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| Reading Rockets |
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| Main Sponsor |
None |
| League |
EBL Division 1 |
| Established |
1997 |
| History |
Reading Rockets
1997-present |
| Arena |
Rivermeade Leisure Complex |
| Location |
Reading, Berkshire |
| Head Coach |
 David Titmus |
| Ownership |
Gary Johnson |
| Colours |
Red and White, Black and White |
| Website |
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| Uniforms |
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| Home |
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| Away |
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The Reading Rockets are a basketball club based in Reading, Berkshire that currently play in the English Basketball League. The Rockets were formed in 1997 by the current owner Gary Johnson and played in Division 3 of the then National Basketball League. Won promotion at the first attempt, and in the reorganisation of 2000 the National Basketball League replaced Division 1 with the eight-team NBL Conference as the second-tier after the BBL. Subsequently Division 2 became Division 1 where the Rockets found themselves. They were there for just one season, finishing second, and beating Oxford in the Championship Final, thus winning promotion to the NBL Conference after a mere four years in the league. A creditable seventh place finish in the NBL Conference during the 2001/2002 season showed that they were not just there to make up the numbers. In the following season, the Rockets continued their rise, finishing in third place within the NBL Conference. In 2003, the National Basketball League was rebranded as the English Basketball League, and once again was restructured with a new format, Rockets finished in second place in the new EBL Division 1. Finnished third the following season and have been League runners-up to Worthing Thunder in both the 2005/06 & 2006/07 seasons. Whlist in 2008 they came close to winning the League title, beating Manchester in the final game of the season, to draw level at the top, but losing out to on points difference in the head-to-head.
Now firmly established within the EBL Division 1 the Rockets won the National Cup in 2004/05, reached EBL Championship Final in 2005, were National Cup Finalists in 2006. In 2007 the Rockets won the Final of the National Trophy, and retained the title in 2008.
[edit] 2008/2009 Season
| Achievements |
| 2007/2008 |
| National Trophy Winners |
| EBL Division 1 Runners up |
| 2006/2007 |
| National Trophy Winners |
| EBL Division 1 Runners up |
| RAF Championship Trophy (U18) Winners |
EBL U18 Men's Premier South West
League Winners |
| Sureshot National Cup (U18) Winners |
| 2005/2006 |
| EBL Division 1 Play Off Champions |
| EBL Division 1 Runners up |
| National Cup Finalists |
| 2004/2005 |
| National Cup Winners |
| EBL Division 1 Play Off Finalists |
| 2003/2004 |
| EBL Division 1 Runners up |
| 2002/2003 |
| NBL Conference Finalists |
[edit] Roster
Sam Saggers
| Position: |
Forward |
| Height: |
{{{height}}} |
| Nationality: |
Great Britain |
| Age: |
|
| Former teams |
Reading Rockets II
IPSWICH TOMCATS |
Jason Sayers
| Position: |
Forward |
| Height: |
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Nationality: |
Great Britain |
| Place of Birth: |
Peterborough |
| Date of Birth: |
19th July 1988 |
| Age: |
19 |
| Former teams |
Reading Rockets II |
Richard Wellings
| Position: |
Guard |
| Height: |
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Nationality: |
Great Britain |
| Age: |
24 |
| Awards: |
Player of the Month March 2008
Player of the Month April 2008 |
| Former teams |
Birmingham Bullets
Biloxi High School |
| Profile: |
Rich has achieved a lot having captained Great Britain at youth level and being named GB Under 19 National player of the year. Rich returned for his fifth season in a Rockets jersey during the 2007/08 season. |
Andy Harper
| Position: |
Guard |
| Height: |
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Nationality: |
 United States |
| Date of Birth: |
4th September 1981 |
| Age: |
26 |
| Awards: |
Rockets Coaches Award 2007/08 |
| Former teams |
Worcester Wolves
Akron Wingfoots
Denver Truckers
