SCHNEIDER: HEAT GUNNING FOR TITLE

Guildford Heat point guard David Schneider has laid down the gauntlet to Mersey Tigers, insisting his side are targeting the BBL title.

The American has quickly adjusted to his role at the Surrey outfit since arriving in the summer out of William & Mary, making the transition from a scoring playmaker to a pass-first player.

The 23-year-old, from Ohio, has already helped guide the Heat into March’s BBL Trophy final with Creon Raftopoulos’s side also well-positioned in the league.

And Schneider says they are hungry to challenge for silverware – the championship included.

“Now the Trophy is within reach, we want it,” he said. “And to bring it back to Guildford would be special.

“I think the league championship is feasible. They are two realistic goals for us. If we keep playing well, and avoid injuries, they are two achievable aims.”

Schneider, who led his college into the NIT last season, has won praise from  Raftopoulos for his floor leadership in his first professional season. Much of the credit for that, the rookie says, is due to the Heat’s old hands.

“On the court, it’s different to college,” Schneider told the BBL’s website. “It’s a lot faster and the refereeing is certainly different. But we’ve got a lot of experience in our team to help me.

“Having Dean Williams to work with has really helped. And guys like Julius Joseph and Mike Martin, who’ve been here, is a massive help. They make my job as a point guard much easier.”