Hildreth staying positive ahead of Thunder double header

Thunder travel to the north-east on Saturday to face Tees Valley Mohawks on Saturday before hosting Team Solent at the Worthing Leisure Centre, 24 hours later on Sunday evening in National Cup action.

Hildreth’s side has lost the opening two National Trophy fixtures so far this season, which hasn’t sat too well for the coach - he has, however, seen great improvements from his side in training this week and hopes for a positive response.

He said: “We are moving into this weekend having worked very hard on the weaknesses we have shown in the previous two trophy games.

“We have not shot the ball at all well and when you shoot 25 per cent from the field and ten per cent from the three-point line you are not going too win many games. We have been working really hard in pre-season and I know the guys are not happy with our performance last week.

“But we learn from our mistakes and we are positive for the weekend ahead. Another long trip up north is not appreciated but this is what we have been dealt.”

Thunder go into Saturday’s tie with the key being defence. Hildreth knows that their offensive game needs to be better this week too, through playing as a team and getting good, open looks.

He continued: “Tees Valley have made a number of changes and kept the league leading scorer of last season so our defence is yet again the priority.

“If we are able to play the defence with the intensity we do in practice then we will be okay.”

EBL Division 3 outfit Team Solent will be Worthing’s first visitors this season to the Leisure Centre in-season, but no matter what division they are in, Hildreth still has a professional approach.

He said: “Team Solent are a team with nothing to lose in this competition. After a long day, 8:30am to 2:30am on Saturday for the team, it is another test we relish. We have many double headers so this is early preparation for of the weeks to come.

“I am happy with the progressions we have made and I know we will be ok this year. We have played a game without three starters and were at a loss but I’m sure most teams would struggle under these circumstances.”

Thunder’s away fixture with Tees Valley tips off at 6:30pm, with the home game against Team Solent at 5pm at Worthing Lesiure Centre.