10/09/08 There will be plenty of new faces on show when Leopards open their pre-season campaign on Saturday in the four-team Worthing Thunder tournament. Leopards face a tough test in the semi-final when they play Irish Superleague champions DART Killester. The other semi-finals sees hosts Thunder playing a Neptune side who finished near the foot of the Irish Superleague last season. The winners meet in the final on Saturday evening, which is preceeded by the third place play-off. Games are three-quarter length, so coach Jon Burnell will have plenty of time to look at the squad he is taking to the south coast. Five of last season’s roster are definitely returning, with club MVP Gareth Laws being joined by point guard Carl Latham-Henry, captain Sam Salter, Matt Eames and youngster Lucas Volskis. The Big Cats are also in talks with small forward Kevin Griffin. The American has spent the last four seasons with BBL team Milton Keynes Lions, and collected the MVP award as the Lions won the BBL Cup final in January. “It would be a massive signing if we can get Kevin” said general manager Dave Ryan, “We’re not sure whether it’s feasible at the moment, but he’s going to spend a couple of weeks with us, and we’ll see how things work out.” Leopards are also giving a trial to American guard/forward Johnnie Carter who is currently in the UK looking for a job. The Big Cats will also be giving debuts to three players from Barking Academy. Forwards Bradley Wilkinson and Robert Gilchrist both played alongside centre Leigh Greenan for England under-18s during the summer, and they are joined by guard Kenroy Wood. Greenan’s future with the Leopards is still in doubt as he is involved in talks with a Spanish top division club. “It would be a shame for us if Leigh left, but the Spanish League is second only to the NBA, so if he has the chance to play for a club at that level he really should take it” said Ryan. Leopards make their long awaited return to Brentwood on Sunday September 21 when they face Kent Crusaders. Further details on www.leopardsbasketball.co.uk.
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