Lightning roster to repeat

By Jonathon Brodie/London Community News / Twitter: @jonathonbrodie London Lightning general manager Taylor Brown instructed head coach Micheal Ray Richardson to not guarantee a repeat of the National Basketball League of Canada championship during the public unveiling of this year’s team at Covent Garden Market on Wednesday (Oct. 24). The Lightning’s bench boss couldn’t keep his promise, though. “I know Taylor doesn’t want me to guarantee it, but be ready to buy another ring because we’re going to win the championship,” Richardson said to a crowd of about 50 people who roared at the coach’s assurance. Of the 24 players brought to the London training camp, the Lightning cut the roster down to 13. Returning to the team is NBL-C MVP Gabe Freeman, all-star DeAnthony Bowden, 2012 slam dunk champion Jamar Abrams, second-team all-star Tim Ellis and veteran Rodney Buford. This year the league upped the ante on Canadian products by demanding a minimum of three players on each team from two men. This year’s red and white talent wearing the black and yellow are guards Joshua Whyte, Tyler Murray and Dane Smith. Newcomers to the team include the 6-foot-8, 294-pound centre DeAndre Thomas, guard Adrian Moss and forwards Elvin Mims, all-star Morgan Lewis, Jeremy Williams. “We got great, great athletes, guys who can run the floor and we’ll be pushing the ball up. We’re looking to average between 115 to 125 points a game,” Richardson said of a Lightning team that averaged 102 points a game last year to finish third in the league in scoring, while sitting at the top in defence by giving up about 95 points a game. “Defence wins championships.”   Click on head shot for information on player [gallery link="file"]   G- Joshua Whyte- not pictured Canadian 6-foot-3 Born 1987 College- University of B.C. -2012 CIS Player of the Year   Find us on Facebook: London Community News