Stealers shooting

for success

Staffs Stealers shootingguard Luke Hatfield haswarned the rest of theleague to watch theirbacks this season, after astrong recruitment to theuniversity outfit duringthe summer pre-season.

Staffs stealers finished sec-ond from bottom last termafter a season dogged with in-juries, coaching problems andpoor performances but Hat-field says that the tables haveturned and is aiming higherthan ever this season. Hatfieldsaid:

“Last season wasnt thegreatest for us by a long shot,with all the problems with in-juries and the well docu-mented coaching problems,but this season is going to bedifferent.”

Hatfield was one of the Steal-

ers stand out players last season,

winning the teams shooter of the

year award as a rookie and was

one of the teams few shining

lights in an otherwise poor sea-

son. When asked about the

coaching situation last year Luke

had this to say:

“I think we all know what hap-

pened last season with the coach,

it was hard to deal with, being

pulled from the biggest part of

my game and being forced to

drive to the basket time after time

when i could have easily made

twice as many points from shots,

it was a bad situation for me and

obviously it affected our per-

formances, if you feel scared to

shoot like a lot of us did last year

your not going to take them

shots, because otherwise your sit-

ting on that bench for the rest of

the game. I think thats one of the

main reasons for our poor per-

formance last year.”

But now the team is looking

forward, after bringing in a new

coach but also drafting in some

strong talent from the freshers

fair, suddenly Staffs are looking

like strong promotion candidates

this term.

“We’re eager to prove our

doubters wrong, especially after

last year. And i think we’ve got a

great shot this time, bringing in

players who can really run the of-

fense and make shots, like Em-

manuel, Dan (Gardner) and

Latir.”

The preseason success has not

gone unnoticed either, suddenly

a team that finished second from

bottom in their league last year

are being touted as favourites

next to BCU and Varsity is look-

ing more and more winnable this

time round.

“Im looking forward to the

league games like everyone else,

but Varsity is my biggest game

this season for me, having missed

out last year because of injury, im

dying to get onto the court and

show Keele that we’re better.”

Staffs missed out by a single

point last year and Luke had to

sit out on the sidelines and watch

as his team suffered.

“of course, you think, if i was

on court then i could have hit that

shot or i could have hit that free

throw but thats in the past and

now all im thinking about is this

season.”

Luke’s not only done work on

court but off court aswell, be-

coming the teams next commit-

tee member and strong favourite

as captain next year, and he says

its all part and parcel of the team.

“everyone wants to help their

team right? I knew i was going to

do it the moment i was told about

the committee positions, its just

my nature, i always want to help

my team in any way i can.”

Luke only hopes that this sea-

son things run alot smoother than

last year:

“Last year was just crazy, first

we started great, beating Aston

but then we went on a long losing

streak, along with all the other

problems it was a bit weird.”

“But when we saw Northamp-

ton get promoted last season, I

immediately thought to myself,

thats where i want to be next

year, and we’re going to do our

best.”

Hatfield: “We’re eager to

prove our doubters wrong,

especially after last year.”

EXCLUSIVE

Luke Hatfield

l Above Stealers player Luke Hatfield (Left) and Stealers huddle

Stealers veteran Jonny Chan-dler has echoed his team mateswords by stating that the teamare ready to go this season.

Chandler was last seasonscaptain and chairman but sawhis team drop to second frombottom in the league but he saysit wont happen again.

“We’re ready to go this timeround, last season we thoughtwe were ready, but this time wehave got a stronger squad andare looking to improve our posi-tion.”

Chandler is now in his finalyear with the Stealers and hasconfirmed he will not be com-ing back for a final stint withthe team.

“this is it for me, i wont behere next year, so its good to seepeople like Luke stepping up.and i know we have got what ittakes to go far, the competitionis going to be great and i cantwait.”

Chandler:

“Ready to go”

l Pictured above Staffs Uni Stealers (Stoke campus)

Monday, October 11 2010 Staffs Sport 3