The Plymouth City Patriots are in action over the weekend in a tough must win road trip north to Manchester to take on the Giants.
Both teams sit outside the eighth spot in the league table and a chance at post season basketball, in the British Basketball League playoffs. In fact the Giants, currently in nineth, are only just out of the playoffs having equal points with Surrey Scorchers, also in the hunt. The Patriots are a little far behind, but have a new impetus and drive toale the postseason. Their leader, TJ Atwood, is currently leading the votes to make a starting guard position in the All Star game, with both Jacob Wiley and Elvis Dusha also proving popular choices. Atwood currently leads the league I'm efficiency as well and is keen to lead the troops into the postseason.
It's by no means an easy task, as head coach Paul James highlighted, saying “we've left ourselves with a lot of work to do, but I believe in this group of players and it's certainly not out of the question.” He continued “we need to beat the teams around us and pull off some upsets, but the journey starts Friday night in Manchester.”
The next four games are on the road for the Patriots as they begin the push for the eighth spot. Starting in Manchester against the Giants on Friday, before heading to London to face the Lions. The following week will see the Patriots take on Leicester and Surrey, before heading home on the 16th February, to play the postponed game against the Newcastle Eagles. It's a busy schedule, with plenty of away fixtures, but the Patriots will definitely give their all for their loyal fans.