21/08/08

"Prince" Charles returns again

Newcastle Eagles are delighted to announce that they have retained the services of fans favourite "Prince" Charles Smith for the forthcoming 2008/09 BBL season.

Smith, who originally signed for the club almost a decade ago in his rookie professional season having graduated from Rider College will continue in what is his third spell on Tyneside.

Having played during 1999-2000 and also between 2002-2006, Smith will be hoping he has better luck than last season when his campaign was cut short due to an injury that kept him out of action for almost three months.

During the 21 games he did play, Smith was in blistering form and averaged 14.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists.

Eagles coach Fab Flournoy is happy to have one of his trusted players back on board for another season and believes the 32 year old will continue adding value to the BBL title winners.

He said "Charles brings so much experience to the team and he knows this club inside out which does make it easier for us. With his knowledge of our system, the ethos of the team and also the league, he can help the younger guys a lot."

"We will have the likes of myself, Trey (Moore), Lynard (Stewart) and Bridgey who know the BBL and when you add Charles to that list too - it takes the pressure right off the new guys."

"Offensively Charles gives us an inside and outside option and that is always going to be useful." continued Flournoy

"He is a big time player and a veteran of big games when trophies are on the line - hopefully that is something we will need again this year."

Eagles Managing Director Paul Blake was equally thrilled to get Smith back on board, especially having lost the player to Europe in 2006/07 when he opted to try his luck in Spain with Caja Rioja.

"Charles has a lengthy association with the club and as everyone knows, we enjoy continuity at the Eagles and someone that knows how we work."

"It is also pleasing to know that one of the biggest favourites the fans have ever had will be back in an Eagles vest again"

"It was definitely frustrating for Charles last year as the injury he picked up stopped him in full flow. Not only that but just when he began returning to fitness, the season was over so I am sure he will be raring to go come the big tip-off next month."

"His experience and scoring ability is huge for us and he has always delivered if you look at his record over the years. He is a proven BBL player and you have to be pleased when you can add someone like Charles to the roster for another year."

Further player announcements will be made in the next few weeks.

05/08/08

Eagles make their point with Reggie

Newcastle Eagles, the reigning BBL Champions, have announced the arrival of 5ft 11in Reggie Jackson, a new point guard for the forthcoming 2008/09 season.

Jackson arrives on Tyneside from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh having played for the Dukes for four years in the Atlantic 10 Conference, where he averaged 10 points and 3.5 assists in 20 minutes per game, and shot 45% from the three-point line.
Jackson will work in tandem alongside former BBL Player of the Season Trey Moore in the Eagles' new look back-court and, with the announcement of Tafari Toney last week, is the third new face at the MetroRadio Arena ahead of the new campaign.

Player/coach Fab Flournoy explained why he plumped for Jackson,
"I spoke with Ron Everhart my former College coach and he told me I had to sign Reggie. He is quick, comfortable with the ball in either hand, can take it to the basket strongly on either side and can shoot the ball from outside.

" I respect the opinion of Ron and that, combined with what I have seen of Reggie, means we are excited about what contribution he can make.

"Being recommended like that, you know where he will be in terms of coaching and systems because he will have been running the same kind of things that I have been brought up on, with the same kind of fundamentals.

"That is hugely significant for me and for the team. We hope he will be a nice fit for the guys."

Newcastle's MD Paul Blake meanwhile is equally confident that Jackson has every opportunity to become a real favourite with the fans, highlighting his quality, "There are a lot of nice links behind the obvious quality that Reggie has. Not only has Ron Everhart likened him to Demond Mallet, one of the top point guards playing in Europe who he previously coached, but he has played at a good University.

"He has played alongside the likes of Kieron Achara from Team GB and we know plenty about what kind of talent these guys have.

"The Atlantic Ten Conference is also the same one that Lynard Stewart played in at Temple and so there is a link there too and I guess those guys will have plenty to talk about when they get together.

"His stats show he can do plenty and because of his defensive principles, team ethic and attitude, I think he will be a big hit on and off the court.

"Certainly to retain the core of our team and add the likes of Reggie and Trey Moore into that mix is really exciting and I can't wait for the new season to start next month." Newcastle Eagles will complete their roster in the next couple of weeks ahead of a lengthy pre- season as Fab Flournoy looks to get his team fitter than they ever have been in order to ensure they have every chance of hanging onto their coveted BBL League Championship crown.

31/07/08

Newcastle Eagles have added 6ft 8in Tafari 'Tap' Toney to their squad for the forthcoming 2008/09 BBL season.

The league champions have clinched the signature of Toney who has graduated from the University of Houston where he averaged 6.8 points and 6.3 rebounds during 21 minutes per game for the Cougars in what is a highly competitive college conference.

Toney is the second new face brought in by player- coach Fab Flournoy and becomes the third forward on the Eagles' roster forming a front-court trio with Lynard Stewart and Darius Defoe, who both return from last season.

Toney grew up in Brooklyn and Flournoy, who was also raised in New York, is excited at getting the chance of working with his new player.

He explained, "Tafari can be an exciting player for us because he is very fit and extremely athletic with real size and presence on the court from his physical attributes.

