25/09/2001
History against the Riders...again!!

After laying so many ghosts to rest during last season's remarkable campaign, it's hard to think there'd be too many runs to end this time around.

But this Thursday Billy Mims' squad can end what - after the victory at Thames Valley last year - has become the club's worst losing record.

The last time Riders won a league game in Birmingham Al Loonin was in charge. If you've just said 'Who?' the point has probably been made, but for historical reference Loonin coached the 1986/87 Riders side which featured Clyde Vaughan and Barry Young - who were first and second in the league in scoring that year - as well as the now Thames Valley coach and then England international Paul James.

Riders beat Bullets 83-84 at Villa on 22nd January 1987, but in their 15 league visits since the BBL was formed the following season, they've come away with nothing.

Since that win, Riders have twice been successful in Brum, although not in the main competition - both were memorable knockout quarter-final successes.

Without the injured Leon McGee, Riders stunned everyone by taking an 18-point first leg lead in the trophy in 1997 and then there was last season's meeting in the Cup, when a stunning second half comeback by the Riders helped propel them to their first ever silverware.

Those, though, were the only two high points in the last 19 trips down the M6.

That wouldn't be the only unwanted record Riders could end this Thursday, they could actually get their season off to a winning start - something no Riders side has achieved since 1995 when Doncaster were dispatched on the opening day.

In fact, you can count on one hand how many times (four) Riders have won their opening encounter in a BBL season since the formation of the league back in 1987.

Toss into the mix that Birmingham haven't lost their home opener in five years and you start to get the sort of history nightmare we thought we'd seen the back of last year.

Billy Mims loves his history and there nothing he likes better than re-writing it. So Thursday he gets his chance, to add another couple of chapters to the already impressive list of feats achieved with the Riders.

06/09/2001
DJ joins the Riders

Nurishment Leicester Riders’ Head Coach Billy Mims announced the signing of his fourth player today, as 6’7” American power forward Donnie Johnson joined the ntl National Cup and BBL Championship double winners.

The Alabama-born star, a graduate of Utah State University, joins the Riders after spending last season with the Newcastle Eagles. Prior to that, he was at London Towers, where he won the Trophy and the BBL Championship Southern Conference titles.

“Donnie is the type of player that we want,” explained Coach Mims. “We play an up tempo game and we try to play an entertaining game. There is no question that Donnie can run to fit into the up tempo style and there’s certainly no question that he can dunk, so he will entertain – he will be a fan favourite quickly.

“He has got a bit of an inside-outside game. Last season he improved his numbers, from his time at London Towers to his time at Newcastle Eagles, in almost every area.”

As Coach Mims alludes to, Donnie Johnson’s statistics have been impressive throughout his BBL career, but they peaked last season, when he averaged 20 points, 11 rebounds and 2 steals per game. He was ranked in the Top 20 in all three categories, although his best skill was his rebounding, for which he was ranked second overall in the BBL.

Coach Mims continued, “We lost an All Star in Purnell Perry, who went to Korea and we wish him well with that. We are very fortunate to be able to replace an All Star with an All Star. Donnie’s numbers are actually even better than Purnell Perry’s too, because he’s a better rebounder and he actually averaged a double double of 20 points and 11 rebounds per game.”

Johnson joins Billy Singleton, Ralph Blalock and Jon Gaines on the Riders’ roster for the forthcoming 2001/02 BBL Championship season, with further announcements expected soon.

The Riders will begin their build-up to the new season on the weekend of the 14th – 16th September, with a tournament in Sweden. Further pre-season plans will be announced soon, ahead of the big tip-off, which sees Riders on the road in Birmingham. The Bullets versus Riders contest is the curtain-raiser to the new season on Thursday 27th September and the game will be live on the ITV Sport Channel (tip-off 7.00pm).