The MK Breakers are looking ahead to their most important weekend in the club’s short history, where they will face-off against two formidable opponents on back-to-back evenings in what is shaping up to be an electrifying weekend of basketball at Bletchley Leisure Centre.
A big weekend awaits
After a blistering, undefeated start to their maiden season in both league and cup play, the Breakers have their work cut out for them against Division 3 leaders University of Hertfordshire Storm (12th November, 5pm tip-off) and NBL 1’s Bradford Dragons (13th November, 5pm tip-off). Tickets for both games are still available at a special 20% off and are selling fast, so grab yours before it’s too late.
Breaking onto the scene – the story so far
The return of men’s basketball to the city of Milton Keynes has seen this burgeoning side burst onto the scene at a break-neck pace. Currently sat comfortably in 2nd place of NBL Division 3 after a 4-0 start to the season, the Breakers have been too much to handle for each of their opponents so far thus far. The team’s cumulative points differential (the sum of their margins of victory from all games in league play) of 181 is the second highest in the entire NBL pyramid, second only to NBL 1 stalwarts Worthing Thunder.
Standout player Dante Langley has had a monstrous start to the campaign, scoring in double figures in every one of the Breakers’ games – including a 40pt showing against the Encon Derbyshire Arrows.
Club captain, Jordan Spencer has showcased his elite playmaking ability, high IQ and propensity to score at will. Having played at the highest level across the European and North American continents, he is bringing this experience back to his hometown to lead this young team in their first season.
Academy products Ethan Ratcliffe and William Issekya have been two shining lights for Coach Billy Beddow’s side, providing high energy, intensity and an understanding of their roles in the team’s successful start to the season. In Ratcliffe’s case, this manifested in a thunderous two-hand dunk against Anglia Ruskin University that brought the home crowd to their feet.
In cup competition, the Breakers upset two sides from Division 2 in order to reach the 4th round of the National Cup. Both CoB Rockets and Encon Derbyshire Arrows were toppled by the MK side as they look forward to facing their toughest opposition to date in the Bradford Dragons.
Opposition preview – ones to watch
Looking to Saturday’s opponents, the University of Hertfordshire Storm have established themselves as one of division 3’s toughest outfits. Runners-up in the 21/22 campaign, the Storm are still surging with momentum as the only other undefeated side in the league: 5-0.
Their key player this season is emerging guard Kavell Hawes. Hawes was integral to the Storm’s successful 21/22 season and has continued to impress this year; currently averaging 26.4 points per game, this puts him among the division’s most deadly offensive players.
Hawes’ running-mate, forward Lanre Ayinla has also been effective thus far, notching 20.2 points per game of his own. The Breakers will have their hands full as they prepare to face the Storm on Saturday evening.
Image credit: Carol Moir
Sunday’s opponents, the Bradford Dragons, are currently sat 3-1 in the NBL 1 standings. Good enough for 7th place and with games in hand, the Dragons have started the season solidly and will be looking to build on that as they face the Breakers on Sunday night, led by ex-BBL player Jordan Whelan.
Whelan has been borderline unstoppable in D1 this season, averaging 27.3 points per game and shooting 38.5% from beyond the arc, he is the most crucial match-up for the Breakers as they look to advance to the fifth round of the cup. A natural athlete with a high-level understanding of the game; the battle between him and whoever Coach Beddow gives the responsibility of defending him will be a spectacle to be enjoyed.
Quick-fire with captain Jordan Spencer
I caught up with Breakers captain Jordan Spencer to get an idea of how he is feeling ahead of this huge weekend for the club.
EJ: What’s the mindset of the team heading in to Saturday facing up against the only other undefeated team in Division 3 East?
Spencer: “We see it as another game and an opportunity to improve. We’re going to get everyone’s best shot, so we just have to be ready to execute a professional performance.”
EJ: This is your first back-to-back of the season, what’s the key to ensuring the team come out successful from this weekend?
Spencer: “Making sure we take care of our bodies, extra stretching, hydration, rest and recovery. Locking in on key match ups.”
Thoughts from Coach Beddow
Here’s Coach Billy Beddow sharing some insight into his expectations and thoughts about the two games this weekend.
“We’re excited for the biggest weekend of the season so far against two very good teams. University of Hertfordshire Storm have made a great start to the league, winning their first five games. We’re expecting them to be well drilled and it is sure to be our most difficult league game of the season so far.
Sunday’s game against Bradford will be a great test for us to play a team from two leagues above. Bradford have enjoyed lots of success in NBL1 over the past 10 years. They have some really high-level players, in particular Jordan Whelan who has been a standout for them so far this season since dropping down from the BBL.
We are looking forward to a big home crowd cheering us on both days to create that much needed home court advantage!”
Break or be broken
This weekend is the biggest test for the MK Breakers so far, and with a 24-hour turnaround between both games – the Breakers’ mettle will be put to the test against some of the NBL’s strongest opposition. With top-place in D3 in the balance, and the fifth round of the cup to play for, the Milton Keynes side will need all the support they can get at the Bletchley Leisure Centre to help see them through the weekend with the results they desire.
