Basketball: Rampant Tigers set to take giant steps

Sep 21 2007 by Peter Guy, Liverpool Daily Post

EVERTON are about to embark on a new adventure this season – and a surprise shot at the title is on the agenda.

But it is away from Goodison Park and indeed football, that the club’s latest venture is set to begin when they launch their first season in top-flight basketball.

Garnering a wealth of talent from Merseyside and overseas, Everton Tigers are to compete in the British Basketball League – the sport’s equivalent of Premier League. And head coach Henry Mooney can’t wait to begin. “This is the biggest thing to happen to us,” he said. “It is the first time we’ve had professional basketball team in the city for 30 years.

“I think Everton is going to be the biggest name in basketball in this country – hopefully the city will get behind us and we can bring home some silverware.”

Everton Tigers formed when the football club teamed up with their basketball contemporaries Toxteth Tigers and together they hope to build on strong community links and global contacts to bring home the title.

Mooney, who has recently returned from a recruiting drive in America, will draw upon his 40 years of experience when assembling his team. But he is also mindful of the role the Tigers will play in channelling youngsters into a productive pastime.

He said: “I started playing aged 13 – basketball saved me to a certain extent. I was able to meet players from all over the world, and that is why some of the players are here. They’ve come to play for me, and you know they could earn bigger salaries in Europe but Everton Football Club have sold them on coming to be part of this big adventure. We are here to win not just to participate, and I think we have the players to do that.

“The team combines supremely talented locals and well-known internationals that have competed at the highest level. It’s a hugely exciting concept and we hope the people of Liverpool get right behind us.”

Chairman Gary Townsend, added: “Through basketball we want to improve playing standards while having a positive impact on young people and helping to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime.”

The international flavour of the new Tigers team sees three Americans and 6’10” Ivory Coast giant Mohammed Woni join the set-up. They are joined by five Merseysiders that gained scholarships in the US.

And Mooney believes their expertise should not only help them in their first league season in the UK but also catapult them on to the European stage where other European footballing giants, like Real Madrid and Barcelona already have their own basketball sides in the sport’s equivalent of the UEFA Cup – the ULEB.

“I wanted to give an opportunity to British players and we have got seven guys from the Merseyside area,” Mooney explained. “Five went to college in the US and played professionally for the past three years. Now we have given them the opportunity to come back and showcase their talent to Liverpool. We can challenge the top three and hopefully win the whole thing – I know we’re good enough.”

One man who knows all about success is Tony Robertson, who has joined the Tigers from the thriving US metropolis of Providence, Rhode Island.

Tony played and coached for Connecticut University as well as featuring for sides in Spain, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. Having settled on Merseyside he is now confident the Tigers can produce the goods.

“I’ve had to deal with a lot of airports, terminals and airplane food, but I’m finally here and happy to be on Merseyside,” he joked. “Coach Henry was a big part of me coming over. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have known anything about Everton Tigers. We did some work together this summer at a basketball camp in the states and he told me about it.

I’m excited to be part of this Everton revolution. I know it’s our first year but we’re going to be competitive and we’re going to be better than a lot of people think we are. I’m looking to surprise some teams.”

After plenty of training sessions Tony is pleased with the way the international contingent have bedded in with their Liverpudlian counterparts and expects both sets of players to work well together.

“There are young lads here but you need that sometimes.

“I’ve shown them what I know and hopefully they can take bits and pieces of the knowledge of the game that I have and hopefully we can put that together and make a good team. It would be nice because if we can get half of the crowd that attend the football matches to start liking Everton Tigers basketball, we should have a decent season.”

Adam Nowell, represents one of the many young Liverpudlians eager to show off their skills in the forthcoming campaign.

Having grown up in Toxteth and been a part of the Tigers set-up since aged eight, he welcomes the influx of international talent as a sign of the growing strength in their squad.

“It’s very exciting, and I can’t wait to start,” the 23-year-old said. “We’ve a much stronger team and I reckon we can challenge the very best.”

Fellow Scouser Dave Aliu has returned to Liverpool having played overseas and is looking forward to hook up with players back in his hometown.

“I grew up playing for Toffee Tigers and if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to come home and play in my own city. So I’m excited to be part of such a special programme.

“We’re here to prove a point and let people know that Liverpool is a great city for basketball as well as football and to put us on the map straight away.”

The Tigers begin their season at Plymouth on October 6 and host one of the competitions favourites London Capitals on October 12 at their home ground in Greenbank Sports Academy, Liverpool, at 8pm. For details visit: www.bbl.org.uk