Plymouth Raiders
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| Plymouth Raiders | |
 |
|
| League | British Basketball League |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Team History | Plymouth Raiders 1983-present |
| Arena | Plymouth Pavilions |
| City | Plymouth, Devon |
| Team Colours | Green, White, Black |
| Ownership | Plymouth Raiders (Basketball) Ltd. |
| Head Coach |  Gary Stronach |
The Plymouth Raiders, sponsored by Kularoos, are South-west England's leading basketball team. Based in the city of Plymouth, they play their home games at the Plymouth Pavilions arena and compete in the British Basketball League.
Contents |
[edit] Franchise history
Plymouth Raiders entered the English National Basketball League in 1983 and were the longest serving team in the league before exiting to join the British Basketball League in 2004.
Since season 1996/97 they had been one of the top teams in National Basketball League Division 1 and the Conference League and winners of both league and play-off titles. The Conference was the original Division 1 league for clubs who could meet the highest standards in English basketball but this league has now reverted to being called Division 1.
Season 1985/86 saw their first chance for a championship - reaching the final of the National Trophy, a feat that they also achieved in 1994, 1997, 1998 and 1999. Their best league position prior to winning the Conference league in 2000/01 was 2nd place in seasons 1996/97, 1997/98 and 1998/99 and winning through to the play off finals in each of these three seasons. More than 500 Plymouth fans travelled to Wembley Arena to see them win the play-off championship in 1997 and again in Guildford in 1999. A feat which the Raiders repeated yet again at Wembley in 2001when they added this trophy to the NBL Conference League Trophy.
The Raiders home court is at the Plymouth Pavilions. With its state-of-the-art technical facilities it provides the ideal environment for the basketball enthusiast. The result being that Raiders play their games to packed houses with in some instances games sold out weeks before the event.
Over the years Raiders have carried out considerable coaching and development programmes not only in the city of Plymouth but also throughout the counties of Devon and Cornwall. These culminated in the setting up of the Raidercoach Basketball Academy in September 1998 an extremely successful venture bringing top quality coaching to the children of the two counties.
In 2004 Plymouth Raiders were elected to join the British Basketball League, the top tier of basketball in the United Kingdom.
[edit] Home arenas
- Mayflower Centre (1983-1991)
- Torbay Leisure Centre (1991-1992)
- Mayflower Centre (1992-1996)
- Plymouth Pavilions (1996-present)
[edit] Season-by-season records
| Season | Div. | Pos. | Pld. | W | L | Pts. | Play Offs | Trophy | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989-1990 | NBL 1 | 9th | 22 | 8 | 14 | 16 | DNQ | - | - |
| 1990-1991 | NBL 1 | 10th | 18 | 4 | 14 | 8 | DNQ | - | - |
| 1991-1992 | NBL 1 | 6th | 22 | 13 | 9 | 26 | Semi-final | - | - |
| 1992-1993 | NBL 1 | Last | - | - | - | - | DNQ | - | - |
| 1993-1994 | NBL 1 | 9th | - | - | - | - | DNQ | Runners-up | - |
| 1994-1995 | NBL 1 | 9th | 22 | 7 | 15 | 14 | DNQ | - | - |
| 1995-1996 | NBL 1 | 10th | 22 | 7 | 15 | 14 | DNQ | - | - |
| 1996-1997 | NBL 1 | 2nd | 26 | 19 | 7 | 38 | Winners | Runners-up | - |
| 1997-1998 | NBL 1 | 2nd | 22 | 19 | 3 | 38 | Runners-up | Runners-up | - |
| 1998-1999 | NBL 1 | 2nd | 26 | 21 | 5 | 42 | Winners | Runners-up | - |
| 1999-2000 | NBL 1 | 4th | 24 | 16 | 8 | 32 | - | 2nd Round | - |
| 2000-2001 | NBL Conf. | 1st | 21 | 19 | 2 | 38 | Winners | Semi-final | - |
| 2001-2002 | NBL Conf. | 2nd | 18 | 14 | 4 | 28 | Semi-final | Semi-final | - |
| 2002-2003 | NBL Conf. | 2nd | 22 | 18 | 4 | 36 | Semi-final | Semi-final | - |
| 2003-2004 | EBL 1 | 1st | 22 | 20 | 2 | 40 | Runners-up | Semi-final | Winners |
| 2004-2005 | BBL | 9th | 40 | 12 | 28 | 24 | DNQ | 1st Round | Quarter-final |
| 2005-2006 | BBL | 9th | 40 | 16 | 24 | 32 | DNQ | 1st Round | 1st Round |
[edit] Trophies
[edit] League
- NBL Conference Winners: 2000/01 1
- EBL Division One Winners: 2003/04 1
- NBL Division One Runners Up: 1996/97, 1997/98 & 1998/99 3
- NBL Conference Runners Up: 2001/02, & 2002/03 2
[edit] Playoffs
- NBL Division One Play Off Winners: 1996/97, & 1998/99 2
- NBL Conference Play Off Winners: 2000/01 1
- EBL Division One Play Off Runners Up: 2003/04 1
[edit] Trophy
- National Trophy Runners Up: 1985/86, 1991/92, 1996/97, 1997/98 & 1998/99 5
[edit] Cup
- National Cup Winners: 2003/04 1
[edit] Current roster
The numbers are established according to the official websites of the team (www.plymouthraiders.com) and Britain's top professional league, the BBL (www.bbl.org.uk).
As of October 17, 2006
| 4 | |
Jean Wakanena | Guard |
| 5 | |
Allister Gall | Guard |
| 6 | |
Gavin Love | Guard |
| 7 | |
Jamie Burchell | Guard/Forward |
| 8 | |
Graham Nesbitt | Forward |
| 9 | |
Mark Woodhouse | Forward/Centre |
| 10 |  |
Jeff Danchie | Guard |
| 11 |  |
DeAntoine Beasley | Forward |
| 13 |  |
Antti Nykänen | Forward |
| 20 | |
Gaylon Moore | Forward |
| 21 | |
Andrew Lasker | Guard |
| 23 | |
Carlton Aaron | Centre |
[edit] Squad changes during 2006/07 season
In:
- Jean Wakanena - Signed From Hackney White Heat
- Graham Nesbitt - Signed From Solent Stars
- Mark Woodhouse - Signed From Thor AK
Out:
- Lawren Ramos - Transferred To Released
[edit] Notable former players
- Todd Cetnar
Nick Chatzinikolis
Deng Deng- Dave Downey
- Terrance Durham
- Trent Forbes
- Jon Goodemote
- Rob Harper
- Gareth Laws
Daniel Okonkwo- Solomon Sheard
- Gary Stronach
- Roderick Wellington
- Dean Williams
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
| British Basketball League 2006-07 | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Chester Jets | Guildford Heat | Leicester Riders | London United | Milton Keynes Lions | Newcastle Eagles | Plymouth Raiders | Scottish Rocks | Sheffield Sharks | Worcester Wolves |
