The East Kent Crusaders basketball team have achieved promotion to Division 2 of the EBL, giving fans of the sport across the county reason to celebrate.
Promotion to the second tier of English basketball caps off a remarkable season for the Canterbury based team; finishing champions of their division and runners up in the National Shield.
The Crusaders dominated their division from day one and reeled off an impressive string of back-to-back victories, which only came to an end as the fixtures piled up at the end of the season. The Crusaders have been well supported both at home and away by a growing number of fans.
The Crusaders promotion case was also helped by their appearance in the final of the National Shield competition where despite losing on the day to Team Northumbria they were by far the most vocally supported team, despite the fact that the majority of the Crusaders fans had travelled well over 200 miles to see the match.
Off the court, East Kent received Clubmark status from England Basketball in recognition of the clubs work in the local community teaching basketball to youngsters.
Coach Jesse Sazant, reacting to the news, said promotion was “a just reward for all the hard work the players, directors, volunteers and supporters have put in this season.”
Sazant added, “We are not simply going to make up the numbers, we are aiming to put together a squad to challenge at the top of the division.”
To this end the Sazant has declared his intent to sign between four to six players with “major announcements to do with club development expected soon.”
The EBL Division 2 is a 12 team National League, unlike the regional division 3, with the Crusaders facing stiff competition from the likes of the Nottingham Knights (relegated from division 1) and WNC Mansfield Express (winners of the Division 2 play-off championship.) With trips to venues such as Liverpool looking set to vastly increase the player’s travel commitments.
Crusaders forward Walter Moyse, voted Crusaders MVP this season, said he had enjoyed his season with the Kent side saying: “It was great to help the team fulfil its ambition of promotion, Crusaders have a great group of players and they definitely helped me settle in here. They’re a great group of guys to play and train with.”
Crusaders guard Jeff Wadey, a player with Crusader since the clubs foundation two years ago said the clubs promotion was, “ Great achievement for a team that started only two years ago.”
Club President Anthony Sait said: I am very proud of the team promotion is a great achievement. The task now is to find our feet in Division 2 next season and then win it the year after. I’m fully confident that with Jesse coaching the team we can do just that.”
EBL Division 2 2006-07: Aston Athletics, Bristol Academy (was Filton, newly promoted), Derby Trailblazers, Leicester Warriors, Liverpool, NEWI Nets, Northampton Neptunes, Nottingham Wildcats (relegated from Division 1), Plymouth Raiders II, Tamar Valley Cannons, WNC Mansfield Express (Division 2 play-off champions and league runners-up), East Kent Crusaders
Entries (RSS)