Cheshire Phoenix: A fans perspective

Pride. Passion. Determination. Unity… just a few words that come to mind when I think of what it means to, not only be a fan on the sideline, but what can also be seen by every single player and member of staff, from coaches and the GM, to the physios and the team of gameday volunteers.

To be a part of the Cheshire Phoenix is to be a part of a family. 2021/22 was another display of exactly that, as we fought our way to the BBL Playoffs, and battled to Trophy glory on that forever memorable sunny day in Glasgow. I have every faith that the now-underway 2022/23 season will be no different.

The game of basketball is like a roller coaster, with results and emotions up and down, always taking twists and turns. For me, that is what I get the buzz for the game from; not knowing what team is going to turn up, whether it be a rampant performance from the Nix, against a team who was the more favourite against us, or even when a team turns up and fights until the very last buzzer, pushing the guys to keep going and not leave any room to slip up. It’s never over, until its over.

It’s fair to say that last season, results didn’t seem to string together quite so easily for us as we may have hoped. Being one of the teams who has to rely on fewer players week in, week out, it can sometimes have an effect. But that’s where the drive and determination begin to show.

When people consider us an underdog, we turn up. Addition of American born point-guard Larry Austin Jr. saw a shift in results, as he brought solidity on both ends of the court, making defensive plays and helping the team on the floor break out into an offensive play. It didn’t take long for Larry to capture the hearts of the Nix Nation, as he was voted as fan and player favourite, as well as picking up MVP at the BBL Trophy final and end of regular season. Recruiting Larry, who was able to play alongside the likes of Teddy O, Levi Bradley, Big Mike and Namon Wright, showed that Phoenix was making a statement of intent to fight until the very end, with the undoubtedly sheer quality we had at all positions.

While it’s the players that play the game and at the end of 40 minutes, get the applause and recognition as well as the bits of criticism, without the calls of life-long fan and head coach Ben Thomas, who has now spent five years at the club, bringing home two pieces of silverware in that time, what we achieve, would not be possible.

Having followed the Phoenix since 2016, and seeing head coaches leaving or being replaced when things weren’t going our way, as well as having to almost completely rebuild our roster every off season, it was difficult to see how we could compete at the top, when nothing was staying consistent. Since Ben Thomas has taken over, and has been backed, we have seen glimmers of hope and reality that Cheshire can be a dominant force in the league yet again, and fight for trophies each season.

This past off-season was a long one. Missing seeing my Cheshire Nix play on a Sunday evening but the rebuild process was exciting to follow, with Big Mike confirming his commitment for a further two seasons, along with young talent Robbie Graham keeping his place in the squad, and the significant re-signing of MVP Larry Austin Jr.

Furthermore, we were able to add BBL experience, in the shape of former phoenix player, and 2022 Commonwealth Gold medallist, Jamell Anderson, David Ulph and Will Neighbour, while also bringing in talent from abroad, with Danny Evans, Tahjai Teague and Lloyd Daniels all bringing different qualities that will allow us to be a threat in every way, to every team we face.

Knowing we have kept a core of players from last season, and added great experience around them, I have great hopes that we can build on a successful last season and take the momentum with us, to continue to compete and push at the top end of the table.

Cheshire opened up their 2022/23 regular season on the road against a Surrey scorchers side who hope to become one of the stand out teams and make it to the playoffs, come the end of the season. Jamell Anderson enjoyed his first game back in a Phoenix jersey, stealing the show as leader in points (22) and rebounds (9). Newly named captain, and returning star Larry Austin Jr. was joined as joint second top scorer of the night, alongside the now-departed Jordan Strawberry, who saw themselves bag 17 points apiece.

That was no different for the rest of the new signings, who all saw a piece of action, in an empathic, on-the-road, 96-81 W. The Nix had a short preseason in terms of game time, with two wins and one loss recorded, however, this hasn’t seemed to phase them in working as a team and grabbing the W. Still, there is a long road ahead, and I would expect it to take time for them to fully click and make a solid run and scare, to the league.

It will happen, but as with every new squad we bring in, patience is key. As of the end of the season, I predict we jump up two spaces from last season, taking a fourth place finish, while defending our BBL Trophy.

To all the Nix fans out there, enjoy!