Columbia Basin College |
| Profile: |
Andy secured the MVP award in the 2007/08 National Trophy. Andy signed for Worcester Wolves for the 2005/06 season from Albertson College, Idaho, USA. In the EBL National Trophy final win against Sheffield Arrows he won the Most Valuable Player award. Harper was Wolves top scorer in their last EBL campaign. In 2006/2007 Andy lined up for Worcester Wolves in their inaugural British Basketball League season. At the end of the 2006/2007 season Wolves terminated the contracts of almost all their first-choice players. |
Simon Kearney
| Position: |
Guard |
| Nickname |
Spud |
| Height: |
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Nationality: |
Great Britain |
| Place of Birth: |
Taunton, England |
| Date of Birth: |
17th September 1987 |
| Age: |
20 |
| Awards: |
U20 European Championship Men – DIVISION B 2007 (Great Britain)
U20 European Championship Men – DIVISION B 2006 (Great Britain) |
| Former teams |
Taunton Tigers
Reading Rockets U18 |
| Profile: |
Spud has come through Rockets junior programme has committed himself to the club for the coming season. Simon (Spud) Kearney is a member of the Great Britain under 20 team and is pledging himself to the Rockets after taking up a four year long degree studies course at the University of Reading. Kearney has been playing basketball since he was five-years-old and began his national league experience at the tender age of 11 when he played for Taunton Tigers and was selected to captain the team. Kearney lead the Taunton under 16 team to an undefeated league season where he personally averaged 30 points per game. At 16, he joined the Rockets, where he captained the under 18 the team before making the step up to the first team. Spud has earned 15 caps for Great Britain and played in Bulgaria, Portugal and Poland. |
Adam Thoseby
| Position: |
Guard |
| Height: |
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Nationality: |
Great Britain |
| Place of Birth: |
Melbourne (AUS) |
| Date of Birth: |
25 November 1991 |
| Age: |
16 |
| Awards: |
U18 Men 2008 (England)
U16 European Championship Men 2007 (England) |
Dan McKay
| Position: |
Guard |
| Height: |
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Nationality: |
Great Britain |
| Place of Birth: |
London, England |
| Date of Birth: |
11th February 1989 |
| Age: |
19 |
| Awards: |
English Player of the Year for Under 18 Men (2008)
U18 European Championship Men 2007 (England)
Player of the Month February 2008
Rockets Most Improved Player Award 2007/08 |
| Former teams |
Slough Tornadoes
PAWS London Capitals juniors
Reading Rockets U18 |
| Profile: |
Dan has been widely tipped as a big star of the future, and it is a mark of his talent that he was awarded the English Player of the Year for Under 18 Men (2008). The second Rockets Player to receive the award. Dan played through the ranks at the Rockets before joining the first team. |
Danny Carter
| Position: |
Centre |
| Height: |
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Nationality: |
Great Britain |
| Place of Birth: |
London, England |
| Date of Birth: |
30th September 1988 |
| Age: |
19 |
| Awards: |
Player of the Month October 2007
Player of the Month January 2008
English Player of the Year for Under 18 Men (2007)
U20 European Championship Men – DIVISION B 2007 (Great Britain)
U18 European Championship Men – DIVISION B 2006 (England) |
| Former teams |
Reading Rockets U18 |
| Profile: |
Danny has come through the ranks at the Rockets before becoming a first team regular this season. |
Tom Sadler
| Position: |
Center |
| Height: |
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Nationality: |
Great Britain |
| Place of Birth: |
Colchester |
| Date of Birth: |
13th August 1982 |
| Age: |
25 |
| Former teams |
ALBANY PATROONS
England under 18 team
GB students |
| Profile: |
Tom has four years of college experience in the States and a year
of professional basketball in Denmark |
David Watts
| Position: |
Guard |
| Nickname |
"Tin Tin" |
| Height: |
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Nationality: |
Great Britain |
| Age: |
23 |
| Awards: |
Player of the Month December 2007
Most Valuable Player Award 2007/08
Rockets Supporters Club Player of the Year 2007/08 |
