Basketball: Roni Gordon looks set to stick with Falkirk for clash with Kings

WEST LINTON'S Roni Gordon is almost certain to be in the Falkirk Fury line-up against Edinburgh Kings at the Mariner Sports Centre tonight despite getting two offers to return to basketball's pro ranks in Europe.

"The deadline for European transfers is approaching fast and I've had offers from both Sicily and Belgium, but I'm staying with Falkirk for the moment," said the 27-year-old Scotland centre, who spent two seasons playing in the Italian lower leagues.

Gordon has fought back to fitness after knee surgery and looked sharper than he has been for some time in Fury's Scottish Cup semi-final win over Troon Tornadoes last month, scoring 28 points in front of the Scotland national team coach Tom Campbell.

Though Kings wrapped up their fourth Scottish League title in a row by their home victory over Troon last Saturday, their coach Danny Costello is keen not to let their momentum sag and is actually pleased that Gordon, an ex-Kings junior, will be there tonight to bolster their opponents.

"It gives us a chance to have another look at our Scottish Cup Final rivals and, having beaten them in our three league clashes this season, it would be nice to make it four-zero," said Costello.

Kings will be without Latvian star Ed Rekis, who is nursing a broken nose, and international forward Campbell Flockhart, while Scotland guard Laurie Costello is unavailable for the clash, tip-off 8pm.

That will give German guard Mike Kirkpatrick and Liam McCabe the chance of starting-five places.

Edinburgh Kool Kats are at home to Grampian Flyers tomorrow (3pm) while the cadette women play Glasgow City at 11am and the junior men meet Arbroath Musketeers at 1pm.

Helped by 22 points from Kool Kat Sarah O'Brien, Edinburgh University women scored a fine 62-50 home win over Manchester in the first of their two games to decide a three-way play-off for the Northern Premier Division for next season. Edinburgh now travel to play Nottingam Trent.