The Crusaders History

History of the

Coventry Crusaders

2009/10 Season

Coventry Crusaders made significant head way with their community youth work during the 2009/10 season, yet the senior team struggled to find a consistent winning formula on court: finishing third from bottom in EBL Division One with five wins out of a possible 22.

The Crusader Foundation, the club’s sister charity organisation, delivered the ‘Hoops4Health’ basketball health workshop to over 20 primary schools during the basketball season, and also became involved in a new weekly youth basketball league.

Crusaders head coach Scott Neely’s idea of bringing local basketball youth clubs together became a reality when the league started in September 2009 at the Coventry Sports Centre with 90 players from six teams in total from under 12 and under 14 age groups. The league is overseen by the Warwickshire Basketball Association, and jointly funded by the WBA and the city council.

Such was the success of the pilot scheme, that in its second ten week trial period from January 2010, league manager Dean Glover had already added a couple more teams to each age bracket, as well as expanding involvement up to the under 16s.

Glover hailed the league as a success, and spoke of its popularity. He said: “Team memberships have gone up because kids are playing on a regular basis, also the players’ game play has improved. Each coach has said how much their team has improved. We want to sustain the league so it’s a yearly thing.”

A frustrating season lay ahead for the senior side, which had coach Scott Neely lamenting his side’s inability to put in consistent performances over forty minutes, giving Coventry a third from bottom EBL Division One league finish and another winless National Trophy campaign.

It took the senior team eleven games to claim their first victory in December at home to fellow strugglers Sheffield Arrows as ever present captain John Olinger rallied with a top score 27.

Six of the first ten defeats were by no more than ten points, two of which included a heart breaking over time defeat at Birmingham Mets in the National Cup and a last ditch 89-90 National Trophy home loss to Taunton Tigers.

A fascinating game away at table toppers Derby Trailblazers in November saw a quality individual fourth quarter performance from new London signing Stephen Danso. He saved 19 of his 35 points until the last ten minutes to take what was once a 29 point deficit at the start of the second half, down to just nine at full time (93-84).

Danso was modest about his performance, and praised the defence’s never say die attitude: “Fourth quarter we needed to pick things up. We picked it up defensively, and from then I just knew that I had to bring the team back into it. I had to score the way I know I can score, so I just started getting into a rhythm of knocking down shot after shot.”

December and the New Year brought much improved form for Neely’s men, hitting form with a 6-2 record to propel the side into the final play-off position.

Neely was pleased with the understanding of his players, and going into the Christmas break off the back of a 101-92 over time win against London Leopards, he said: “Full marks to our guys, they came through, and what I told them at the end was where we put it together and everybody’s on the same page for forty minutes, that’s when we’re tough to play against. We can play with anybody in this league.”

Following on from the youthful capture of 6`7 centre Ben Timms courtesy of a youth partnership with Solihull Sixth Form College back in November, Coventry went into the new year bolstered by another rebounding weapon with the addition of 6`7 American forward Matt Smith ahead of their 86-70 win over local rivals Leicester Warriors.

Both would prove to be useful signings: Smith delivering a gamely average of 17 points and seven rebounds during his 12 game stay, while 17-year-old Timms showed glimpses of potential through making 23 defensive rebounds and scoring 29 points in his 13 games played.

Ever present captain and the league’s best free thrower John Olinger was the anchor of the side this year though, after signing up again following his arrival midway through the 08/09 term. He made 20 appearances out of a possible 22, made 88 out of his 100 free throws, and averaged 20.8 points per game.

Crusaders were taking full advantage of their kind run of home games, and stylishly defeated Tees Valley Mohawks 110-93 to put together their first and final pair of back-to-back wins of the season. Neely hailed his side’s balance in the post-match interview:

“There were some bombs being put up there, and as for us, to have that balance when John [Olinger], Stephen [Danso] and others are hitting threes but then, a lot of times when you take the quick, early three, then it’s to the other team’s advantage.”

Coventry failed to build upon some long awaited momentum, and ended the season with just one win in 11. The only consolation being that it was the club’s first away win of the season at Sheffield Arrows (78-96).

It was a disappointing season for both Coventry Crusaders Under 16s Boys and the Under 18s Men. Marcus Garvey’s Boys finished second from bottom in their Midlands Conference league with a 6-14 record.

Alvin Scott declared 09/10 as a “rebuilding year” for the Under 18s following the record 32-97 home defeat to eventual champions Leicester Warriors in January, which epitomised the team’s season as they finished bottom of the Midlands Conference with just three wins and 17 losses.