THUNDER'S maiden BBL victory on Sunday has changed the complexion of their upcoming Cup debut.
After two opening defeats against strong Plymouth and Newcastle sides, they might have considered league consolidation the immediate priority and KO competitions an inconsequential sideline.
But to beat Cheshire in their own Northgate Arena — days after Jets had been top of the table — sent self-belief climbing several notches and, since a week earlier Cheshire had won at Leicester, Thunder can view their Midlands cup trip as the potential start of an adventure. To win would send them to Plymouth on October 29 and the chance to turn some tables.
Janis Ivanovskis was the inspiration at Northgate with 27 points, two assists and a game-heading 13 rebounds as he, with eight, and forward Jonathan Woods, with six, made rich pickings off the Jets' backboard.
Woods and fellow US imports, guards Colby Bargeman and Ryan Patton, outscored all other opposition except Chez Marks, the 6ft 3in guard from Lexington, Kentucky, who had 32 in vain.
Latvian 6ft 8in power-forward Ivanovskis, from Riga, a senior Thunder player at 27, is having to play centre and is working overtime, but that seems no bother.
Without even a shrug, he explained: "I'll do whatever the coach wants me to do, to help, and if that means we win then I'm very happy. We try to play together as a team. We know our roles and help each other out and play for each other.
"The BBL is different to when I was at college. The athletes are much stronger, the game is faster and a lot more physical. But you adjust, and it becomes natural as you play up to that level. And as we get to play all the other teams there will be fewer surprises to us."
With Worcester Wolves the exception, beaten by 12 points at home to Plymouth, three of the bottom four won for the first time. Along with Thunder, Sheffield Sharks on Friday also beat Cheshire – 109-78 to knock them off the top – while London Capital won at home 92-87 to Guildford Heat.
Leicester, who include ex-Worthing and Plymouth forward Roderick Wellington, having been pipped 90-89 at home by Cheshire a week earlier, would have beaten powerhouse Everton Tigers on Saturday had not veteran Tony Windless' shot rimmed out and taken the game into overtime – where Tigers won 78-73.
It's all looking pretty competitive. Thunder captain James Brame confirmed: "Everybody can beat everybody and we're going to be there or thereabouts against many teams. It was brilliant against Cheshire. It's a hard place to go and win.
"We played so well together. Everyone chipped in and the import guys were unbelievable. We overcame a good team full of veterans, good-scoring players and Englishmen – our old player Steven Gayle came on and scored 10 points (missing only one of his seven shots]."
Brame rated as Play Of The Night one started by Woods and supplied by a throw-up from almost half-court from its architect, Daniel Hildreth. Soaring ex-college rookie Bargeman caught it and slammed the ball down into the basket for an alleyoop.
JETS: Marks 32 points, Steven Gayle (ex-Thunder) 10, Myers 10 (6 rebounds), Stegall 10 (5 rb). James Hamilton (ex-Thunder) 4pts, 4rb.
THUNDER: Ivanovskis 27, Bargeman 19 (3 steals), Woods 18 (10 rb, 2 blocks, 2 assists), Patton 17 (7 ass, 2 st), Wardrope 8 (2x3s), Perkins 3 (10 rb), Hildreth 3 (5 ass, 3 st), Midgley 2 (1 ass 1 st), Jordan 0, Brame 0. DNP: Burns, Berry. None fouled out.
- Leicester - team coach travel and match ticket: £20 supporters club members, £25 non-members, call 01903 529241. Next home game: Thunder v Scottish Rocks (October 25, 7pm).
- The Supporters Club have a meet-the-team evening at the Golden Lion (The Strand) this Sunday (Oct 19, 6pm) themed The Weakest Link. Details from Clare Hicks on 01903 261261 or office@worthing-thunder.org.uk
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