Body and Mind Kent Crusaders look forward to their first season in Division 2 with optimism after enjoying unprecedented success last season.
The Kent side dominated the league for long periods before a log jam of fixtures towards the end of the season took its toll with Crusaders managing to win the division 3 title in a dramatic finale to the season. Crusaders also had an impressive cup run reaching the final of the National Shield.
The side has experienced really change during the off season losing star players Robbie Parker and Walter Moyse to Europe with the pair being offered professional basketball contracts with European sides. The side has been much improved however with the signing of seven new players offering the squad real strength in depth.
At guard, new signings Gary Davison, Damian Lyons and Alan Kealy join returning players James Parker, Jeff Wadey, Pete Ayling and James Harris.
Davison has already established himself as a leader in the side bringing a great deal of experience and competitiveness to the side. Lyons will also add even greater toughness and intensity to Crusaders guard line up.
With so much competition in the guard positions it is imperative for many of Crusader existing players to raise their game in order to secure a starting place. Parker in particular will be looking to step out of his brother’s shadow and take an extra scoring role. Wadey also has made improvements to his game offensively to add to his impressive defensive qualities.
At forward, four newcomers (James Acres, Sam Betts, JP Dontoni and Angelo Irving) will look to step into the shoes of Crusaders departed defensive talisman Walter Moyse. The four will be joined by five returning players; Paul Jessop, Lee Butters, Steve Findley, Pete Adkins and Mike Webber; giving coach Jesse Sazant plenty of options and a lot to think about when it comes to selecting his side’s forward line up.
Of all the forwards Findley has made the greatest improvements to his game during the off-season. Able to play at ether guard or forward, Findley has made a real effort to increase his number of minutes on the floor this season.
Veteran Crusaders forwards Jessop and Butters will also be instrumental to the side’s fortunes this season. Jessop, who was captain of the side last season, is a key point scorer for the side and offers leadership amongst his fellow forwards. Butters plays with masses of energy and heart and was one of the clubs leading rebounders last season despite being only 6’2 in a position dominated traditionally by much taller men.
Acres has also made an immediate impact with his aggressiveness offensively. Acres previously played with a number of Crusaders players, including Robbie Parker, as a youth with London Towers, “I played with a few of the guys at Towers when I was growing up so its nice to play with some of them again.”
Paul Jessop, once again elected captain of the side, said he was proud of the vote of confidence he had been given by his side; “It’s nice that the team has confident in the stuff I’ve been doing and I want to improve further on that this season.”
Lyons who played for division 1 side Reading Rockets last season said he was enjoying his time with Crusaders and was confident of securing his place in the side. “They’re a really good group of guys at Crusaders and their very ambitious looking for promotion again this season so I’m looking forward to the season.”
Jesse Sazant and assistant coach Mads Olesen return to coach the side through their inaugural Division 2 campaign and Sazant is in particular is looking forward to having the opportunity to show what his team can do; “I’m really looking forward to the challenge of stepping up a division, we know that we wont be able to have an off night at any point this season we need to come out and compete every game.”
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