The Body and Mind Kent Crusaders have bolstered their side ahead of their inaugural EBL Division2 campaign by signing no less than six new players.

The names include former London Towers players Sam Betts and James Acres, Reading Rockets guard Damion Lyons, former junior Angelo Irving alongside Gary Davison and JP Dontoni, who at one time played together, alongside former Crusaders star Robbie parker at Kingston Wildcats.

With three of Crusaders best players leaving to pursue professional basketball careers in Europe (Robbie Parker, Walter Moyse and Ryan Richards) it is hoped that the new recruits will be able to step into the departing players’ shoes.

Davison joins from last seasons league rivals Eastside Eagles. Currently employed as a PE teacher in London, this 6’0 guard will help provide leadership for the Crusaders on the court as well as helping to maintain Crusaders scoring. Davison is a player Crusaders have been interested in for sometime and senior coach Jesse Sazant is delighted to have him stating “Gary will be expected to take on a significant role with us immediately.”

Dontoni, a 6’3 forward who also joins from Eastside is a strong and athletic player who is able to play much bigger than his size in a position traditionally dominated by much taller men.

Lyons, a 6’2 guard will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the side, having been involved in Reading Rocket’s Championship Play-off team last year. Originally from Wales Lyon’s knowledge and versatility will be a great asset throughout the long season ahead.

Irving is a 6′6 forward who played his junior basketball for Sazant with the Crusaders under 16s and 18s before departing for university. He will bring defensive toughness and rebounding to the squad.

Sam Betts, a 22 year old guard/forward from Maidstone, joins Crusaders from London Towers. Betts played junior basketball for the East London Royals, where he reached the U16’s National Championship before he moved on to the London Towers BBL team. Unfortunately Betts was unable to gain much time on the court with the elite London outfit and now looks to improve his game by playing for Crusaders.

James Acres, a one time Canterbury Jazz (which later became the Crusaders) U18’s MVP also joins from London Towers. Acres has strong Crusaders connections as his father was formally a coach with the junior Canterbury team. Acres played against Crusaders for Towers second team last year and impressed with his energy levels and intensity. “James has shown a real dedication to improving his game and should make a real impact with us,” said Sazant.

“James, Sam and Angelo are key additions to the team, we’re committed to developing Kent players and bringing back three Kent juniors is a big plus for us, they will also give us greater depth and create competition for playing time on our squad”.

The Kent Crusaders promotion winning season was capped off this week as the club scooped awards from England basketball for both best player and best coach.
Head coach Jesse Sazant and star forward Walter Moyse received their awards in recognition of their efforts in gaining promotion for Crusaders over a long and arduous season.

Sazant, a former Canadian University coach, who only became Crusaders head coach two seasons ago has since seen his squad grow from strength to strength. Narrowly missing out on promotion in his first season with East Kent his talents were noticed by England Basketball, who made him assistant coach of the England under 16’s squad. Sazant said his award was a: “reflection of the hard work the players have put in during the last season.

Moyse a 6′10 former Canadian university forward joined Crusaders purely by chance when he came to Britain to train to become a teacher. However since joining the club Moyse’s impact on the squad has been enormous, providing Crusaders with their first genuine star post player. Moyse said the award came completely unexpectedly, “It feels great to win the award especially considering it wasn’t something I was out to get when I first came here.”

Moyse also said that the fact his coach came from a similar basketball background to his own, having both cut their teeth in the Canadian leagues. “Jesse’s approach to the game shares the same philosophy as my last coach stop the opposition scoring and your points will look after themselves.” He added “If anything coach back home was a lot louder.” This may come as something of a surprise to anyone familiar with the Kent coach’s ‘animated’ brand of coaching.

Throughout the whole season Moyse was one of the clubs most consistent performers racking up 18 points per game and leading the team for rebounds. A veteran campaigner in the tough Canadian university leagues Walter was able to bring a wealth of talent and experience to his side. Sazant praised Moyse for greater depth he had brought to the side. “Walter is very deserving of the award, he brings a number of intangibles to the side and these mark him out as truly on of the best players in our league.”

The East Kent Crusaders basketball team have achieved promotion to Division 2 of the EBL, giving fans of the sport across the county reason to celebrate.

Promotion to the second tier of English basketball caps off a remarkable season for the Canterbury based team; finishing champions of their division and runners up in the National Shield.

The Crusaders dominated their division from day one and reeled off an impressive string of back-to-back victories, which only came to an end as the fixtures piled up at the end of the season. The Crusaders have been well supported both at home and away by a growing number of fans.

