Basketball: Guildford poised at crossroads

WITH the Budweiser League title slipping out of sight and the European Clubs' Championship only a recurring nightmare, Guildford King's coach Kevin Cadle desperately needs his players to make a fresh start tonight, as they open their defence of the national cup against Oldham Celtics in the third round.

'We have to re-focus,' Cadle said after the 109-64 home defeat against Barcelona on Wednesday night lowered the morale of his players, who have yet to be paid by the club.

'We know what the situation is. Either the players deal with it or they get out,' Cadle said. 'I can go out on the court on my own and lose by 50 points, I don't need them to do it for me.'

The shift of domestic power has swung away from Guildford, who dominated the game for five years. They played no part in this week's League Trophy semi-final first legs, when Worthing Bears beat Thames Valley Tigers 94-88 and Manchester Giants defeated Leicester 86-74.