The Crusader's History

Coventry Crusaders

2003/2004

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History 2003/2004

Content coming after this Basketball season

The 2003/04 season heralded a “new era” for Crusader Basketball. When despite NO Sponsor, NO change in facilities at Coventry’s Sport Centre and a league reshuffle that saw Crusaders drop out of the top division for the first time since their 1993 promotion; Crusaders were celebrating the appointment of a New Coach and the successful and continuing progress of their community programme.

Ahead of the season Dip Donaldson handed over the reigns of Men’s Senior Head Coach to the Club Captain and Junior Coach Derrick Pope.

Derrick had been the force and inspiration behind so many of the up and coming young Crusaders since signing for the club in 1999 and his latest appointment was seen by Donaldson as a natural move in the evolvement of the club.

And with the success of the Crusader’s youth programme, they would for the first time in the club history this season be entering teams in the National League at both under 18 and under 16 levels. In addition to all this the Crusader Wheelchair Team looked stronger than ever and under their coach Paul Claridge were keenly contending promotion.

Teaming up with Coventry’s YMCA, Coventry Crusaders where continuing to run their ever popular Saturday morning coaching sessions for youngsters of all ages and levels of skill at the Coventry Sports Centre. YMCA spokesman Sean Coleman explained that sponsoring the Saturday Morning Basketball event,

… "will benefit young people in the city by providing them with a meaningful activity".

The club said a fond farewell to Nicholas Pope as he left to study at high school in America, nevertheless the Pope legacy continued as on the opening day of the league season his two younger brothers Nathan and Bryson would be pulling on Crusader senior vests for the first time to face Westminster. This meant that at 13 Bryson had taken over Brother Nick’s record as Crusader’s youngest ever senior player.

The first new arrival in Coventry was David Argo a 6’ guard from Springfield Missouri USA. However, despite being full of potential and keen to make his English debut Argo was to be side lined prior to the start of the season with a torn ligament in his knee picked up whilst coaching in the community. As things turned out Argo was to put in just three performances for Crusaders after his eventual debut early December playing at home against Tamar Valley Cannons, as having aggravated his knee injury during his Christmas break at home David chose not to return to England.

Coventry’s second pre-season transatlantic signing was Larry Graves a 23 year old 6’1” guard who was to become one of the Crusader’s seasons sensations, not only by producing a seasons haul of 479 points but by topping the leagues scoring average.

From the season’s onset, Larry’s exciting ability to run the ball and find the basket from all angles quickly made him a crowd favourite.

Larry Graves had come to Coventry from Northwest Nazarene University Nampa Idaho USA the same University that Crusader boss Dip Donaldson had attended and the same university that Donaldson again looked to find a replacement for the injured Argo.

And so it was that Kevin Richard arrived in Coventry to fill in the second non national spot in the team for the first eight games of the new season.

Having played along side each other for two years at University the two American’s comfort and ease with each others game was reflected in the results and before his return to the States Richard had produced a respectable average of 17 points per game topping out at 33 points against Colchester on the way to Crusaders first win of the season.

The season’s curtain raiser could not have been any more exciting as both Coventry and their opponents Westminster fought hard to produce their first points of the season. And despite losing out by just a mere two points in overtime, Crusaders were upbeat and positive about their overall performance, as were their large, noisy and appreciative crowd.

For much of the next few weeks Crusaders would be turning their attention away from the league, having drawn fellow Midlanders Worcester Wolves, and Liverpool in the preliminary rounds of the new Division two’s Patrons Cup Competition, and Division Ones Reading Rockets in the National Cup 1^st Round.

Neither competition was a big hit for Crusaders who failed to win points in either.

Nevertheless with time to focus on the league Crusader confidence was boosted with that first win at Colchester 75 – 96 in mid October. For the first time in a long time all 10 Crusaders were on the score sheet, some thing that would become a regular occurrence as the season progressed showing the depth of this seasons squad.

Two weeks later and Crusaders where again in league action and thrilling their loyal home supporters with the first home win of the season as they slay the Oxford Devils 83 – 77 before their next home encounter saw Crusaders totally disarm Tamar Valley’s Cannons 100 – 87.

Even after the season had commenced Dip and Derrick continued to strengthen their squad bringing in more fresh blood to the team. Sam Spare who had signed at the beginning of the season was now joined by Craig Robertson on his move down from Scotland. Both would become very useful in the Crusader defence.

