Dragons swoop for Carnegie duo while Cielsa and latvian Trio return
Published on: 13th September 2011
Bradford Dragons have brought in the ‘Flying Dutchman’ Denis Scott and Christian Tshimankinda from arch rivals Leeds Carnegie for the new season. Both Scott, originally from Holland, and Tshimankinda have been playing national league basketball for Leeds Carnegie for several seasons and will be joining the International Brigade that is Bradford Dragons for the new EBL Division 1 season.
Scott and Tshimankinda will be aiming to establish themselves as an important part of the Dragons’ roster as the club plays in EB Division 1 for the first time in its’ history. The Dragon’s back office has been working hard all summer to recruit a squad that can take them forward next season and these two signings are a big part of the plan.
Coach Mellor is pleased to have Denis and Criss in for this season “Denis and Criss come to the game with a real hunger to win and that is something that you can’t coach into someone. On top of that they both play tough defence which is an integral part of how we approach the game. They come here looking for an opportunity to prove their abilities and that is what they will get.”
Both have been training with the team throughout the summer in preparation for the club’s historic first game in the top flight of English basketball. The first game of the season is on the 18th September against Burnley Blaze in the National Cup. Tipoff at Bradford College is 4:15pm with Adult tickets £5 and Under 16’s £2.50. For more details on the Bradford Dragons go to www.bradforddragons.co.uk or on Facebook to Bradford Dragons For The Community
Bradford Dragons are pleased to announce the re-signing of Polish star Michal Ciesla for the new season. Ciesla came to Dragons last season after numerous years playing professionally in his home country of Poland via a spell with Mansfield Giants in EB Division 2. He instantly made an impact bringing some veteran experience to the young Dragons roster. Ciesla also brought with him his deadly long range shooting which brought home more than one win for Dragons last season.
Coach Mellor is glad to have Ciesla back for Dragons “Michal is one of the veteran players on the squad and is helping the younger guys in the team develop. He also comes to the game with a desire to win and a shooting ability to match. He will be an important part of the team this year as we look to establish ourselves in EB Division 1.”
Ciesla has been spending the summer months improving his game further in preparation for the new basketball season, work that will be needed if Dragons are to make an impact in their new division.
Ciesla will be excited to be part a of Dragons’ history as they play in the highest level of English basketball for first time in the club’s history. The first game of the season is on the 18th September against Burnley Blaze in the National Cup. Tipoff at Bradford College is 4:15pm with Adult tickets £5 and Under 16’s £2.50. For more details on the Bradford Dragons go to www.bradforddragons.co.uk
LATVIAN TRIO RETURN FOR DRAGONS
Bradford Dragons are pleased to announce the re-signing of Rihards Sulcs, Daumants Pabrieza and Raimonds Pabrieza. The three Latvians played an important role in Bradford Dragons’ Division 2 championship winning season last year.
Sulcs was arguably the best small forward in the division last year, with his aggressive mindset on grabbing rebounds. Whereas Daumants Pabrieza brought a hardnosed attitude to both ends of the floor and his brother Raimonds was deadly from long range.
Dragons Assistant Coach Mark Mills is pleased to have the trio back “It is great to have these guys back for next season. They all played an important part of us being able to win the division last year and securing promotion into Division 1. They feature hugely in our plans for this coming season”
This will be the first time in the club’s history that Bradford Dragons will run out into Division 1 and as such the team has been working hard in preparation for the step up. As such all three are with team in preseason training. Dragons start their season on 18th September against Burnley in the National Cup. Tipoff is 4:15pm at Bradford College with Adults £5 and Under 16’s £2.50. For more details on the Bradford Dragons go to www.bradforddragons.co.uk
