Basketball: Costello knee injury cause for concern

SCOTLAND'S main playmaker Laurie Costello faces a desperate race to be fit in time for next week's Euro C Basketball Championship in Malta after suffering a serious knee injury in the first of Scotland's two internationals against England at Worcester last weekend.

The Edinburgh Kings point guard was unable to drive home after the incident and feared he had cruciate ligament damage.

Costello, 28, a key member of Scotland's Commonwealth Games team, is waiting for the swelling to go down so that a proper diagnosis can be made.

"It certainly is serious and it's probably 50-50 whether he goes to Malta or not," said Costello's father Danny.

Scotland have only one other point guard in the squad of 12, Costello's clubmate, Garreth Lodge, and Scotland coach Tom Campbell was forced to call on his son Euan, his assistant coach, to help out in Worcester.

Scotland open against Denmark in Malta next Monday, play San Marino on Tuesday and Malta on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Scotland's women made amends for their heavy defeat to Malta in their opening game by beating Wales 86-41 in Yerevan, Armenia, last night.

This means they are certain to finish at least second in their group of three and face a likely play-off with hosts Armenia on Friday for a place in the final.

The Scots were led by Emma Findlay (Edinburgh Kool Kats) with 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.