It’s amazing what we’ve achieved (From Worcester News)

It’s amazing what we’ve achieved

10:30am Tuesday 20th December 2011 in News By Steve Carley, @stevecarleyWN #WENsport

MAIN MAN: Tommy Freeman, right, scored 33 points as Wolves beat leaders Newcastle.

WORCESTER Wolves are riding high in the British Basketball League and realising the dream of their co-founders Roger Clarke and Mick Donovan.

Twelves years ago, Wolves were a fledgling club starting out on the bottom rung of the basketball ladder.

Now they have one of the best teams in the country and are currently sitting second in the BBL following a phenomenal few days.

Last Friday, they toppled leaders and four-time champions Newcastle Eagles 94-86 on the Tynesiders’ own court, with Tommy Freeman scoring 33 points, before returning to the University of Worcester 24 hours later to thrash third-placed Glasgow Rocks 87-65.

That double also saw director of basketball Paul James’ men briefly share top spot with Newcastle before the Eagles beat Guildford Heat 83-73 on Sunday to open up a two-point gap.

It is progress of fairytale proportions and Donovan, who formed the club with chairman Clarke in 2000, is delighted, hailing it as a team effort.

He said: “For 12 years we have had some dedicated people who have really worked hard to improve the club at different stages. It’s been a really good progression.

“We have had some tough times but it’s been that hardcore of people who have helped to get it to this stage.

“We started off in English Basketball League Division Four. We tried to queue jump and get into Division Two but we were told we couldn’t and had to work our way up.

“In 10 years we said we wanted to be in the BBL but we got there in seven.

“We knew it would take us time to adjust because some clubs have a lot of funding, but it’s amazing what we have achieved.

“It’s been a real success story and it’s been built around people who care about the sport and club rather than looking for quick fixes.”

Donovan added: “We had good foundations but Paul James, who I consider to be the best coach in the country, has had a fantastic impact to raise the bar even higher.

“He’s created a culture where it’s not a team of individuals, everybody works as a unit.

“To go to Newcastle and win when they were unbeaten all season and play really well the next night as well just shows how well the team has done with Paul.”

Wolves, who have developed a thriving community programme alongside their BBL triumphs, also put much of their success down to pioneering links with the University of Worcester.

Donovan said: “Roger Clarke has always believed in what we are trying to do and he has bought into the study and play philosophy.

“Some of the players are on scholarships and some are professional and all the major clubs in the BBL are now adopting this policy.”