"As with any rookie player coming into the league it is a tough initiation, but we have high hopes for him because he has shown at college that he isn't afraid to be aggressive.

"He can dunk the ball and block shots while he is solid on defence and that is very important for us.

"He is also willing to step outside and hit shots and so if we keep his confidence high and mould him into our system, he will be a key player for us in time.

"I have spoken with him for quite some time during the summer months and I like what I have heard from him and I am hoping he will be a great fit for the team on and off the court."

Eagles' MD Paul Blake meanwhile expressed his own satisfaction at landing Toney who had one of his best games of the season against the Memphis Tigers and against number one NBA draft pick Derrick Rose and NBA draftee Joey Dorsey.

"We have tracked him for quite some time now and it is a relief to finally get him singed up. "With Trey Moore someone we are all looking forward to seeing for the first time at the Arena, we now have a new big guy in and it is always exciting when we sign new players. "Having had such a settled team for so long, I know the fans will be eager to see what the new players like Toney can do.

"If he produces what we know he is capable of then we could have unearthed a real gem. Importantly though, he is only 21 years of age so we must remember this and give him time to adapt to the pro game. His production could take a little time but the talent is there.

"He has the potential in the future to be a real favourite with our fans who have always enjoyed watching their athletic forwards going back to the likes of Donnie Johnson, Niki Arinze and Shawn Myers.

"Things are coming together nicely and we just have a couple more decisions to make on senior players and if we tie down some of the younger guys, we will have recruited our team earlier than we have ever done before.

"That can only be good for Fab and for the team as they prepare for the new season."

At least one further player announcement will be made within the next week.

29/07/08

Londoner Darius Defoe has signed for a fifth consecutive season with Newcastle Eagles as he bids to improve on his incredible haul of BBL medals despite still only being 23-years-old.

The forward joined the club in the summer of 2004 from Hackney White Heat and has since been an important part of a rise to prominence, contributing over 9 points and 5 rebounds per game for the Eagles last season.

Newcastle Player-coach Fab Flournoy is pleased that Defoe has decided to stay with the BBL league champions and believes there is plenty more to come from him.

"Darius has lots of talent and he has shown that to myself, his team-mates and the fans in the four years he has been with us," explained the New Yorker.

"Now Darius has to work on showing what he can do on a consistent basis and has to make sure that he keeps working hard and improving with every year.

"He was raw when he came here and very much a project but entering his fifth year he now has every chance of maturing into a big player in this league.

"There is lots more to come from him but that is for the future because he still has some way to go. It is more important that he keeps playing a big part in what we need to achieve as a basketball team.

"Darius has been working alongside Lynard Stewart for the past year and he can now keep doing that for another twelve months. I can't think of anything better than learning from Nard.

"As a young player you want to be going up against the BBL Player of the Year in practice and to have him as your team-mate in games.

"We are looking strong in the front-court but probably have to add maybe one more big guy onto the roster for me to happy with our depth."

Defoe becomes the fourth player to return from last year's title winning squad after Andrew Bridge, Lynard Stewart and Flournoy himself.

With former BBL MVP Trey Moore the only new face to date, the club is now focusing its efforts on bringing in a couple of new players as it prepares for what promises to be a real test in trying to hang on to its league crown.

25/06/08

Former BBL Player of the Season Trey Moore has been added to the roster of the Newcastle Eagles ahead of the forthcoming 2008/09 season.

The 33-year-old Mississippi State graduate will help the Eagles defend their BBL Championship title, a piece of silverware that Moore has already experienced winning during his first spell with the BiG Storage Cheshire Jets back in 2004/05.

During that stellar season, Moore averaged almost 23 points, over 4 rebounds and 5 assists per game. He returned to the Jets last season, after a season in China and a spell with Strasbourg in France, and once more he averaged in excess of 20 points per game. The 6'4" Houston native first came to the BBL with Birmingham in 2003.

In fact, the last time that Moore competed on the MetroRadio Arena floor was on the 8th April 2005, when his awesome 33 points led the Jets to a 94-96 win over the Eagles that all-but secured the BBL Championship title for his former club that season, as Fab Flournoy's Eagles were runners-up.

The Eagles avenged that defeat three weeks later as a 78-75 win at the National Indoor Arena saw them win the first of three consecutive BBL Championship Playoff crowns; they were led by 27 points from GB star Andrew Sullivan, whilst Moore managed 20 points in defeat.

Eagles' Managing Director Paul Blake explained why the club has plumped for Moore. "We are looking to bring in some young and exciting players this season as we re-shape parts of the team in our bid to continue evolving and competing for league titles.

"Part of our strategy is to ensure that we still have experience in all areas of the court and in that respect we felt that we needed someone with experience and quality in the back-court.

"Trey fits the bill perfectly for us and will be just the kind of player who can not only score from anywhere but also provide some leadership on the floor.

"He has played in different leagues which is good for us because we get a veteran player who can adapt to different styles and brings that experience, but we also get someone who has proven himself at the highest level in this league."

He added, "To have two BBL Players of the Season in the same team next season - Lynard Stewart and Trey Moore - will be great for the club and for our fans. If we get the right younger players in to add to that then exciting times are set to continue."

