Report courtesy John Hobbs, Worthing Thunder

 

Worthing Thunder Basketball Club have finalised their squad for the upcoming England Basketball Division One season by signing a collection of ex-Thunder juniors and Brighton based players.

The club have re-signed James Brame, who will continue his role as assistant coach.

Brame is joined by 6’7 forward Hank Rivers from Stephen F. Austin University in Texas, Bud Johnston, Jack Sunderland, Tomas Seduikis, Joe Carter, Rhys Francis and Julian Stanley. Dominic Baker, who left the team mid-way through last season, also re-joins the squad.

They are joined by Corey Thompson and Nick Corbin, who both played for University of Chichester Thunder last season and Ben Budgen. He and Corbin were part of Worthing Thunder Under 18s’ national championship victory in 2011.

“It’s great that we have a passionate and hard-working group of local lads this season,” Brame said. “I know it’s been hard for us this off-season but the club have pulled through and this is a good, solid team we have. I’ve watched all these guys play from when they were kids and the improvement they have made year after year has been fantastic and they will really benefit from playing in this league.”

Worthing have also recruited Brighton-based guard Noel Pollock who has impressed Brame during the summer scrimmages that the club have run.

“The club are very happy with the squad put together as we look to give our youngsters a chance at making a name for themselves this season,” Worthing Thunder Chairman Frank Gainsbury said.

“We are delighted that Hank [Rivers] has come back along with Dominic Baker and Bud [Johnston]. Tomas Seduikis, Joe Carter and Julian Stanley were all fantastic last season and despite their other commitments, they were happy to play for Worthing and it’s great to welcome them back again.”