END OF SEASON TROPHY DOUBLE FOR BRADFORD DRAGONS WOMEN
Bradford Dragons have scopped an end-of-season double.
Vilma Jurgaityte has been named as vcars.co.uk Division Two North women’s player of the Year, while Mark Gunn is the vcars.co.uk Division Two Women’s North coach of the year.
Bradford Dragons’ women’s first team had a fantastic debut season, despite being a relatively unknown team at senior National League level.
The players also earned praise for helping establish Dragons women’s basketball, supported by the University of Bradford, by winning the vcars.co.uk Women’s Division Two North title and Women’s National Trophy.
PLAYOFF LOSS CANNOT MASK THE SUPERB DEBUT SEASON FOR BRADFORD DRAGONS WOMEN
Bradford Dragons have plenty of consolations after their 55-51 defeat to Birmingham Mets in theEnglish Women’s Basketball League Division Two play-off semi-final.
The Dragons not only won their league (Two North) and theNational Trophy in their debut season but established an 18-3 win-loss record.
Birmingham, who were ranked second nationally, had won the Midlands South West Division and a tough game was expected against the third-ranked Dragons
BRADFORD DRAGONS MEN FINISH WITH TWO DEFEATS
Bradford Dragons men ended their season with a brace of losses invcars.co.uk Division One.
They faced Team Northumbria, who are battling for league position, on Saturday, and lost 84-55 in a physical encounter.
Dragons’ scoring was led by Ricky Fetske with 14 points, while Northumbria were led by Jack Thompson with 15 points.
Dragons’ head coach Chris Mellor was unhappy with his team’s performance, saying: “I was really disappointed with our display defensively - we just didn’t compete hard enough.
BRADFORD DRAGONS IN LATE BID FOR PLAYOFFS
Bradford Dragons aim to secure a play-off place in the final weekend of the regular season, with a home game against Team Northumbria (6:15pm at Bradford College Sports Hall) in the VCARS.CO.UK Division One today before heading to face champions Reading Rockets tomorrow.
Team Northumbria are in their first season in England’s top league and currently sit in third place with the second best defensive record in the competition.
SUPERB SECOND HALF GIVES BRISTOL ACADEMY FLYERS A SIXTH SUCCESSIVE WIN
BRISTOL Academy Flyers extended their winning streak to six games by securing a 68-65 win over Bradford Dragons at the SGS WISE campus last Saturday.
It means the Flyers are now second in the Vcars.co.uk Division One table, having been as low as seventh a few weeks ago.
LAST GASP LOST DENTS BRADFORD DRAGONS PLAYOFF AMBITIONS
Bradford Dragons’ play-off hopes hang by a thread after they lost their VCARS.co.uk Division One encounter with Westminster Warriors on Sunday.
Both teams are bidding to claim one of the final two play-off spots, which helped crank up the pressure at Bradford College.
And the match lived up to expectations, with Warriors coming out on top by just two points after a dramatic conclusion.
After an even first quarter, Westminster had an impressive final minute, which enabled them to claim a one-point lead. They continued their momentum, dominating the boards at both ends through-out the second quarter to lead by eight.
WIN A MUST FOR PLAYOFF SEEKING DRAGONS
Bradford Dragons’ hopes of securing a play-off place rest on them winning against Westminster Warriors this Sunday at Bradford Collegesports hall in vcars.co.uk Division One (4.15).
Dragons are currently eighth, which is the final play-off berth. The Warriors are 11th but also have a slim chance of qualification.
They have already met twice this season, with honours even.
Dragons won the first meeting in the National Trophy, while Westminster claimed a league triumph.
BRADFORD DRAGONS SECOND BEST TO WARRIORS
Bradford Dragons could not get the new year off to a positive start as they lost 73-65 at Westminster Warriors in vcars.co.uk Division One.
The Dragons got off to a slow start, scoring only 13 points in the first ten minutes while the Warriors were able to put up 19 on the back of strong offensive play from Jonathan Johnson.
Bradford’s offense finally found their rhythm in the second quarter as they brought Westminster’s lead down to just three points before the half-time break.
LEEDS CARNEGIE SPIKE BRADFORD DRAGONS PERFECT RECORD
Bradford Dragons’ unbeaten start to the VCARS.co.uk Division One season ended at Leeds Carnegie.