| Former teams |
South Nottingham College
Optica Hannut
Mansfield Express |
| Profile: |
Affectionately known as 'Tin Tin', started out with South Nottingham College and has been inspirational for the Reading Rockets this season since joining the club last summer. Watts has already won six full England caps debuting against Japan in 2004. Tin Tin had an excellent debut season with the Rockets in 2005/06, resigned for the 2007/08 season winning the season’s ‘most valuable player’ award and also picking up the supporters club player of the year |
|
[edit] Squad changes during 2008/09 season
[edit] Management and coaching staff
[edit] Season-by-season records
| Season |
Division |
Position |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Points |
Play Offs |
National
Trophy |
National
Cup |
| Reading Rockets |
| 2007-2008 |
EBL Div1 |
2nd |
18 |
16 |
2 |
32 |
Runners-Up |
Winners |
Semi Finals |
| 2006-2007 |
EBL Div1 |
2nd |
22 |
19 |
3 |
38 |
Semi-Finals |
Winners |
Semi-Finals |
| 2005-2006 |
EBL Div1 |
2nd |
26 |
22 |
4 |
44 |
Winners |
Semi Finals |
Runners-Up |
| 2004-2005 |
EBL Div1 |
3rd |
22 |
16 |
6 |
32 |
Runners-Up |
DNQ |
Winners |
| 2003-2004 |
EBL Div1 |
2nd |
22 |
17 |
5 |
34 |
Semi-Finals |
DNQ |
Quarter Finals |
| 2002-2003 |
NBL Conf |
3rd |
22 |
16 |
6 |
32 |
Runners-Up |
Quarter Finals |
|
| 2001-2002 |
NBL Conf |
7th |
18 |
7 |
11 |
14 |
Quarter Finals |
DNQ |
|
| 2000-2001 |
NBL Div1 |
2nd |
18 |
14 |
4 |
28 |
Winners |
DNQ |
|
| 1999-2000 |
NBL Div2 |
5th |
24 |
17 |
7 |
34 |
Semi-Finals |
DNQ |
|
| 1998-1999 |
NBL Div2 |
4th |
24 |
17 |
7 |
34 |
Quarter Finals |
DNQ |
|
| 1997-1998 |
NBL Div3 |
3rd |
26 |
12 |
14 |
24 |
Quarter Finals |
DNQ |
|
- DNQ denotes Did Not Qualify.
[edit] Notable former players
[edit] 2007/2008 Season
- August & September – Rockets lose opening match against San Jose State University (64-74). The Rockets then start a winning run by beating Frejeres (France) 82-95 and Cherbourg (France) 73-82. The follow this up with a win against Team "USA" select (102-84).
- October – Great start to the season with Rockets building an unbeaten record in both National Cup and Trophey with wins against: West Herts Warriors (59 – 64). Derby Trailblazers – Rockets score their highest points victory ever in a 126- 67 win. Coventry Crusaders (100-56). Manchester Magic (97 – 90). Northampton Neptunes (126-73). Bristol Academy Flyers (88-73). This record gave the Rockets top spot in their group and a guaranteed home draw in the semi-finals of the National Trophy for which they are the holders. Rockets announce that Clint Deas has left the club due to personal circumstances.
- November – Rockets win their opening Division One (Men) match v Bristol Academy Flyers (91-70). But lost their second Division One match to Manchester Magic (98 – 91). In the National Cup Rockets progress to the semi-finals beating Mansfield Giants (56 – 104), Westminster Warriors (88-58). In a month where rockets are hit with injuries to both Rich Wellings and Andy Harper, coach Titmuss drafted in Ashley Parsons and Jason Sayers from Rockets second team, for the match against Mansfield Giants. During the month Rockets announce the signings of American Bryan Taylor and Joe Perera from West Herts Warriors, who makes his debut against Manchester Magic.
- December – Bryan Taylor makes his debut in the win (103-69) against Sheffield Arrows Danny Carter tops scorer for the rockets while Jason Sayers gets some court time, on his home debut, late in the match. Matt Johnson named Assistant Coach to the coaching squad for England’s Under 16 Men. Rockets release Steve Vear and Bryan Taylor.
- January - Reading Rockets open the second half of the season with a win against Coventry Crusaders (93-76). Rockets gave a debut to 6ft 10in forward Tom Sadler in the match against Derby Trailblazers, which Rockets win (56-76). Tin Tin top scorer in both matches - 25 against Coventry Crusaders and 24 against Derby Trailblazers. Rockets suffer their second league defeat of the season to Worthing (71-76). Rockets put the Worthing defeat behind then and beat West Anglia Fury (41-96) Top scorers for Rockets Danny Carter 30, Tintin Watts 22, Tom Sadler & Adam Thoseby 10 each.
