The Body and Mind Kent Crusaders have revealed their squad for the upcoming season.

Despite losing several key players from last season, the Crusaders are optimistic about their chances with the addition of several exciting, young players and the return of a core of committed players from last season.

Newly appointed head coach, Mads Olesen, stated, “For us to be successful this season we will have to play together. As we don’t have the individual players we have had in previous years, total team effort is so much more important.”

Leading the group of returning players is new club captain Pete Ayling. The 6’1 wing player has been an influential leader over the past 3 seasons and is excited about his new role, saying, “It’s a real honour to be named team captain this year. Having played for the Crusaders since their creation I have the seen the club and individuals develop. I feel like a proud parent and it’s great to be part of the future.”

The Crusaders have also received a late boost with the addition of 6’3 guard Robbie Parker. Parker played 2 seasons for the Crusaders before playing for USC Freiburg in the German 2nd Division last season. Parker holds the club record for points in a season and his scoring will provide Kent with an early season lift. He has joined on a short term basis with the option to leave if he can gain a full time contract in the BBL or abroad. Ayling added, “It’s great to see Robbie back in a Crusaders vest.”

Damian Lyons (6’2 guard) returns to the team as the newly appointed head coach of the Kent Crusaders Academy based at Canterbury High School. Olesen pointed out that “Lyons is a key player (for us). He is always playing hard himself, but this season he has the added task of rallying the team around him too.”

Lyons added, “I am looking forward to starting my second season with Crusaders. We have lost several key players from last year but I’m confident that myself and the other returning players can step up and compensate for our losses.”

Other returning players include 6’5 forward Steve Findley, who has showed an improved scoring touch in the pre-season, 6’0 shooter James Harris, 6’3 forward Mike Webber and 5’10 guard Jeff Wadey. Kent also welcomes back 6’4 forward Sam Betts from an injury which cost him most of last season. Rob Dagger (6’0 guard) has become a full squad member after spending last season as a junior player with the club.

Kent has also brought back two other familiar faces in 6’5 forward Julia Naci and 6’6 forward Pete Adkins. Both have played for Kent in previous seasons and their return will give the Crusaders some needed size. However, Adkins will be out indefinitely with a knee injury to start the season.

The Crusaders have added 5 new players to their squad for the season. The group of players will add youth, size and athleticism to the club. Rikki Broadmore is one of two players to join from the highly respected Barking Abbey Basketball Academy run by Great Britain women’s coach, Mark Clark. The 6’0 guard was a starter and key member of the Reading Rockets National League and Cup championship team last season. He has made an immediate impact in the pre-season.

Also joinging from Barking, is 6’6 forward Dan Garrard. Garrard has played for England at under 16 level and will help to give the Crusaders an inside presence that they have sorely lacked. Additionally, 20 year old JP Dimandja joins from Eastside Eagles. Dimandja (6’6 forward) is an exciting prospect with untapped potential and athleticism. Alongside Garrard, he will be a key role player for the Crusaders defending and rebounding.

Finally, the Crusaders have added two Kent products to the team. 6’8 Adam Earland joins from Folkestone juniors and Matt Rosenthal joins from Gravesend side Irocquois.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 28th, 2007 at 1:10 am and is filed under Team News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.