Leopards reveal Friday fixtures
Essex Leopards have agreed a sponsorship deal with Ongar's Levett Consultancy (pic: Leopards) - Credit: Archant
Big Cats hoping for big Brentwood crowds
Essex Leopards Courtney Van Beest (pic: Paul Phillips) - Credit: Archant
There will be a feast of Friday night basketball at the Brentwood Centre this season as the Levett Essex Leopards host four games to get the weekend off to a slamming start.
Thanks to continued help from Brentwood Leisure Trust, the Big Cats will bring a wide range of games with an international flavour to the Essex venue.
First up is touring side Team USA Select, who visit on Friday September 4, with tip-off at 8pm.
The opening game will give fans of the Big Cats their first chance to look at the team who will aim to repeat as Division One champions.
Essex Leopards David Ajumobi (pic: Paul Phillips) - Credit: Archant
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Team USA Select is a side made up of players who have finished their college careers in the States and are looking for pro jobs in Europe.
Several have gone on to successful careers in England, including former Leopards’ big man Greg Hernandez, who helped the Big Cats win the National Trophy in 2013.
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Two weeks later, on September 18, Steve Ogunjimi’s side tip-off the competitive season when London Lituanica – who are comprised of London-based Lithuanian players – visit in the National Trophy group stage.
Leopards will be looking for revenge as the Division One newcomers knocked them out of the National Cup at the same venue last season before going on to win the Davison Two league and play-off double.
With the game seeing the champions of the top two divisions in the NBL clashing, a thrilling start to the campaign looks in prospect for fans of the Big Cats.
Fans of Friday night basketball only have to wait another fortnight before old rivals Reading Rockets are the visitors on Friday October 2 for the Big Cats’ final game in the group stage of the Trophy.
Leopards won two of the three meetings between the sides last season and all of he games proved to be thrillers, with the combined margin of victory just nine points across the three games.
The final Friday night game of the campaign comes on January 15 when Leopards host Plymouth Raiders in the BBL Trophy first round.
The Big Cats have been regular entrants into the league cup of the British League over the last 11 years and join the 12 BBL sides along with NBL rivals Derbyshire Trailblazers and Reading Rockets and Scottish side Falkirk Fury in a competition that is played on a straight knockout basis until the two-leg semi-finals.
The final is due to be played at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
All Friday night games at the Brentwood Centre tip-off at 8pm, with tickets available through the club website or on the door.
