Basketball: Kings crush Phoenix in Scots Cup

EDINBURGH Kings shook off their big-freeze lethargy to pummel Perth Phoenix 108-31 in their Scottish Cup first round basketball clash at Portobello High School.

With two of the team working late, Kings only had five players available at the start of the tie and, after seven turgid minutes, they led only 7-2, but then they clicked into gear and by the time that, first, Paddy Campbell and then Lee Reilly had arrived, the team was purring again.

Big centre Simon Flockhart ran the floor impressively, top-scoring with 27 points, and behind him there was an encouraging points spread with Garreth Lodge adding 18, Craig Reilly and Paddy Campbell 17 each, Mike Kirkpatrick 15, Lee Reilly eight and Lee Pettett six, including a much-acclaimed three-pointer.

Perth's efforts to fulfil the tie were much appreciated by Kings coach Danny Costello: "We needed that before our game against Storm on Saturday and I can't praise Perth highly enough for the positive way they played despite knowing they were in a for a bit of a beating."

But there was frustration for Kings' sister team Edinburgh Kool Kats, who were forced to call off their senior women's home game against St Mirren at Portobello last night because the Paisley side did not want to travel in the current weather conditions.

Kool Kats' Scottish Chairman's cup tie against Portlethen Tigers at Portobello later today was also called off.

Kings' home senior men's game against Glasgow Storm (3.00pm) and junior (11.00am) and cadet (1.00pm) men's games against Falkirk Fury at Portobello HS all appeared to be safe.