Youth Teams Return To Action

The second half of the season is in full swing now with Crusader Junior Team preparing to return to league action this weekend. 

For the Cadets they open up 2005 with a journey down to West Herts. Warriors.

Who will on this occasion be playing at The Frances Bacon Sports Centre St Albans.

This is the furthest away fixture of the season and it will be an interesting to see how the youngsters fair after the long journey. 

Crusaders remain the only unbeaten side in the Central Conference of the National League, and are certainly the team most feared by other clubs. 

It was suggested recently by other clubs, that Crusader Cadets are “too good” for this league, but that opinion only goes to prove just how hard the lads have worked and how well Coach Alvin Scott and his assistant Ian Bache have developed the team since their entry into National League Basketball in 2003/04.

Predominantly Crusader Cadets are the same team as finished seventh from eight, last season and many of them are still well below the under 16 age limit.

Last season, Crusaders were the new comers that other clubs were happy to beat, but they were a team that learnt lessons from every defeat and grew in strength and stature from it. 

And now as they see their hard labour bearing fruit, Crusaders look to continue their domination of the league with their eyes fixed firmly on the chance to make the play offs.

Meanwhile Crusader Juniors under the leadership of Coach Roger Payne, Tip Off for 2005 at home at The Coventry Sports Centre.  

Like their Senior counterparts Juniors will be without a couple of key players for their game against second placed Derby Trailblazers on Saturday. 

So far the season has seem mixed fortunes for the defending league champions and they currently flounder in sixth spot after a run of three defeats.

Since the beginning of the season however, the Junior Team have made three new signings, with Ryan Longbottom and Anthony Simmons making the National league debuts and Tony Richards rejoining the Crusader club.

Their inclusion makes the team less dependant on some of the Cadet players stepping up to fill the gap. Nevertheless, Crusaders have been noticeably without Hardeep Khosla who has been unavailable for a number of games. 

It is hoped that as the second half of the season gets underway, Crusader’s can re find at least some of the form that made them Champions last season at their first attempt.  

Tip Off @ Coventry Sports Centre 5pm