Coventry Crusaders return home to take on the Mid-Sussex Magics tomorrow night in the National League Division One.

The Crusaders have won three of their last four League matches.

The Mid-Sussex Magics are led by former NBA player Tom Sewall so the Crusaders will have their work cut out. Tom is a 6'5 high-scoring guard/forward who has played for Solihull and Guildford Pumas in England and for various teams in France and other European countries.

Coach Dip Donaldson plans to rotate Colin Rhooms and Pierre Bonneau:

"Sewall is a high scoring perimeter player that's sometimes impossible to stop. We may have to double team him at various times throughout the game."

The Crusaders have been working hard this week in training on defensive tactics to minimize the point totals from the opposition. Coach Donaldson has been pleased with the performances of power forward Matt Donaldson who has almost fully recovered from numerous calf injuries. His rebounding and hussle on the offensive boards have been a key to the Crusaders comeback prior to Christmas.

Rick Solvason will also be looking forward to some home-cookin' as the All-Star guard has been the marked man by the opposition all season long.

Derrick Pope is continually showing his European class by dominating all aspects of the game both inside and outside. With the young talented Livingston brothers playing in tandem and sparking the team along with the rest of the bench coming in throughout the game.

Coach Donaldson still hasn't decided the fifth man for rotation due to the absence of Kevin Penny who is out with an injury.

"Kevin Penny's injury has been a major blow to the Crusaders. It is a hole in the side of our ship but we will continue to prepare and move forward. It allows for someone to step up although Penny's presence can never be replaced.

"Hopefully the additions that someone else can bring to the table will be an added bonus. Kevin's absence means a lot more than just scoring and rebounding. His intensity and his knowledge of the game are the biggest factors. We're hoping he'll be back in a month and performing at his top level,"

said Coach Dip Donaldson.

The Crusaders are looking to gain the momentum that they have been showing but now with the support of the home town crowd.

Coach Donaldson has a tough decision to make - not just with who the fifth man will be, but who will be the tenth man?

Nicolas Vinsonneau has returned from injury as well and has been showing his talent all week in training while Coach Donaldson has been evaluating who is fit for this match - Nicolas, Andrew Laventure or Coach Donaldson himself?

Other players to look out for on the Mid-Sussex Magic side are the All Star guards Phil Waghorn and Paul Sparrowhawk and also Dwayne Martin.

The record of the Mid-Sussex Magic is not the true tale of the type of team they can put on the floor.

Tip off time is tomorrow night 7:30pm at the Coventry Sports Centre.

The Crusaders are expecting a large crowd for their long awaited return as this will be their first league game at home since November. The players are fired up and the fans will be ready to cheer them on.
  

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