The Crusaders promotion case was also helped by their appearance in the final of the National Shield competition where despite losing on the day to Team Northumbria they were by far the most vocally supported team, despite the fact that the majority of the Crusaders fans had travelled well over 200 miles to see the match.

Off the court, East Kent received Clubmark status from England Basketball in recognition of the clubs work in the local community teaching basketball to youngsters.

Coach Jesse Sazant, reacting to the news, said promotion was “a just reward for all the hard work the players, directors, volunteers and supporters have put in this season.”

Sazant added, “We are not simply going to make up the numbers, we are aiming to put together a squad to challenge at the top of the division.”

To this end the Sazant has declared his intent to sign between four to six players with “major announcements to do with club development expected soon.”

The EBL Division 2 is a 12 team National League, unlike the regional division 3, with the Crusaders facing stiff competition from the likes of the Nottingham Knights (relegated from division 1) and WNC Mansfield Express (winners of the Division 2 play-off championship.) With trips to venues such as Liverpool looking set to vastly increase the player’s travel commitments.

Crusaders forward Walter Moyse, voted Crusaders MVP this season, said he had enjoyed his season with the Kent side saying: “It was great to help the team fulfil its ambition of promotion, Crusaders have a great group of players and they definitely helped me settle in here. They’re a great group of guys to play and train with.”

Crusaders guard Jeff Wadey, a player with Crusader since the clubs foundation two years ago said the clubs promotion was, “ Great achievement for a team that started only two years ago.”

Club President Anthony Sait said: I am very proud of the team promotion is a great achievement. The task now is to find our feet in Division 2 next season and then win it the year after. I’m fully confident that with Jesse coaching the team we can do just that.”

EBL Division 2 2006-07: Aston Athletics, Bristol Academy (was Filton, newly promoted), Derby Trailblazers, Leicester Warriors, Liverpool, NEWI Nets, Northampton Neptunes, Nottingham Wildcats (relegated from Division 1), Plymouth Raiders II, Tamar Valley Cannons, WNC Mansfield Express (Division 2 play-off champions and league runners-up), East Kent Crusaders

The East Kent Crusaders basketball club had a lot to celebrate at their awards night on Saturday, including winning their divisional title and finishing runners up in the National Shield.

This season the East Kent sides’ form has been impressive and now, in only their second season, promotion to the EBL division 2 looks on the cards.

Crusaders coach Jesse Sazant said: “ “This has been a fantastic season and the club’s development is a credit everyone involved with the club. I am extremely proud of winning the league and hopefully achieving our goal of promotion. We have a fantastic group of supporters and directors and they have been superb this season.”

Off the court the club also has a lot to be proud of, with the club attracting a great many more supporters and the success of the Crusaders 3 on 3 tournament and camps held by the club in the local community. The greatest recognition for the clubs continuing hard work came when Crusaders was awarded a 3 star club accreditation and Clubmark by England Basketball. Club president Anthony Sait said: “The club has gone from strength to strength this season.”

Walter Moyse, East Kent ’s 6′10 Canadian forward, came away with both the Most Valuable Player and Best Newcomer awards. Moyse has been a revelation since joining from Canadian University side Acadia and is according to Sazant, “one of the best players in our league.” Moyse led the team in scoring (17.5/game), rebounding (11.7/game), blocked shots, free throws and field goal percentage.

The influential 6′1 guard Pete Ayling was the recipient of the Players’ Player award. Ayling, who played through injuries and pain throughout the season, was nominated by his fellow players because of his vocal leadership on the court and hard work in training. On receiving his award Ayling said: “It’s a massive honour and quite overwhelming, for once I found myself lost for words.” Sazant said Ayling was “fully deserving of the award because of his exemplary commitment to the side.”

Defensive anchorman Lee Butters was awarded Best Defensive player of the season in recognition of his high energy performances and ability to disrupt opposition offences throughout the season. At just 6′2 Butters is far from the tallest forward in the league but according to Sazant his forward has shown himself to be “pound for pound the toughest player in the league.” Butters led the Crusaders in steals and was second in rebounding.

England Cadet player Ryan Richards was awarded Most Improved Player of the season. Richards, at only 14 is 6′8 and by the end of the season was making regular appearances for the Crusaders senior squad, averaging four points and four rebounds a game.

The Crusaders now await the league’s decision on their promotion application (due out in late April) for next season.