SAMG Verve Scottish Rocks

It’s almost time for the LIVE game against Milton Keynes on Setanta Sports 1, so I decided to take myself along to practice and see how the guys were feeling about it - check if the nerves had set in and see first hand how hard they have been working.

It certainly wasn’t for the faint hearted, as Sterling had the boys work on everything from defence to shooting, running drill after drill, followed by so many sprints, I lost count.

Once they caught their breath, I managed to grab a quick chat with Sterling, Big Mo and Rob to find out just how they were feeling and if the cameras being on them would make a difference to the game.

Mo played it cool, saying he isn’t too worried about being in the spotlight, as he’s done it before with the German team. 

Rob is also feeling confident and says that he’ll be telling the boys to stay alert and play hard on Wednesday.

And Sterling, well all he’s looking for is commitment and focus from his team, and believes that if they can achieve that, then the win is well within their reach.

A quick day off and it was back to work for the team, as they headed out the door before 9AM to run the treadmill, followed by a two-hour practice session, while the rest of us had a lie-in and ate the rest of our Easter eggs. 

There is no such thing as a bank holiday for these boys, just focus and dedication.

For Rob, Mo and Sterling’s full interview be sure to check out Rocks TV.

So it was commiserations on Sunday for the Braehead faithful -I actually think my heart stopped for a moment there so can only imagine how the guys felt.  Although we whooped Newcastle, there was a bitter-sweet sense that no-one really cared but everyone admitted the guys played hard and did the fans proud.

Both Rob and Sterling braved the camera for a post-match interview (i don’t know who felt worse- me sticking the camera in their face or them having to put a brave face on for it) 

Sterling said it’s the proudest he’s been of his team so far and Rob had a warning for Newcastle in future, saying: ”Now when we play against Newcastle they’ll know we’re not a team to be taken lightly - we are a force to be reckoned with.”

FOR THEIR FULL INTERVIEW VISIT www.stv.tv/content/sport/basketball

On the flip side a big congratulations goes out to JJ who was inducted into the Georgia College Hall of Fame last week.  I had a quick word with him and he told me how shocked he was when his Coach called to tell him and that it’s one of the proudest moments of his life.

Now it’s time to look forward - we may be down but are most definitely not out - the BBL is a marathon not a sprint. So look out, the Rocks are on the way to crush whoever gets in their way.

- Georgina

Georgina Lennon sits down with Rocks guard Maurice “Squeaky” Hampton…

Maurice ‘Squeaky’ Hampton says his first trip to Scotland was so great he had to come back for another season.

“Glasgow is a great city,” said Maurice “The people have been so welcoming to me and there’s always something to do.”

“Last season was the first time I’d been to Europe and I’m really excited to be back again.”

The city isn’t the only reason Maurice came back. His friendship with both Rob and Sterling helped to clinch the deal.

“Sterling wanted to keep the core of last season’s team and I was included in that. It really made me feel wanted.”

He added: “Rob and I had been talking all summer about getting as many of the guys back as possible and after getting so close to winning last year we decided we could do it this year if everyone came back.”

Maurice says he is really pleased to see Sterling in the player/head coach role and says he couldn’t have picked anyone better.

“He’s more than just a coach to me, he’s like a big brother and I’m sure he’ll do a great job.”

When not on the court the 23-year-old American from Russellville, Kentucky, has a serious shoe fetish.

“I love shoes,” says Maurice “I have over 80 pairs and I’m always on the look out for more.”

Maurice also likes to make music and counts Lil’ Wayne and T.I. as some of his musical inspirations.

Maurice is looking forward to bringing some silverware home to Braehead this season and thinks that having the same team will help them go all the way.

“Having the same guys back will make us a stronger side.”

“We know how each other likes to play and we have a real bond and respect for each other,” said Maurice.

He added: “For me personally, I just plan to be as consistent as possible and help the team win as many games as possible.”

“I’d also like to thank the fans for all their support – it’s greatly appreciated.”

Georgina sits down with new Rocks player/coach Sterling Davis…

New head player-coach Sterling Davis says he’s looking forward to the season ahead and has every faith the SAMG Verve Scottish Rocks can bring some silverware back to Braehead this season.

“With us having the core of the guys from last season we are a stronger side this year. We know each other’s strong points and how we like to play, so that should give us an added bonus on the court to secure wins this year,” said Davis.

Raised in Dallas, Texas, Davis was surrounded by basketball. His dad was a high school coach and both his brother and sister played the game also.  Although basketball was a main focus in the household, Sterling says his father made sure education came first.

“I came from an academically strict household. My father always made sure I focused as much on my education as I did my game so that I had something solid behind me in-case sport didn’t work out.” 

The 29-year-old admits he’s a city boy at heart and that Glasgow is the perfect place to be.

“I love this city,” says the Coach “It’s vibrant, friendly and has some great shops and nightlife.”

When not on the court, Sterling likes to read, particularly autobiographies, and he admits that he’s an avid fan of Oprah Winfrey’s book club.

“If she’s got a book on there I’m going to read it,” says Sterling. “She always has interesting, meaningful books on there that you might not find otherwise.”

He also likes to parasail and do some deep-sea fishing. He’d also like to run a marathon and has indicated to me that might be sometime in the near future.

For the season ahead, Sterling’s plan is to focus on becoming defensively strong as a team. 

“We have some of the greatest players in the league at the Rocks and are definitely one of the strongest sides.

“I’m really happy that we managed to get the team back from last year and I hope we can be as successful as possible, continue to be a close nit group and win games.”

Sterling would like to put a shout out to the fans to continue supporting the team and says without them the team wouldn’t be the same – GO ROCKS!!!!