Thursday December 18, 2014
Plus: Fixtures roundup and a look at the club’s new signings.
Inside: Interview with head coach of the Cheshire Phoenix, John Coffino.
Photograph courtesy of Cheshire Phoenix.
Coffino guides Cheshire to winning ways Chester Chronicle. Cheshire Phoenix Special. Page.2.
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s 2014 draws to a close, Carolynn Whorton talks to Cheshire Phoenix head coach John Coffino about the season so far, the growth of British Basketball and what the future holds for the Chester based club. On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, in a cosy Starbucks near Cheshire Oaks, American coach John Coffino appears right at home. “This is my office. Half these people go to the game,” head coach of the Cheshire Phoenix says contently looking around the cafe. Coffino, who was appointed head coach in the summer, has settled quickly into the unfamiliar pace of the British game. This season was always going to be a transitional one for the Phoenix, adjusting to the style of a new coach and several changes being made to the team roster. But with seven wins in a row under their belt, Phoenix currently sit in third place in the BBL (British Basketball League) and in a favourable position going into the New Year. (Table correct as of December 16.) For John, admittedly, coming to coach in the British League was not what he expected: “Actually no, it’s better. Yeah I underestimated it and that’s a credit to everybody, all the teams
and the players and the coaches, it’s a lot better than I thought but that’s ok, I’m adjusting. I mean I coached at the highest level so it’s just a little slower pace, less scoring but that’s ok.” Something else the American coach is adapting to in the BBL is the officials: “I have a certain style and I’ve adjusted, I was a little rambunctious in the beginning with the officials and I toned it down a bit. I’ve got a couple of technical fouls; I’ve been behaving the last couple of games. You can’t win those battles” Already this season, John Coffino has started to put his own stamp on the team, bringing in a wealth of players to the Phoenix setup. One of the players Coffino has signed is point guard Julius Hodge, who was a first round draft player for the Denver Nuggets. Hodge played 14 games for Denver and has also played basketball in Italy, Australia and France. The American spoke highly of his signing: “He’s like having another coach on the floor. I coached him in the NBA, we have a relationship. I mean coaching is player-relationship so it’s been easy.” As well as big name signing Julius Hodge; the worlds’ tallest basketball player Paul Sturgess has also penned a deal with
“We’ve got the best fans in the country, not even a question about it. I mean these fans are so loyal.” John Coffino
Cheshire Phoenix head coach, John Coffino. Photograph courtesy of Ben Taylor. Cheshire. The 7ft 8in Naydenov and former Currently Coffino boasts Englishman, formerly of London Lions center a 10 man strong roster, the Harlem GlobetrotAdrien Sturt. the American coach outters will without doubt There has been several lines the criteria he looks bring physical presence changes made to the ros- for in a player: “We like to Coffino’s new look ter which met Coffino a certain type of player, side. The end of Novem- when he first came to a tough player, athletic, ber also saw Phoenix the club in the summer someone that’s smart, welcome Bulgarian but he insists he was im- and team oriented. We’re combo-guard Simeon pressed with the talent. just starting to gel, we’ve lost a couple of players, and we’ve gained a couple so it’s been a season of transition so we’re still right in the middle of everything.” Although the beginning of the season saw several controversial moderations to the team, it appears the previous uncertainty surrounding the changes is now outweighed by the current form and collectiveness Cheshire now exudes. The transition is running somewhat smoothly so far for Coffino, who has had to adapt to the different rules and procedures regarding signing players in this league: “You get a certain amount of moves; you’re only allowed three Americans per team. Cheshire Phoenix team photo 2014/2015. Photograph courtesy of Ben Taylor.
You can add Americans, but you have to release an American. Then you’re allowed two Euro passport players per team then the rest can be British.” The American is widely regarded as the most high profile coach in the BBL at the moment and his CV includes a wealth of experience coaching all age groups, in leagues around the world. His previous experience includes a spell in the prestigious NBA Development league, where he spent two years overseeing the Albuquerque Thunderbirds. John recalls: “I coached in Qatar, in Africa. Travelling you know, seeing different parts of the world, different coaches and different styles.” Now residing in Cheshire, Coffino proudly declares his admiration for the region: “It’s just an incredible area; I mean that’s what I sell to the players, is the area and the people.”
Chester Chronicle. Cheshire Phoenix Special. Page.3.
