Basketball: Fury full of firepower as they seek to topple Kings

New-look Falkirk Fury come to town tonight (tip-off 8pm) to pose a new threat to champions Edinburgh Kings in the first clash of the season between the two giants of the basketball league at Portobello High School.

With the departure to the United States of their two teenage stars Andy Fraser and Jonny Bunyan, Fury have brought in two proven players as replacements, American David Foster, a point guard with NCAA division two experience, and Greg Foussas, a Greek who has played semi-pro ball in his home country.

But it is a former Kings junior Roni Gordon who will pose the biggest threat for the 6ft 10in Scottish international centre has hit top form in the last two weeks, scoring a near-career best 37 points in last weekend's 97-94 overtime win over St Mirren.

Foster was close behind with 36 and is giving Fury a very effective inside-outside option as he hits three-pointers as well as driving and passing well.

With Foussas, former Scottish three-point ace Keith Bunyan and re-signed Richard Thorpe all capable of hitting the threes, Fury have a variety of offensive options.

"This is as a strong a team as Fury have had for a number of years and will clearly present us with some problems," commmented Kings coach Danny Costello. "We'll have to be at our very best to take the points and it's important that we do given that we only meet twice in the league this season and we need to use our home advantage."

Costello hopes to have all his absent stars back including Paddy Campbell and Edgars Rekis and with Simon Flockhart likely to have his hands full marking fellow centre Gordon, Rekis could be a vital factor for Kings who had an unexpected bonus from another Latvian Martins Bremze who scored 17 points against Troon last Saturday.

Lee Reilly was another key player for Kings who played so well against East Lothian Peregrines yet have slipped off the pace in the last two weeks.

Peregrines meanwhile are also at home tonight to Troon at Musselburgh (8pm) in a game which could be equally entertaining while Stirling Knights will look to continue their winning run at home to Glasgow Storm.

The fourth match of a busy Friday features St Mirren at home to Glasgow University, with the odds on Saints if they play as well as they did away to Fury last weekend.

• Edinburgh Kings have an extra match when they play a German side TuS Petersfehn tomorrow at 5pm as part of a Charity basketball day in memory of Arron Arkoful and organised by former Kings and Peregrines player Sean Hume.