Both teams entered the game with perfect records, which added even more excitement to the West Yorkshire derby.
Leeds were also opening thaeir new facility and had attracted a capacity crowd of 500.
Carnegie started the first quarter the stronger as they looked to use the noise from the crowd to their advantage but Dragons battled their way inside to earn their points, with Vance Silcott dominating the boards early on.
STARRING ROLE FOR SULCS IN BRADFORD DRAGONS WIN
Bradford Dragons continued their perfect start to the VCARS.CO.UK Division One season in emphatic style with a 95-67 win over Worthing Thunder.
Dragons beat Brixton and Essex in their first two league fixtures, with Thunder having lost their opening two games to sit at the foot of the table.
Worthing trailed by seven points at the end of the first quarter and by nine at half-time but they kept themselves in contention with some impressive perimeter shooting.
BRADFORD DRAGONS AIM FOR THREE IN A ROW
Bradford Dragons hope to maintain their 100 per cent record when they host Worthing Thunder in their vcars.co.uk Division One clash tonight (6.15pm) at Bradford College Sports Hall.
Dragons have won two from two so far, including an impressive 22-point win against reigning treble-winning champions the Essex Leopards.
Dragons Latvian forward Rihards Sulcs sees this as a vital win. He said: “It was very important to win in Essex as they were the champions from last year and that is what we want to achieve this year.”
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BIG CATS SET FOR DRAGONS VISIT
BASKETBALL: Leopards return to Basildon Sporting Village on Sunday (4pm) for the first home game in their defence of the EBL Division One title when they face Bradford Dragons.
The Dragons, who rely heavily on the city’s Eastern European population, have made a good start to their second season in Division One. They won Group B of the National Trophy with five wins from six games and started their league campaign with a 76-68 home win against Brixton Topcats.
The only real disappointment from Chris Mellor’s side was a 68-61 home loss against Leeds Carnegie in the National Cup.
ESSEX LEOPARDS’ TOM MARTIN SET TO FACE FORMER BRADFORD DRAGONS SIDE
ESSEX Leopards’ Tom Martin will be facing his former side when Bradford Dragons visit the Basildon Sporting Village on Sunday.
Leopards will be looking to bounce back from last Sunday’s shock National Cup exit at the hands London Lituanica.
But Martin knows Bradford will be difficult opponents.
“Bradford are a very organised and well-drilled team that play behind a tough, in your face defensive philosophy,” said Martin, who made his first Leopards start against Lituanica.
DRAGONS EXPECT TOUGH TEST
Bradford Dragons Head Coach Chris Mellor expects a tough game as his side prepare to face the Leopards at Basildon Sporting Village on Sunday “Leopards look like they have recruited very well after losing just about everybody from last season’s treble winning team.
“They have some guys with BBL experience and [Greg] Hernandez (pictured) destroyed Division Two defences last year. So it’s going to be a tough task for us but one we are really looking forward to.”
LEOPARDS WILL BE TOUGH TEST FOR BRADFORD DRAGONS
Bradford Dragons will face the reigning league, cup and play-off champions when they travel to Essex on Sunday to take on the Leopards.
Their hosts are in their final season in Division One before they make the step up to the British Basketball League, the top flight of the sport in this country.
Dragons had a tough start to the season last weekend against Brixton Topcats, managing to take an eight-point win in their opening league game.
BRADFORD DRAGONS BEAT TOPCATS BY A WHISKER
Bradford Dragons started their VCARS.CO.UK Division One season with a hard-fought win over Brixton Topcats at Bradford College.
The teams couldn’t have had different starts to the season, with the Dragons topping their National Trophy pool with only one loss whereas the Topcats had finished bottom of their pool without a win.
Dragons secured a 76-68 win with an impressive final-quarter display, with Rihard Sulcs and Mark Saladzius finishing on 14 points and Ricky Fetske chipping in with 12 points.
ROCKETS NEW SIGNING IN CONTENTION FOR LEICESTER
READING Rockets will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s heartbreaking last-second loss against Bradford Dragons when they travel to Hemel this Saturday (7pm tip-off) to take on the Storm in their first league game of the season.
The Berkshire outfit will also be in action on Sunday when they entertain Leicester Warriors in the third round of the National Cup at Rivermead Leisure Complex (4pm tip-off).
