Last Season Review

Worthing Thunder underwent a number of changes following the 2007-8 EBL season, with a change of ownership followed by a decision to move into the British Basketball Season (BBL) for 2008-9.

Pre-season was hindered by Visa delays for Thunder’s three American players – the popular returning Jonathan Woods, former Sheffield Arrows point guard Ryan Patton and newcomer Colby Bargeman.  However, the returning English players and dominant Latvian Power Forward Janis Ivanovskis were ready for the inaugural “Thunder Cup”, which saw the team beat Irish side Neptune in the semi finals before losing to Irish champions Killester in the final. 

The league season started with home matches against two BBL powerhouses in Plymouth Raiders and reigning champions the Newcastle Eagles, but with Woods arriving just before the first game and Bargeman just before the second, Thunder were unable to compete effectively and lost both heavily.  However, the following weekend saw the club make the trip to Chester to play the Cheshire Jets and their first away game in BBL history resulted in a 97-91 victory. 

Whilst wins at home were proving elusive, with the Scottish Rocks and Worcester Wolves winning at the Leisure Centre, Thunder’s second league away game also resulted in a win at the EIS against the Sheffield Sharks.  A disappointing home defeat to the Sharks was followed by a great run in late November/December with wins at home to London Capital, Milton Keynes Lions and Worcester Wolves, a narrow defeat in Scotland and a win in Leicester leaving the team joint fifth at Christmas.

A narrow defeat at Guildford put a dampener on that run, but a fantastic performance down in Plymouth meant the team started their BBL Trophy campaign off in great style, before the team then lost 9 of their next 10 games in all competitions, which saw Thunder slide down the table.  Wins at Worcester and at home to the Rocks gave the club hope of making a play-off appearance in their first season, but successive defeats at Plymouth, Leicester and Everton ended any thoughts of post season action.  There was a late home win against London Capital, but in the end Thunder finished eleventh in the table with a 10-23 record. 

Overall, the team beat all bar the top three of Newcastle, Everton and Guildford in the various competitions and can be proud of what they achieved although it could have been much better.

Last Season's Team

Front-row: Ryan Patten(14), Dan Wardrope (5), James Brame (13), Daniel Hildreth (21), Ian Berry (12).

Back-row: Lijah Perkins (4), Jon Woods (11), Janis Ivanovskis (8), Colby Bargeman (23), Kieran Burns (15), Daniel Midgley (7).