With nine wins in their last 11 fixtures, Cheshire Phoenix are in fantastic form, but with two games in 24 hours this weekend they face a huge challenge.
The Nix are due to play Surrey Scorchers in Guildford on Saturday 19 before returning to the Cheshire Oaks Arena to face Plymouth City Patriots on Sunday 20. Despite the quick turnaround, Head Coach Ben Thomas is confident that his team can get results.
"The guys want to play. They want to be on the court. When you're in good form, and the games come thick and fast, it's probably good for [that]. It's those long breaks that can sometimes change the way you play, you might take your foot off the gas.
"It's not unlike us to play two games [in a week]. The players are used to it, it is a little different because we only have a few hours before the game to prepare the team, but these guys are professionals and they learn quickly."
The team have won their last four consecutive games and currently sit fourth in the BBL. They have also reached the semi-final of the BBL Trophy, surpassing last year's quarter-final appearance, but Thomas is focused on taking each game as it comes.
"Honestly, right now I've not even given it any thought. This weekend is probably the biggest of our season, a chance to get two head-to-heads on two teams in the league. We'll reassess the week after, during the international break."
Captain Teddy Okereafor and shooting-guard Ben Mockford are both in excellent form, and are relishing the opportunity to continue this with back to back wins this weekend.
Teddy Okereafor said: "It's tough on the body but it's something you want to do. When you have a quick turnaround you don't focus on any negatives, you have a week to prepare the right way and hopefully we can get two wins.
"For me, I feel great. Everyone is clicking right now. We're playing the right basketball at the right time and winning games."
For Mockford, who is currently into his second spell at the Cheshire club, the team is peaking at the ideal time after a disjointed start to the season due to various injuries and illness. Their main focus will be to sustain this form and finish as high as possible.
"As long as we keep getting better throughout the season, like the previous team [2019/2020 season] before Covid hit, I feel the same way with this team, we're definitely getting better as the season has gone on.
We've got strong momentum, but back to back games are always tough. We're preparing the right way and heading into a big weekend."
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