BRIXTON ARE EXCITING TOP FLIGHT OPPOSITION FOR BRADFORD DRAGONS
Bradford Dragons launch their VCARS.CO.UK Division One campaign tomorrow against Brixton Topcats at Bradford College.
Dragons have had a very successful start to the season by topping their National Trophy pool and qualifying for the quarter-finals but that will be put to the back of their minds as they start their challenge for league glory.
Topcats are one of the most iconic names in British basketball, having helped to develop NBA superstar Luol Deng.
This said, Brixton have had a tough start to the campaign and finished bottom of their National Trophy pool without a win.
VCARS.CO.UK DIVISION ONE PREVIEW
There is a full slate of seven games on Saturday as the VCARS.co.uk Division One season tips off, and champions Essex Leopards begin their defence of the title with a trip to Worthing Thunder.
Leopards crushed Thunder 90-64 in the Trophy just a few weeks ago and followed that up with a 81-61 win at Hemel Storm, so they will go into this game full of confidence that they can start the league season in a positive manner.
Leopards’ – and former MK Lions – forward Carl Josey (pictured) commented: “I thought the Hemel game showed glimpses of our true potential this season, the fact that we were mature enough so early on to create a big lead and maintain it goes a long way. Again just like the Worthing game it was a great team effort from everybody, when we play with that type of effort and unselfishness it makes life quite easy on the basketball court.”
QUARTER FINAL PLACE IS IN THE BAG BUT TRAILBLAZERS BLOW CHANCES OF HOME DRAW
DESPITE losing both their remaining group matches, Derby Trailblazers are still in with a shout of defending their National Trophy title.
Trailblazers followed an 87-77 defeat away to Leeds Carnegie on Saturday by going down 73-65 at home to Bradford Dragons the following day.
That left them in a tie for third place on six points with Northumbria. Either Leeds or Reading can join them on that mark by winning their games in hand but they still cannot take third place away from Derby.
If teams finish level on points, results between them are used to decide final league positions, then points difference in those matches. Whether Leeds or Reading are able to improve to six points, Trailblazers would still finish top in that mini-league.
BOBBY EDMUNDS’ THREE POINTER HELPS BRADFORD DRAGONS TOP GROUP
Bradford Dragons finished off their National Trophy group stage in style with a brace of away wins over the weekend.
Dragons travelled to Reading on Saturday to face a strong Rockets side who were clinging onto their own chances of qualification for the quarter-finals.
Rockets started the game the stronger and managed to pile on 27 points in the first quarter while Dragons only managed 17 points.
Bradford’s offence picked up in the second quarter but they were still unable to stop Reading’s impressive offence, allowing the Rockets to take a nine-point lead into the locker room at half-time.
NO QUARTER GIVEN AS BRADFORD DRAGONS BID FOR TROPHY PROGRESS
Bradford Dragons go into this weekend’s double-header needing one win from their two games to guarantee them a quarter-final place in the National Trophy.
First up today is the long trip south to face Reading Rockets, who have a slim chance of qualification themselves – needing to win their remaining three games. Tomorrow the Dragons travel to Derby Trailblazers, who were one of only two teams they failed to chalk up a win against last season.
Their roster has a very different look to it for this campaign, with last year’s star guard Rishi Kakad having moved to Italy to play for Hydrotherm Casorate, while David Attewell has retired and centre Troy Whittington has returned to America.
HOEM ADVANTAGE IS TARGET FOR TRAILBLAZERS
TWO more wins to secure a home draw in the quarter-finals of the National Trophy is the target for Derby Trailblazers this weekend.
They are away to Leeds Carnegie tonight (6pm) and at home to Bradford Dragons tomorrow at Moorways (4pm) in their final two group fixtures.
With Bristol Flyers almost certain to finish winners of pool two, Trailblazers and the Dragons are all square in the battle to finish runners-up and be sure of a home draw in the knockout stages.
But Derby head coach Jamie Maudsley knows his team cannot afford to lose sight of the fact that tonight’s game at Leeds is also a key one.
“Bradford have the same record and they have two games left like us,” he said.
ROCKETS LOOKING TO TAME DRAGONS
READING Rockets will be looking to bounce back from their overtime defeat at the hands of Derby Trailblazers this weekend when they take on Bradford Dragons in the National Trophy on Saturday at Rivermead Leisure Complex (6.30pm tip-off).