Explaining how he got into coaching, John recollects: “I was playing in the States, in New York, in a community school which is a two year school, I was a little older and I could have played one more year and the coach says ‘your destined to be a coach’ and he was a legend, he’s in five hall of fames, he got me started. And the rest is history. He said ‘I’m going to see you on TV someday’ and he did. I was just very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, and when my ship came in I jumped on it because it’s my passion.” The New Yorker is first to admit his strengths lie in coaching rather than playing basketball: “Oh yeah, yeah, I wasn’t very talented. Coaching, once you get bit by the coaching bug, you don’t want to stop, it’s really addicting.” Coffino was certain in his answer when asked who Phoenix’s biggest rivals were: “Manchester, because its close, but we haven’t played them yet. I went Saturday to watch them.” With the particular approaches Coffino displays in his coaching methods, it is not hard to see why the American is respected among his peers, players and fans. He emphasises the importance of observing teams before playing them: “You’ve got to, you
have to prepare you can’t just go in there without you know, being familiar with your enemy.” Any battle Cheshire Phoenix are faced with, is met equally with intense training preparations: “We train about four times a week, twice a day. We’ll do the David Lloyd gym, in the morning, with weights and cardio and stretching and then some shooting. Then at night we will practice at 6pm until 8pm.” Speaking on the season so far, John details the early exit from the BBL Cup: “We got eliminated from the cup, but there is still the Trophy and the Championship. I was disappointed, you know we should have won that; we should be in the semi-finals. We were short of a couple of guys and we were playing back to back games but it’s ok, we make no excuses.” He proceeds to mention the often difficult task of acquiring fans within the area with local football club Chester FC enjoying a popular following: “We’re trying to win them over,” John reveals with a smirk. John admits he has followed the majority and sampled the football Chester has to offer: “I’ve been to a couple of their games, it’s fun. I want to go to a ‘Man U’ game though. I don’t know
John Coffino. Image courtesy of Ben Taylor.
Cheshire Phoenix fans out in force at the Northgate Arena. Photograph courtesy of Ben Taylor. port, I think they have a regarded and appreciible job getting out to anything but Rooney, chance.” ated by the club coach: the schools and getting that’s all I know!” The Although there may “We’ve got the best fans the kids to come to the American’s knowledge still be a way to go bein the country, not even games. ‘Hoops4Health,’ of football is admittedly is a great programme limited but his eagerness fore basketball is consid- a question about it. I ered a mainstream sport mean these fans are so where they go to the to immerse himself in in Britain, Cheshire loyal. The game Sunday schools and they talk to this country’s national Phoenix are developing (referring to the home them about healthy eatsport is another sign of a setup which makes game against Durham, ing, and they talk a little his fondness of the area. them almost unrecogPhoenix won the game bit about basketball. We Speaking about his nisable from their previ- 83-79), it was just a mad hit about 60 schools.” plans for the rest of the Cheshire Phoenix face day, John casually reveals ous life as the struggling house, it really was. I am ‘Cheshire Jets’ team, who just so glad we won for a difficult test in the BBL he also has an interview were pulled out of the the fans.” Trophy round of 16 on with the Guardian: “I One thing that has January 18 with an away have a meeting with two BBL just a few seasons of my players, I have an interview with the National newspaper, The Guardian?” He asks with a blank face: “I’ve never heard of them.” Whether the American coach has heard of The Guardian or not, a national newspaper covering basketball is surely a sign that the sport is growing in this country. Basketball is often an invisible ago, because of financial always remained central fixture against Plymouth sport in the national difficulties. to the Cheshire Phoenix University Raiders. But newspapers, lost among The clichéd saying: is the close-knit comif their current run in football, rugby and ‘If you build it, they will munity who run the the league is anything to cricket. But interviews come’ rings true for club and the renowned go by, they have every with those involved in the aspirations Cheshfamily oriented feel of chance of progressing in the game like Coffino, ire Phoenix have for the organisation. Coffino the competition. will undoubtedly make the club in the coming stresses the importance John Coffino curpeople more aware of years. 2015 will see of including children in rently holds a two-year the sport: “There’s no the club will move to the club: “Yeah I mean contract with Cheshire question, a lot of people a bigger stadium, built the whole idea, to get Phoenix, and his tenjust don’t know.” in Elsmere Port to hold the community and the ure is already proving a Coffino admits he can around 14-1500 fans. children out here. The notable appointment for already see a change in Their current home in hard part is getting them the club. The American’s British Basketball from the Northgate Arena has to come to a game; once introduction into the when he first arrived in the capacity for around they come they’re going British League is also a the summer, and that the 750 fans. John explains: to be hooked.” favourable step for the sport is only increasing “It (Northgate Arena) is Testament to the club’s development of basin popularity: “Yeah a tough place to play if community spirit is the ketball in this country. definitely, Basketball is you’re a visiting team. work they do with young 2015 promises to be an going to grow in this It’s our last year there people in the local area, exciting year for Cheshcountry, if everybody then we move to the new using basketball as a tool ire Phoenix, with their gets on the same page, arena. It’s very nice, state for health initiatives. The move to a new, bigger it’s going to grow. Just of the art.” coach explains: “John stadium and thrilling get their heads together The Cheshire PhoeLavery is in charge of prospects in both the and put some money up nix fans who will fill the the community stuff league and the BBL and give them the supnew stadium, are highly and he does an incredTrophy.
