30/10/2000
Riders face Tigers in Cup Semi

Leicester Riders will face Thames Valley Tigers in the NTL National Cup Semi-Finals at Coventry Skydome on Sunday 17 December 2000.

The draw is a re-run of the 1998 Cup Final which the Tigers won 82-78.

The other semi-final sees a London derby between the Leopards and Towers.

Thames Valley got to the semi-finals by seeing off Derby Storm 87-74. The Tigers, perhaps the form team in the South at the moment, surprising struggled against Derby but broke the game open in the final period and in the end won comfortably.

Riders had a sensational comeback against Birmingham to book their place. Leopards edged through in the closest quarter-final - a Rashod Johnson three near the end separating them and Newcastle, whilst Towers beat Manchester in an scrappy game.

Leicester has yet to play Thames Valley this season but will do battle before the Cup game in December. The pair are set to meet in the uni-ball trophy group stages at Bracknell on Wednesday 22 November an Loughborough on Sun 5 December.

The full draw is as follows:

NTL National Cup semi-finals
Sunday 17 December, Skydome Arena, Coventry
12.30pm Leicester Riders v Thames Valley Tigers
3.00pm London Leopards v HARIBO London Towers

26/10/2000
Riders Duo in Injury Battle

Leicester Riders head into this weekend's double-header rocked by two injury worries.

Guards Karl Brown and Freddie Cole are both carrying knocks, but it is hoped that both will be able to play as Riders travel to Brighton in the Championship on Saturday (7.00) and to Aston Villa to take on Birmingham in the NTL National Cup Quarter-Finals on Sunday (4.30).

Cole has a strained ligament in his right foot near the fifth metatarsal. In layman's terms its the ball of his foot near his big toe.

The injury causes him pain when jumping and has kept him out of practice all week, but he is expected to suit up for the two games.

His injury could mean a start for Karl Brown, although the veteran himself has also struggled this week through injury.

Brown has a slight stress fracture in his face where the nose connects with the eye, which has caused inflammation and bleeding.

Despite this he could finding himself in the opening line-up, although any bleeding into the eye would curtail his action.

It is a headache coach Billy Mims could well do without and to make things worse the pair fill the same spot, leaving Riders thin on the ground in the guard department should either be unable to complete the weekend's fixtures.

18/10/2000
McGlothin adds height to Riders

Leicester Riders have added height to their roster with the addition of 6’9” Steve McGlothin. The former Derby and Manchester forward replaces Pete Deppisch on the Riders roster.

McGlothin, 33, first came to this country in 1996 when he averaged 13 points and seven rebounds a game and was picked to represent the North in the All Star Game. During his career he has also had spells in Spain, Taiwan, Argentina, Luxembourg and Brazil.

“We’re very excited to add a player of Steve’s stature,” said Coach Billy Mims. “At 6’9” and almost 17 stone, he is definitely the sort of player we need. Secondly he brings experience, both from his travels around the world, and his previous spells in the BBL.

“Quite a few of our guys already know him from his previous spells at Derby and Manchester which is another boost for us. His size allows us to move Purnell Perry to the small forward spot and Purnell loves to play the three spot which his natural position.”

His addition means that Pete Deppisch is set to leave the club.

“We are disappointed to lose Pete because he has done a tremendous job for us especially as we were forced to use him out of position. Having lost Malcolm Leak in the pre-season and Robert Youngblood last week, we were short of depth inside.

“Pete knew we were looking for a post player and that his time with us was only temporary, but he did an outstanding job nevertheless. We wish him well with his future career.”

McGlothin should make his debut for the Riders this weekend as they host Westfield Sharks Sheffield on Saturday (7.30pm, Loughborough University) and go to Chester on Sunday (5.30pm). Tickets for Riders’ home games can be purchased in advance by calling 0116 262 9979.

16/10/2000
Midland Clash in Cup Quarters

Midland rivals Birmingham Bullets stand in the way of the Leicester Riders and a place in the NTL National Cup semi-finals following Monday's Cup quarter-final draw.

Birmingham will have the advantage of playing in front of their home fans, as the event is being staged at Aston Villa Leisure Centre on Sunday 29th October.

The Riders-Bullets clash is the third game of the day and will tip-off at 6.30pm.

It is only the second time since the BBL was formed in 1987 that the two sides have been paired against each other in the National Cup, both previous occassions (94/95, 95/96) the Bullets won by 20 or more points.

Both sides progressed through to this stage thanks to wins over NBL sides. Bullets swept aside Solent Stars eight days ago, whilst last night Riders defeated last season's NBL treble winners Teesside Mohawks.

It will be the first meeting of the season between the midland rivals, who are also drawn together in the same uni-ball trophy pool.

The full draw is as follows:

NTL National Cup quarter-finals
Sunday 29 October, Aston Villa, Birmingham

12.30pm London Towers v Manchester Giants
2.30pm Newcastle Eagles v London Leopards/Worthing Thunder Rebels
4.30pm Birmingham Bullets v Leicester Riders
6.30pm Derby Storm v Thames Valley Tigers

14/10/2000
Riders Prepare for Double-Header

Billy Mims is getting his squad ready for their first back-to-back weekend of the new season as they take on the high-flying Chester Jets and last season's top NBL side Teesside Mohawks.

Chester come to Loughborough on Sunday, off the back of two great wins last weekend, which has seen their Championship odds slashed from 25/1 to 8/1. Coach Robbie Peers has returned forwards James Hamilton and Pero Cameron - New Zealand's Captain in this summer's Olympics - and added strength in all other departments.