Nevertheless it was ahead of the Oxford game that Crusader bosses made one of their most inspired signings as they secured the services of Alistair Spires. Alistair had been out of the game since his return from playing University Basketball in Boston USA. However, his inclusion in the side added excitement and even more depth and both his scoring and defensive capabilities has rapidly turned him into what is potentially one of Crusaders all time leading players.

As Christmas approached Crusaders had already chalked up as many league wins as their entire last season with three from six games.

Meanwhile other Crusader teams where also looking good going into the Christmas break, The Cadets in their first season and playing against teams with height age and experience on their side where beginning to look more like a team under the watchful eye and guiding influence of Alvin Scott.

With a wealth of future talent on the team including four players picked to represent West Midlands it was only a matter of time before they would pick up their first win.

Crusaders Juniors where leading the way in the Midland Conference having lost just one game in the run up to Christmas.

Meanwhile, the Crusader Wheelchair team failed by just a single point in a nail biting top of the table clash to hold pole position at the Christmas break. Having won all their previous games, they lost out to local side Stratford Players in the last second of the game where the lead had constantly changed hands and when a score from a shot that could have gone anywhere gave Stratford the point they needed to come out victors.

2004 dawned with a disappointing performance at home to Liverpool as the Merseysiders took home a well deserved victory and Crusaders examined the consequences of lack of preparation.

Derrick Pope was keen to get back to winning ways and so arranged tough friendly games on any free weekend for the rest of the season.

A shrewd move that brought with it results as Crusaders cruised through the weeks ahead winning five from six.

Boosted further by the return of Matt Collins to the Crusader fold after leaving at the end of the 2002 season to spend time in Europe, Coach Pope could now realistically look forward to the end of season play off competition , after not qualifying for the previous two seasons.

With the team producing the goods, the queue for tickets got longer and the atmosphere inside the Coventry Sports Centre was buzzing again.

After a narrow home defeat mid January to Ilkeston Outlaws 65 – 69 The Juniors lead by their captain Hardeep Khosla charged their way comfortably to the top taking league title in their inaugural season.

By the end of January the Cadets had also fulfilled their ambition by recording their first win and two weeks later they repeated the feat on their home court.

The Wheelchair team were back on track and by the end of February had avenged that loss to Stratford by giving them a 39 – 15 thrashing in the return game. Crusaders would now go on to complete their season without loosing any more games and take top spot in the league, a place in the playoff finals weekend and that all important promotion to Division 2.

Late February saw the Senior team on start their final push towards the seasons end as they entertained eventual league champions NW London Wolverines at the Coventry Sports Centre. The Londoners had bitten Crusaders badly 104 - 73 back in November, but this time were held back by the Coventry defence and despite seeing their current winning form come to an end Crusaders were pleased with the exciting turn around to their last encounter holding the champions to a seven points 82 – 89 victory.

The long trip down to Tamar was well worth it the following week, not only for the win, but also for the fine hospitality given by the West Country Club and some very fine pasties.

Crusaders third century win of the season two weeks later against Northampton had the Coventry Crowd on their feet for much of the game, however, the joy was short lived with a dismal performance the following day at Liverpool for the forth time this season.

With three games left to play Crusaders were assured a place in the playoffs and were still on track for a place in the top five of the league table.

When Hackney failed to show the following Saturday, Crusaders were given the points and a time to rest before another long journey the following day, this time North to Hull and almost certain victory. Once again producing the goods with yet another century win Crusaders looked comfortable and now just had one more league game to play.

Unlike last season they would close their league account on their home court, this time with what turned out to be an exciting tie with Worcester Wolves.

Crusaders took an early lead, and had every thing tired up at half time, however failing to keep up with the Wolves pace in the closing stages saw Crusaders miss out on bringing the league Curtain down with a win. It did however, see Crusaders hold on to fourth place in the league and set up a home court battle with Hackney in the Play off Quarter Finals a week later.

For the first time in three seasons Crusaders had extended their season beyond the league campaign. Nevertheless a poor display the following week against Hackney saw any dreams of Silver Wear disappear for another season.

It was encouraging for supporters to see the way things had turned around for Crusaders this season and as they came off court for the final time hear so many of the players confidently say “see you next year.”