Dave Ryan reports…

Levett Essex Leopards’ coach Thomas Baker is looking for his side to extend their winning streak as they head into their final two games of 2017.

The Big Cats travel to London Greenhouse Pioneers on Sunday lunchtime before wrapping up the calendar year with a home game against Middlesex LTBC at the Brentwood Centre on Sunday December 17, 4pm.

“We’ve been better in the last two games, but we can definitely improve” said Baker.

“We have the chance to go into the Christmas break with a 6-2 record which would set us up nicely for the second half of the season.

“We need to keep doing the things we do well and work on our weaknesses “

After seeing their promotion challenge falter due to player eligibility issues last season, Pioneers have had a tough start to the campaign and are joint tenth in the 12-team Division Two with a 2-7 record.

The London side are coached by Predrag Krener, who played briefly for the original Leopards, and their  two wins came against Sussex Bears and Middlesex. They made  an early exit from both the National and Patrons Cups with losses against Westminster Warriors.

The Sunday December 17 match-up at Brentwood sees the Big Cats again staging their popular pre-game coaching session with the Leopards’ players, with further details available at www.leopardsbasketball.co.uk or by calling 07828 470015.