The Rockets clawed their way back from as much as a 16 point deficit last Sunday to take the game against the Trailblazers to an extra period only to come up short and lose out by 88 points to 80 leaving the Berkshire outfit with only one win from three at the half way point of the group stage.
Saturday’s opponents also lost out last weekend as they were defeated for the first time in their campaign by Bristol Academy Flyers by 55 points to 86 to leave the Dragons with a 3-1 record heading into the weekend’s encounter.
BASTKETBALL: BRADFORD DRAGONS U16s 47 BURY BLUE DEVILS U16s 108
BLUE Devils bounced back from a drubbing in their previous outing with impressive an National League North Conference performance in Yorkshire.
Bradford took an early lead after an interception and were 6-4 ahead up to the fourth minute when Blue Devils went on a 18-0 spree, led by point guard Mukhtar Nasir scoring six points and creating baskets for Sam Nolan Massey, Henry Powell and Jack Hargreaves for a lead of 30-11 by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw a minor resurgence from Bradford who pegged it back to 35-20 as Blue Devils became ragged and lost momentum. In the final two minutes Blue Devils recovered and went on an 8-2 run to win the period 17-12.
SALADZIUS SIGNS FOR DRAGONS
Bradford Dragons have completed the signing of 6ft 3in wingman Mark Saladzius.
Saladzius arrived in the country this week from his native New York, where he attended Roberts Wesleyan College, who play in NAIA Division Two.
During his time there he posted some impressive numbers, averaging 12.8 points per game as captain in his senior year, 4.6 rebounds per game and 3.7 assists per game.
Over his entire college career he reached an array of milestones, including scoring more than 1,000 points, grabbing more than 500 rebounds and making more than 200 assists and 100 steals.
BRADFORD DRAGONS CLOSE IN ON QUARTER FINAL SPOT
Bradford Dragons had a mixed weekend as they claimed their third win in the National Trophy on Saturday but crashed out of the National Cup on Sunday.
The National Trophy game against Team Northumbria was, as predicted, a defensive showdown as both teams worked hard to shut the other out.
Dragons led 20-11 after the first quarter and 38-30 at half-time before Northumbria hit a purple patch, winning the third quarter 20-12 to draw level at 50-50.
DOUBLE WEEKEND IS BIG TEST FOR BRADFORD DRAGONS
Bradford Dragons will face their biggest test of their season so far as they will face a brace of Division One opponents this weekend.
Tomorrow is National Trophy night as Dragons will go up against Team Northumbria, and on Sunday the Dragons will be back in action against Leeds Carnegie in the second round of the National Cup.
Dragons have had a great start to their season, winning the opening three games, and they are starting to come together as a unit.
Dragons forward Vance Silcott said: “We are gelling together well. It’s only been three games but it feels like we have been together a lot longer. Everyone is really positive, which is always a big plus.”
GAME OF THE WEEK – BRADFORD DRAGONS V LEEDS CARNEGIE
Our Game of the Week is a second round Men’s National Cup match-up that features a West Yorkshire derby between Bradford Dragons and Leeds Carnegie.
THE DEVIL IN ENGLAND
There’s a Devil in England and a Knight in Ireland right now — FDU alumni from the Devils and Knights basketball teams that is. Former Devils center Ricky Fetske and former Knights center John Galvin both headed across the pond to continue playing basketball.
Fetske signed a contract with the Bradford Dragons in northern England while Galvin is playing for UCD Marian in Dublin, Ireland. Both graduated in 2011, and wanting to continue to play basketball, found opportunities abroad.
“After playing basketball for FDU for four years, I had aspirations to continue playing competitive basketball at a high level,” says Fetske. After hearing about the Dragons from a friend, he put together a highlight reel and sent it to the coach. A week later, the coach reached out to Fetske, with an offer to play for the Dragons this season.
EDMUNDS STARS IN NAILBITING WIN FOR BRADFORD DRAGONS
Bradford Dragons continued their perfect start to the season with a 90-86 victory over Westminster Warriors in a National Trophy pool game at the Moberly Sports Centre in central London.
Dragons were 11 points up at half-time but the Warriors pulled themselves back into the game by hitting a string of three-pointers in the third quarter to trail 67-60.
Westminster continued to apply the pressure as they took the game to the wire, even taking over the lead for a short spell in the closing minutes. But Dragons kept their nerve and secured their second Trophy win of the season.
