DERBY Trailblazers have another double-header this weekend, with the chance to consolidate their place at the top of EBL Division One.
They are at home to Hemel Storm, who they beat on the opening day of the season, on Saturday night and travel to Bradford Dragons on Sunday looking to avenge a defeat in the National Trophy pool stages.
Assistant coach Steve Baxter is calling on the players to reproduce the intense defence which helped them to an 84-75 win over Tees Valley Mohawks last weekend.
"As always in a double-header, our primary focus will be the first game of the pair," said Baxter.
"Hemel are unbeaten away from home in the league, so we know they're a side who travel well.
"But we are unbeaten at home in the league, so something has to give.
"For the most part against Tees Valley last weekend, we played much better defensively than we had been doing recently.
"That intensity on defence allowed us to get out on the break more and we executed pretty well going forwards.
"We are still a distance away from where we want to be defensively but the guys are working hard in practice to try and make that happen.
"Hemel have a big and strong starting five made up of some very experienced players, so we need to play smart, intense basketball, regardless of who we're matching up against."
Twenty-five points from Alex Dorr and 16 from Dan Watts helped Derby to a 78-69 away win over Hemel last time.
On Sunday, the Blazers face a Dragons side who inflicted their first defeat of the season last month, 88-83 in the trophy, despite 19 debut points by Raheem May-Thompson.
Despite that success, Bradford are bottom of the Division One table.
"The Dragons definitely got the better of us in that tie," said Baxter.
"We need to be much better focussed for Sunday because I know their coach always has his players pumped up and ready to play.
"They have already lost five league games but four of them have been by single digits, so that shows just how competitive they are.
"If we can come out of the weekend with two more wins, we will be delighted.
"We're a third of the way through the season now and pleased but not content with our start. Last week we showed flashes of some really good, team basketball. We are improving and, hopefully, that will continue this weekend."
Saturday's game is a 7.15pm tip at Noel-Baker School, after which supporters are invited to join the team at The Lodge pub, Grange Road, Alvaston for post-match hospitality.
Sunday's is a 4.15pm tip at Trinity Green Sports Hall, Bradford College, Trinity Road, Bradford, BD5 0JE.
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