturday’s loss to Derby and the Reading team will be hoping their rehabilitation continues in positive fashion this week. Academy prospect Latrell Maitland looks set to remain on the sidelines with a fractured rib and it will be a game time decision as to whether Kivuvu Live makes it into Keane’s 12 after illness.
The game will be streamed live and for free on Rockets YouTube channel.