EDMUNDS STARS IN NAILIBITING WIN FOR BRADFORD DRAGONS
Bobby Edmunds in action against Westminster Warriors Bradford Dragons continued their perfect start to the season with a 90-86 victory over Westminster Warriors in a National Trophy pool game at the Moberly Sports Centre in central London.
BRADFORD DRAGONS IN KO DOUBLE CELEBRATION
Bradford Dragons made a perfect start to the new season with two wins from their opening two games.
They edged out Leeds Carnegie 68-67 in a tense National Trophy local derby and followed up with a more straightforward 93-66 victory over Stockport Spartans in the National Cup.
Leeds briefly led 14-12 during the opening quarter but otherwise the Dragons remained in front until a spell towards the end when the lead changed hands four times before Bradford finally emerged victorious.
Vance Silcott led the Dragons scoring with 24 points and eight rebounds, while Bobby Edmunds chipped in 12 points.
BRADFORD DRAGONS FACE LEEDS IN OPENING TEST
Bradford Dragons get their season underway today with a derby tie against Leeds Carnegie.
The Dragons have worked hard in the off-season to bring back a team even stronger than the one that achieved their highest-ever league position last year.
But opening-day tests do not come much tougher as they face local rivals Leeds Carnegie in the National Trophy.
Dragons head coach Chris Mellor is more than aware of the importance of the game and said: “It should be a good local derby with West Yorkshire bragging rights on the line.
EDMUNDS RETURNS TO BRADFORD DRAGONS
2nd September 2012
Bradford Dragons are excited to announce the return of last years starting point guard Bobby Edmunds(180-PG-88, college: Widener). Edmunds had an explosive first season with the Dragons where he helped the club reach its highest ever league position, finishing sixth in EB Division One. Whilst also reaching the Quarter Finals of the Playoffs, Cup and Trophy. He also managed to finish third in the league for assists with 5.6 per game whilst also posting 13.3 points and 4.8 rebounds.
BRADFORD DRAGONS BASKETBALL TEAM GETS NEW LOOK FROM UNITED BY DESIGN
4th September 2012
The Bradford Dragons basketball team has unveiled a new brand identity as it aims to ride the wave of renewed interest in the sport in the wake of the London Olympics.
York-based United by Design has created the new look for the national league club, replacing its logo with a new fiery dragon branding which it hopes will be more appealing to supporters and potential sponsors.
Mark Mills, commercial manager at Bradford Dragons, said: “We set United by Design quite a tough task, in that the Dragons’ logo needed to be made more appealing whilst still retaining important features such as our traditional club colours, and they rose to the challenge brilliantly.
COACH MELLOR & RICKY FETSKE INTERVIEW
30th August 2012
Dragons Head Coach Chris Mellor took his latest signing, Ricky Fetske, along to Bradford Community Radio to talk about the impact the Olympics have had on basketball as well what they are looking forward to for the new season.
Click on the link below to hear the full interview:
RICKY FETSKE SIGNING IS BIG BOOST FOR BRADFORD DRAGONS
29th August 2012
Bradford Dragons have signed 6ft 7in American centre Ricky Fetske.
He comes to the Dragons straight out of Fairleigh Dickinson University in NCAA Division III, where he led his team in both rebounds and blocks, posting 7.5 and 1.2 per game respectively.
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/9899805.Fetske_signing_is_big_boost_for_Dragons/
FETSKE & SULCS INTERVIEW
29th August 2012
Dragons latest signing Ricky Fetske and fan favourite Rihards Sulcs caught up with BBC Radio Leeds West Yorkshire Sports show. Fetske makes it clear what his intentions are on both ends of the court for Dragons, he makes it clear he wants to reek havoc on the league.
Click on the link below to hear the interview.
NEW IMAGE PUTS DRAGONS IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE
24th August 2012
United by Design has carried out a rebranding exercise for the Bradford Dragons, resulting in a funky, modern image that better reflects its aims and objectives. The club’s previous logo has been replaced with fiery dragon branding that is sure to appeal to a whole new audience. The fresh new look will help the Dragons to attract more players and supporters to the club, as well as creating interest from potential sponsors.
http://www.yorkshiretimes.co.uk/article/New-Image-Puts-Dragons-In-A-Different-League