“Basketball is going to grow in this country, if everybody gets on the same page, it’s going to grow.” John Coffino
Fixtures roundup
Chester Chronicle. Cheshire Phoenix Special. Page.4.
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ovember and December have been two standout months for Cheshire Phoenix. The side picked up an impressive eight wins out of the nine games they have played so far in the period, including a moral boosting away 82-99 win over local rivals Manchester Giants. This remarkable run of seven wins in a row is bettered only by current league leaders Esh Group Eagles Newcastle. As a result of their form, Phoenix currently sit in third place in the BBL Championship. In the sides most recent game against Worcester Wolves, they ran out 97-86 winners. Cheshire have displayed an excellent team dynamic in their
succession against Sheffield Sharks on January 9 and January 25. John Coffino’s side stand every chance of progressing into the next round of the BBL Trophy when they play Plym-
Cheshire Phoenix celebrate a home win against Bristol. Photograph courtesy of Ben Taylor. recent form, and indiagainst top end title con- ture will be crucial for vidual performances tenders London Lions. Cheshire as the Champifrom two of Cheshire’s Cheshire will be hoping onship table is extremely players, Taylor King for revenge over the close between the top and Demond Watt are Lions, after the 87-71 de- teams. particularly impressive. feat in early November. In the New Year, Both players boast a Several teams in the Cheshire will be hoping notable 19.9 points per league have games in to pick up points when game average. hand going into the they play struggling side Cheshire’s last game New Year, due to BBL Leeds Force on January before Christmas is a cup commitments, and 23. Phoenix will also challenging home tie therefore every fixface two games in quick
outh University Raiders on January 18. Cheshire have already played and won Plymouth 104-98 in the league in November. All statistics and league standings correct as of 16/12/2014.
Demond Watt in action against Glasgow. Photograph courtesy of Ben Taylor.
Meet the new players
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n November, John Coffino welcomed three new signings to the Cheshire Phoenix roster, here we find out more information about the new players.
Paul Sturgess
Cheshire Phoenix’s signing of 7ft 8in centre, Paul Sturgess has brought a wealth of media attention to the club. Officially the world’s tallest basketball player, Phoenix fans will certainly notice when Sturgess takes to the court. Born in Loughborough, Sturgess signed for the Phoenix on November 20. The 27-year-old acquired the ironic nickname ‘Tiny’ whilst playing for the Harlem Globetrotters. He was signed by the Globetrotters in 2011 after playing college basketball in America. Sturgess was then drafted by NBA D-league side Springfield Armour, before moving on to the Texas Legends for the remainder of the 2013 season. Paul Sturgess wears size 20 shoes and can
Paul Sturgess. Photograph courtesy of Ben Taylor. hold the rim of a bascollege basketball for the ketball net comfortably University of Louisville at standing height. The until 2004. He’s had addition of the Englishman into Coffino’s side will undoubtedly take Phoenix to new heights.
title success in America, Egypt, Bulgaria and Sweden and has played basketball in countries including Italy, France and Israel amongst others. Naydenov, who stands at 6ft 6in, represented his native Bulgarian side Lukoil Academic Sofia until recently when he left the club as the two parties struggled to agree terms. The combo-guard has a notable reputation for his three-point shooting and if he can bring this to Cheshire, he will no doubt be a fan favourite in no time at all.
Simeon Naydenov Another of the new additions to the Phoenix roster is Bulgarian combo-guard Simeon Naydenov. Phoenix can expect an experienced player in the 33-yearold, who has won championships with many of his previous clubs. The Bulgarian played
Simeon Naydenov. Photograph courtesy of Ben Taylor
Adrien Sturt 28-year-old Adrian Sturt is another of Coffino’s signings following the departure of Devan Bailey. The center will bring physical presence and strength to the roster and has title winning experience under his belt. The Australian-British player already boasts BBL experience after his stint with rivals London Lions. The London club recently released Sturt after he played only a handful of games for the club this season. 6ft 10in Sturt will be
Adrien Sturt. Photograph courtacy of Ben Taylor hoping for more game time at Phoenix, and with Coffino’s tight 10 man roster now beginning to gel, rotation will surely only benefit Cheshire approaching a packed fixtures schedule in the New Year. Notably, Sturt won the NBL title in his first season with Australian club Melbourne Tigers and represented the GB under-23 side.