Player-coach Fab Flournoy meanwhile is equally delighted to have signed Moore. "Trey is a proven winner and someone who will give us experience and versatility. He can play a combo role if we need him to and his flexibility on the court is important for us.

"We could have a whole new backcourt this season and we have to make sure we get the right balance and I know that Trey will give us that and most importantly he is a quality basketball player.

"We can't wait for him to join our team and we know he will work hard to make sure we keep competing for trophies and remain at the top."

Further player announcements are imminent with Blake and Flournoy eager to recruit the team earlier than in previous years due to Flournoy's desire to extend his pre-season to prepare even harder than usual for another tilt at BBL silverware.

12/06/08

Newcastle Eagles have struck a deal with club captain Andrew Bridge that will se him remain on Tyneside for another season, in what will be his seventh successive campaign with the reigning league champions.

Having led the side to the BBL Championship title in his first year as captain, Chesterfield born Bridge is now eager to help the team to lift even more silverware in 2008-09.

He explained, "I am looking forward to it as I think we will be looking to make some changes and re-load as a club and get back to winning those big important games again.

"Obviously it was a pretty easy decision to come back. It was a simple process and actually taken care of a few months ago back in March, but it has just taken some time to get round to the formality of signing the contract.

"We were the most consistent team in the league and that was reflected in our 29-4 record, but in the one-off games we came up just a little short far too much.

"Apart from the game against the Scottish Rocks in the Cup semi-final and that incredible game against Guildford to win the league, we didn't do what we should be doing." continued Bridge, reflecting upon their defeats in the BBL Cup Final, the BBL Trophy Final, and the BBL Championship Playoff semi- finals.

"When we re-load this summer we have to ensure players who might be new, as well as those players we retain, all recognise that we have to step up both individually and as a team next year if we want to win more trophies for the club and continue our success."

The guard re-joins player coach Fab Flournoy and Molten Player of the Season Lynard Stewart in re-signing for the title winners and that, according to Paul Blake, is essential for the club moving forward, "To have our player-coach, the best player in the league and our captain as our first three signings for next season is fantastic because it gives us a solid foundation yet again.

"Bridgey is great for us as an organisation both on and off the court and now he has already done 6 years I guess he could be described as a veteran, even though he is only 28 and relatively young.

"With his experience and the fact he has worked tremendously hard to establish himself in the league and the team, I am confident that we aren't about to give up on challenging for silverware just yet."

In terms of his personal productivity, last season was the best in Bridge's career as he averaged 11.09 points, 4.21 rebounds, and 1.70 assists per game. It was the first time in his BBL career that he had averaged in double-figure scoring, with 9.33 points per game being his previous best in 2006/07.

The club will be announcing further signings in forthcoming weeks.

21/05/08

League MVP Returns for Eagles

Newcastle Eagles are thrilled to announce that they have re-signed Molten Player of the Season Lynard Stewart for the 2008/09 season.

The American centre enjoyed a remarkable first season at the club after making the move from Euphony Bree in Belgium last summer, picking up a league winners medal as well as a string of personal awards throughout the campaign.

Managing Director Paul Blake is pleased to retain the player, a man who recorded double-doubles in seven consecutive games during one particular purple patch, and he believes the decision of Stewart to re- sign is testament to the pulling power of the club and shows the continued ambition of the title winners.

"We are so happy to have re-signed Lynard for a second year and it was always going to be a top priority for Fab and myself." explained Blake.

"Getting it done so quickly ahead of what will be a busy summer as always just goes to show that we intend to continue moving forward after our fantastic league campaign last season.

"We were proud to see Lynard get the BBL Player of the Year award as well as other accolades from our own players and fans and so knowing that he will be back with us again gives us all a massive boost.

"It also sends out the message that the best players want to stay at our club and that is important for everyone both on and off the court as an organisation.
"We have no intention of giving up our league championship next year in what will be another fiercely competitive season which is terrific for the league from our perspective, I think this is a great marker for us to put down right at the outset."

Across the season, Stewart averaged 15.76 points and 8.61 rebounds per game leading the BBL in field goal percentage at 67.9% - reasons why player-coach Fab Flournoy is overjoyed to know that he will have the services of Stewart for another year. He said, "Knowing that you have a class act who will consistently deliver on all fronts is a dream as a coach.

"Most importantly Lynard fits into our ethos and what we are trying to do both on and off the floor. He came into the team and fitted into our system and the way that we do things with no issues whatsoever. He is a model professional and has a good rapport with his fellow players and myself as a coach.

"Those relationships were highlighted with the awards he received from his fellow players and fans who both recognise his importance not just to the team but also his contribution to the club generally which we always refer to as the Eagles family.

"I am just overjoyed to have him back on board and not least because when we had either rough or smooth times, Lynard was always there giving his all and especially defensively."

He added, "It's a great start to next season and I am sure it whets the appetite of our fans for next season even though we have only just finished this year's efforts."

With Flournoy having recently confirmed his own future by stating that the Eagles are the only BBL club for him, the league champions will continue building on solid foundations for next year and are expecting to make further announcements on players within the next few weeks.

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