Basketball: Costello cautious as Kings host Storm in cup campaign

EDINBURGH KINGS switch their focus to the Scottish basketball cup tomorrow when they host another national league side, Glasgow Storm, in the quarter-finals at Portobello High School (3pm), writes SANDY SUTHERLAND.

Thanks to some decisive wins in recent league encounters Kings have long banished the thought that Storm are their bogey team, but the fact remains that the West outfit can be tricky opponents, especially if they hit some early shots.

"It all depends which Storm turns up," says Kings coach Danny Costello. "They have some players who can shoot the lights out so we have to be on our guard against any complacency."

Kings starting point guard Garreth Lodge and Storm guard Kevin Scott certainly need no introduction as they are teammates for the Stirling University side who have just won the Scottish Universities title.

Storm centre Martin Walmsley has been pushing for a place in the national team and should give home stalwart Simon Flockhart, the man in possession of the national starting five centre slot, a useful workout while Kings deputy centre Liam McCabe has the chance to impress also.

Edgars Rekis, Latvian hero of the victory over Fury, and vet student Mike Kirkpatrick should give Kings plenty of firepower should they need it.

The only other Capital side left in the Cup, non-national league club Pleasance, face a daunting trip to the Mariner Centre tonight to play Falkirk Fury in another quarter-final.

Edinburgh Kool Kats travel to Cumbernauld tomorrow for their women's quarter-final against St Maurice's Rocks while Kings juniors are also away to St Mirren in the Boris Szifris Under-18 Cup.

Polonia Phoenix will be favourites to reach the women's semi-finals at the expense of non-league Highland Bears at Wester Hailes tomorrow (2.45pm).