BASKETBALL: Leopards will test Towers line-up

Richard Taylor
Friday 24 September 1999 18:02 EDT
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LONDON RIVALS, the Towers and Leopards, can take their European frustrations out on each other tonight in the championship's Southern Conference game at Crystal Palace. But while the Leopards coach, Billy Mims, has directed his players to concentrate on their domestic form, the Towers are still struggling to find a settled line-up.

"More than anything we need a win. Our confidence has to be dipping," said Mims after the Leopards lost to Reykjanesbaer in the Korac Cup on Tuesday.

Ron Abegglen, the Towers' new American coach, has to juggle two line- ups, with doubts still existing over his final roster, while the Basketball League investigates whether the club has breached the salary cap.

The BBL has issued only temporary licences and if high-scoring guard Randy Duck is fit to play tonight then Abegglen may be forced to leave out another player to make way.

Duck was scheduled to test his shoulder injury today and Abegglen said: "Randy is a vital player. We need him to be fit."

After losing in midweek to Croatia Split in the Saporta Cup, the Towers face former European champions Milan at Crystal Palace on Tuesday, with an even weaker line-up. Only Americans Danny Lewis and Malcolm Leak are registered for Europe, forcing Abegglen to leave out Ray Schultz, Donnie Johnson and Duck, injured or not.

Newcastle Eagles' new American player, Charles Smith, is doubtful for tonight's game against Birmingham at the NEC after tearing a bicep in training.

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