- February - Rockets start the month on winning ways. Beating Bristol Academy Flyers (62-105). Tintin Watts top scorer with 36 points, Danny Carter with 21 and both Andy Harper and Tom Sadler on 15 points. Rockets progress to final of the Men's National Trophy after beating Sheffield Arrows (103 - 88). Rocket keep their challenge for the league by securing wins against London Leopards (77-55) and Coventry Crusaders (62-76) D Watts 24 top scorer against London Leopards with 24 point whilst R Wellings is top scorer against Coventry Crusaders with 21 points. Rockets finish the both unbeaten with a second win against Sheffield Arrows (69 - 87). Rich Wellings is the top scorer again with 24 whilst Dan McKay and Tin Tin score 16 each
- March - Rockets are back-to-back National Trophy winners beating Worthing Thunder in the final in Manchester (84-68). In a repeat of last years encounter the top scorers for Rockets were Andy Harper 29, Tintin Watts 20, Dan McKay 10, Rich Wellings 9 and Tom Sadler 8. Andy also secured the MVP award with 29 Points, 3 Rebounds, 2 Steals and 1 Assist. Rockets extened their unbeaten run to 9 games (6 travelling), plus keeping the race for the league championship alive, by defeating Worthing Thunder. With a magnificent team performance, the Rockets inflicted a second consecutive defeat on Thunder and are now posed to challenge Manchester Magic to secure their first National League Championship. With Danny C sitting out with the travelling supporters it was Rich who lead the score sheet with 31 points, Tintin, 19 points & 12 rebounds, Dan Mckay 13 points. Rockets score a comfortable victory against West Anglia Fury at Rivermead (109 - 52) Top scorers are Jason Sayers (22), Andy Harper (19) and Adam Thoseby (15) as the Coach Titmus gives the less experienced team members much of the court time. Rockets win their final match of the season but were not able to win by the seven point margin required to give them the illusive League Championship title.
- April - Rockets cruise in to the play-off semi-finals after beating Sheffield Arrows (97 - 56). Adam Kelly make his last ever home appearance for Rockets. Danny Carter also enjoyed his last home game before a stint in an American college. Top scorers for Rockets were David 'Tintin' Watts 24, Danny Carter 19 and Andy Harper 17. Rockets were edged out by Manchester Magic who won the Play off Championship Final at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield. Following the game Titmuss presented Adam Kelly with the match ball as a mark of respect and gratitude for his contribution to the club. Assistant coach Matt Johnson was full of praise for the departing captain: “Adam epitomises everything about the Rockets ethos. He is a dedicated individual who has shown an unbelievable amount of commitment over the last 10 years. This season has been one of his best and he will be impossible to replace”.
Dave Titmuss reflecting on the season.
"Everyone at our club is delighted with our season," said the veteran coach who will be part of the Great Britain women’s programe during the summer. If you had said before Christmas that we would win the National Trophy, finish second in the league with the same win/loss record as the champions, and make it to the playoff championship final, I think we would have bitten your hand off given our personnel changes, injuries and having only one import! I am most pleased about the fact that we have given an opportunity to young players like Dan McKay, Dan Carter and Simon Kearney to play on average 28-plus minutes per game and for them have to perform at the top of Division One. Our junior programme under Matt Johnson has really produced some good kids and we had six of them on our senior roster this year. It is a great testament to his work that two different youngsters from the same club has won the England Basketball Junior Player Award in consecutive years Danny Carter last year and Dan McKay this season. I think even our severest critic would concede that we've got the maximum out of our talent this year. I'm sure there are five or six other teams with arguably stronger rosters that would have liked to have been competing in the playoff final, and in the end we lost to a very deep, experienced, talented and well-coached team that just wore us out."
[edit] Squad changes during 2007/08 season
[edit] External links
![[1]](http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/sbres/925.$plit/C_67_article_13129_body_articleblock0_bodyimage.jpg?){kind=link}
