JOHN LAVERY will attempt to make the best of his small squad when Cheshire Jets resume their British Basketball League campaign in the New Year.
The club’s head coach ruled out the possibility of adding new players to his wafer-thin side ahead of Jets’ next two fixtures – at Sheffield Sharks on Friday, January 6, and at home to Guildford Heat on Sunday, January 8.
Lavery, who has given his players a festive break before they are due to return to the practice court on December 28, explained that Jets’ budget was smaller than other league clubs like Plymouth who signed ex-Jets guard Jeremy Bell – top scorer with 26 points in the Raiders’ 94-67 win over Glasgow Rocks on Sunday.
“We will go with what we’ve got between now and the rest of the season,” Lavery insisted.
“We would have liked to have retained players like Jeremy Bell in our squad, but our budget didn’t allow for that and we have been trying to work with a six-man rotation.
“It’s pretty unbelievable how much money other teams have in their budget compared to us, but we’ll be trying to do the best we can this season with what we’ve got.”
Lavery’s main goal before his team’s next fixture is to see his players reporting back with a clean bill of health.
He added: “We haven’t been able to name a fully fit squad so far this season and that has meant a small rotation and why we have suffered five losses.
“I firmly believe we could be on just one defeat because some of our results have been so close.
“I have been fairly happy with the way we have been playing but we do need to iron out a few things.
“We need everyone fit and healthy in the new year and then I think people will see a completely different Cheshire Jets.”
Lavery has been bitterly disappointed to see 6ft 9in American-born centre Matt Schneck sidelined so far this term with neck and ankle injuries but hopes Schneck will be fully fit when he returns in January.
He said: “Matt has received treatment from our club physios and will continue to receive treatment while he is away for Christmas and the New Year in America.
“Matt has struggled with a neck injury and he stretched ligaments in his ankle which has kept him out of action for the last six or seven weeks.
“I’m now hoping his fortnight at home can help recharge his batteries and that he’ll return fit and healthy.
“We can only start to pick up the pieces until we have a fully fit team. We’ve had an extremely hard start to the season, but I’m happy with what I’ve got out there.
“There is still a possibility that Jets can win the league, but we have to come together and I have to make sure that I manage the team well by ensuring the players have enough rest.
“I want to see the club finishing as high as we possibly can because nobody likes going out and losing games.”
Newcastle Eagles moved two points clear at the head of the British Basketball League with an 83-73 win at Guildford Heat.
Charles Smith led the way with 24 points, as the north-east side moved on to 18 points for the season after nine victories.