Loren Meyer, a 6'10" giant inside, adds size and pedigree having spent four years in the NBA. Unlike many other ex-NBAers who have come to this country, Meyer actually played big minutes and started over 50 times during spells with Dallas, Phoenix and Denver.

Some have asked how you go from Denver Nuggets to Chester Jets and the answer is James Hamilton. Meyer and Hamilton were College team-mates at Iowa State and he was influential in bringing him to the BBL.

In the backcourt are two new faces in Joe Daughrity and Tarik Wallace. Wallace, at this early stage, leads the league in scoring having notched up 56 points in his two games and Daughrity is an experienced veteran who has played all over Europe.

Chester are being tipped for big things this season after their good start and they certainly have the equipment needed to claim their first honour. Their only problem is depth, whilst Dave Gardner has been rolling back the years of late, there are few options for Robbie Peers on his bench.

On Sunday, Riders travel to the north-east to take on NBL treble winners Teesside. Mohawks' coach, Tony Hanson, has returned most of his successful side including Ralph Bucci, Dennis Ley and former BBL players Jason Swaine and Neil Hopper. To this he has added former Birmingham, Newcastle and Jets forward, Corey Jackson, giving the Mohawks a side that should contend once again in the NBL.

Riders start the game as hot favourites and it would be the biggest Cup upset since Crystal Palace put out Doncaster and Leopards in 1996 if they were to fail to get a victory. Teesside, though, are a side used to winning and will doubtless fancy their chances at the upset.

This is Teesside's first taste of National Cup action for two years, when they were first round victims of Sheffield, albeit by only eight points.

10/10/2000
Blood heads back to Germany

Billy Mims has lost his battle to keep Robert Youngblood with the Leicester Riders. The 6'7" naturalised British forward accepted a big money deal in Germany on Monday.

'Blood made his debut for the Riders on Sunday and it was hoped he may sign a contract for the season shortly afterwards, but Bundesliga side Trier stepped in.

Youngblood, who received his British passport last season, making him a very valuable player in continental Europe, will make his debut for Trier this weekend, ironically against his club of last season Brandt Hagen.

As well as a lucrative contract, the lure of European competition, in the shape of the Korac Cup, was a big draw.

Coach Billy Mims was disappointed from a professional standpoint but pleased on a personal level for the man he often refers to as family.

Mims is now looking for a replacement for Youngblood, but it is unclear as to whether he will have anyone drafted in in-time for this weekend's games.

08/10/2000
New Blood, New Venue

Top flight basketball returns to Loughborough University for the first time since 1979 as the Leicester Riders play their first game at their new home. Loughborough was the birthplace of the franchise and the club played there from 1967 until their move to Leicester in 1980.

As well as new surroundings, Riders will have some new faces on their roster as former Leopards Larry Johnson and Robert Youngblood make their Leicester debuts.

Youngblood missed last weeks game at Manchester because he failed to receive international clearance in time to suit up. But his clearance, which is necessary for any player moving from one country to another, came through from Germany this week and he is keen to show Riders fans exactly what he is capable of.

Johnson has been sidelined since the Riders returned from Portugal, after sustaining a torn shoulder muscle during the Riders pre-season trip.

The point guard was described by coach Billy Mims as "75% fit" but was so disappointed at missing the season opener that he insisted he would be ready to play Riders first home game.

Riders full strength squad takes on a Milton Keynes side that split their opening two games last weekend.

Player-coach Nigel Lloyd, who joined the Lions over the summer after six years in Birmingham and can count Leicester as one of his former clubs, has recruited a side that will cause problems for all their BBL rivals.

Alongside Lloyd is former Tiger Jason Siemon, who was impressive against both Thames Valley and Birmingham last weekend but struggled with foul trouble against the Bullets.

Of the newcomers Andrew Alleyne, not to be confused with the Manchester coach of virtually the same name, has been the quickest to earn a reputation in the BBL and he should prove a handful for the Riders forwards.

The game tips-off at 7.00pm on Sunday at Loughborough University Sports Hall and tickets can be obtained in advance by calling the Riders office on 0116 262 9979.

03/10/2000
Mims Takes to Air Waves

Billy Mims, Head Coach of the Leicester Riders, is bringing basketball to the masses with a regular radio show on BBC Radio Leicester, hosted every Tuesday evening from 6-6.30pm with John Sinclair.

The show, which started last week, will focus predominantly on basketball - and particular the Riders - but other topical sports talk will be involved too.

Mims explained, "It went very well last week. We focussed mainly on basketball, with Manchester Giants' coach Andre Alleyne on the show, but we will also touch on other major sports events too, including Leicester City Football Club and Leicester Tigers Rugby Club."

The next show, which is on tonight (Tuesday 3 October), will feature Riders' star player, Billy Singleton, who will be talking about the Riders' start to the 2000/01 season, as well as looking ahead to this Sunday's clash with Milton Keynes Lions.

With Sunday's game in mind, new Lions' Head Coach, Nigel Lloyd, who recently made the step up to coaching after a long period playing for the Birmingham Bullets, will also be a guest on the show. Mims promises more big name interviews to come in the future and he hopes that the show might some day be featured on BBC Online, to take the show not only nationally, but globally as well.

Mims explained, "As the programme goes on throughout the season, we will cover some European basketball, which London Towers are competing in. We will also look to the NBA, when that starts and we are going to line up such guests as Leonard Hamilton, who is a good friend of mine and is the new head coach of the Washington Wizards, and maybe we will even go from there and get their owner in too - the man, Michael Jordan!"

To listen to tonight's show tune to 104.9FM for news on the Leicester Riders' forthcoming fixture and more.