Derby Trailblazers welcome third placed Milton Keynes Breakers to the Clarence Wiggins Sports
Centre on Saturday, hoping to avenge the painful 96-73 away defeat they suffered at Bletchley
Leisure Centre just before Christmas.
The Breakers are a club on the rise, having rapidly progressed through the National League
structure before finishing fourth in their only season of NBL Division One basketball. Having joined
the inaugural BCB programme along with the other former D1 clubs last summer, they are
currently third in the table with a 16-5 record and still in with an outside chance of the league title.
However, with Reading Rockets sitting in second place on the same number of points and with
game in hand and Newcastle Knights sitting clear at the top with a 21-3 record, it may be too much
to ask for Milton Keynes this time around, since they only have five league games remaining.
Last season saw the Trailblazers and the Breakers winning one game each, with victory for each
side coming on their home court, so Derby will be hoping they can match that result when the two
sides meet on Saturday night. Head Coach Kyle Henderson admits he has a lot of respect for the
Milton Keynes programme and the results they have achieved:
“I think they have one of the most rounded squads in the league, and they’re a very strong unit full
of veterans and talented young athletes. Last time we played them was the first big defeat we’d
suffered so we’re obviously looking to improve on that and make it a much more competitive game
for our supporters this weekend,” he said.
The match will see Jonas Dietrich returning to the court where he became a popular member of the
Trailblazers squad over several seasons. The talented guard has the ability to shoot the lights out
from long-range but is equally adept at slashing to the basket to score points inside or draw fouls
from the opposition.
This season has seen him averaging 8.2 points, three rebounds and 1.9 assists whilst remaining a
regular starter for the Breakers.
Jordan Spencer brings a wealth of experience to the side, leading by example with 16 points, 6.8
rebounds and eight assists, while Xavier Wilson (14.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2,9 assists), Dashawn
Jackson (14.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists) and Chase Thompson (13.5 points, 4.9 rebounds,
2.0 assists) are all key contributors to Milton Keynes’ success.
Victory for the Blazers would boost their chances of being involved in the post-season play-offs.
Last weekend’s win over Yorkshire Dragons saw them move into eighth spot, and with just six
games remaining, that’s the best Derby can hope for from a disappointing season.
Saturday’s match is a 7:30 PM tip-off at the Clarence Wiggins Sports Centre, and for those who are
unable to attend, LiveStats will be accessible via CLICK ME!
