WOLVES head coach Paul James has urged his side to go all-out attack when they take on Sheffield Sharks in the second-leg of their BBL Cup semi-final on Wednesday (tip-off 7.30pm).
Wolves head into the clash at the English Institute of Sport edging a ten-point advantage, after picking up a 102-92 first-leg victory at the University of Worcester Arena two weeks ago.
But James has refused to set his side up to protect the lead and has called on his wolfpack to hold nothing back as they go in search of place in the final against Cheshire Phoenix, at Arena Birmingham in January.
“We’re going up there to win,” said James.
“If we start thinking about hanging on to a lead we could lose the tie altogether.
“London gave up a 13-point first-leg lead in their semi-final against Cheshire, so there’s no way we want to fall into the same position,” he added.
Worcester head into Wednesday’s semi-final second-leg off the back of a resounding 122–66 victory over British Basketball League basement side Leeds Force, at the University of Worcester Arena on Friday night.
Trayvon Palmer was lively in the opening quarter, converting a behind-the-back assist from Brandon Parrish for the first of six early baskets.
Parrish’s confidence continued when he was able to beat everyone to the rebound of his own missed long-range shot to finalise a 36-20 first quarter advantage.
George Beamon then held the spotlight as he rattled in six second period scores, whilst guards Ashton Khan and Elvisi Dusha took turns to sink three-pointers.
Multiple Leeds turnovers were converted into easy breakaway dunks as the hosts built on their commanding 73-36 interval lead.
A basket for Robert Gilchrist brought up a 100-50 scoreline before the third period had expired, before bench players Dominic Ives, Zach Noble and Demi Ogunbona were given useful court time as Wolves sauntered through the final quarter.
Beamon led the Wolves scorers with 25 points, followed by Palmer and Dusha with 18 points apiece.
James added: “We carried on the style of basketball that has been working for us. Leeds are not the force they were, but it was important that we did not play down to their level.”