[23 NOV 07] CRUSADER NEWS                                                       

Coventry Crusaders

Face Leopards

Coventry Crusaders will finally have their third home game this Saturday as they welcome London Leopards to the Coventry Sports Centre in a match that is being sponsored by Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd. 

Coca-Cola teamed up with Crusaders last season, when the Crusaders participated in a Sports Challenge (basketball vs football), that Coca-Cola had organised. Coca-Cola is continuing to support and sponsor the Crusaders this season and will be sponsoring several of their home games.

Crusaders have had a slow start to the season, with the fewest games played to date, due to two teams dropping out of competition after the fixtures had already been set.

The game on Saturday should satisfy all basketball-hungry fans, however, in a great and exciting match-up with the London team who have had a reasonable start to their season, after mirroring Crusaders National Trophy record of 1-3.

Leopards have recently signed ex-Crusader Matt Collins who has been playing at the BBL side Worcester Wolves in recent years, so Crusader supporters can expect to recognise at least one of the opposing team members.  

Crusaders should have a full squad, with injured players returning to form, and shall, hopefully take advantage of playing at home. Tip off is at 7:30. Ticket prices are £6 Adult, £4 Concessions. 

The only other fixture Crusaders have at home before the Christmas break will be played at the North Solihull Sports Centre on Dec. 8th, due to the Coventry Sports Centre being unavailable on that date. 

All the Youth teams have a week off, although they had mixed results last weekend. 

U-14’s continue down the road of learning the game, getting a young team organised and hard knocks. They lost both of their games to Black Country Wolves and Shropshire Warriors. 

U-16’s ran into trouble late in their game against Black Country Wolves, although both teams took turns going ahead and dominating at times. Wolves ran out winners in the end.  

U-18’s kept their winning ways going as they played at home to Derbyshire Arrows. The Arrows were no match for the Crusaders who totally dominating a diminished squad who came to play without even a coach to accompany them. Dave Edden was top scorer for the U-18’s with 29, accompanied by Sydney Donaldson with 19.