Coventry Crusaders (48)82 Derby Trailblazers (39) 77

Blazing the Trail into New Beginnings 

Coventry Crusaders opened their 2007-08 campaign with a thrilling win over newly promoted Derby Trailblazers. 

With a new coach at the helm, new USA players, and all but three of the players new to the set-up, Crusaders have a clean slate with which to start a new season. 

Scott Neely is Crusaders new Head Coach, as Dip Donaldson takes a back seat from coaching and playing and has moved to the stands. Neely who has been part of the Crusader organisation for the past couple of years has taken up his new position, opting to coach instead of play this season. 

Changes only started, there, however, as Sydney Donaldson, who is the son of Crusader’s owner Dip Donaldson, was in the starting line-up for Crusaders for the first time, just two weeks shy of his 17^th birthday.  He came out wearing the same number his father wore up until the end of last season.  

The Crusaders started well, and led from the beginning. Keith Sudler, one of the new players from the USA who actually flew in from his home country on Saturday morning, hit 11 points in the first quarter, including three 3-pointers. 

By the end of the 1^st quarter Crusaders had already dropped six 3-pointers into the basket, including two more by fellow USA newcomer Ryan Luethy, and one from Ben Clarke. 

Derby’s Simon Allaway did as much damage as possible, scoring 12 points in the 1^st quarter alone, but the Crusaders still led the way 26-22. 

In the second quarter the Crusaders continued their run, leading by as much as 12 points. Luethy was the main offensive threat for Trailblazers, with good contributions from Donaldson and big man Robert Clarke who has returned to Coventry after a stint playing for Worcester Wolves. 

By half time the score-line had spread a little wider with the home side still ahead 48-39. 

The second half was better for Trailblazers. They outscored Crusaders 19-16 in the 3^rd, with Allaway and Simon Spencer putting points on the board for them, and a big 3-pointer from youngster Mikey Manghum. 

Crusaders ex-Junior player, Kane Hudson, hit a three, along with threes from Ben Clarke, Donaldson, and Sudler, the Crusaders seemed to be on course for a new record of number of three’s in a game, hitting 17 in all, for the game. 

At the end of the 3^rd Crusaders maintained their lead, although Derby were closing the gap, 64-58. 

It was in the 4^th that things got really tight. Trailblazers continued to work hard and with Spencer going to the line at least ten times during the course of the game and shooting 10/10 of his free throws, the gap continued to decrease. 

Derby came within one point of catching the home team, and then both teams’ scoring capability seemed be momentarily suspended. The score line was too close to call, for a short while, then Neely made a couple of substitutes and Crusaders surged forward again. 

The final score was 82-77 with a very happy home crowd and a step in the right direction for a new season. 

Crusaders Sudler scored seven 3-pointers among his 25 debut points for Crusaders, complemented by Luethy’s 18, including four 3-pointers.  

Meanwhile, Derby’s Allaway scored six 3-pointers to bring his total to 28, closely followed by Spencer’s 27 points. 

Crusaders Scorers: Sudler 25, Luethy 18, B.Clarke 13, R.Clarke 12, Donaldson 9, Hudson 3, Payne 2.

U-16 Boys Midlands Conference match-up with Birmingham in the Sureshot Cup was a mixture of good and bad!

The Crusader Cadets did an outstanding job of winning the game 69-51, but lost by default due to a technical mishap with players licenses.

The Cadets look to have a strong side this year and should do well.

U-18 Men's Midlands Premier game vs Birmingham II also went Crusaders way, as they crushed the big city team 89 - 56. They are also looking very strong and will be causing quite a few teams problems this season.