Top four finish the target for Thunder

Thunder begin their league season at home to Westminster Warriors on Saturday, after making a bright start to the campaign in cup competitions.

Worthing sealed a top-two finish in Pool 2 of the National Trophy, with one win and one defeat at the weekend, to set up a home tie in the quarter-finals. And they are also through to the third round of the National Cup.

Hildreth said: “A top four finish is the target as then you’re only one home game away from the Final Fours.

“Every team will start the season wanting to win silverware and will be looking to win the league. First of all, we want to make sure we get into the play-offs and then to get into the top four is our target to get the home court advantage.”

Hildreth believes his side are in better shape now than they have been at the start of the past two seasons and said: “The big advantage this season is that we’ve had our two imports here during pre-season.

“Last season, Terrell (Bell) only joined at the end of January and Rory (Spencer) came back after the first few games. For continuity and cohesion, we’re in a much better place than we have been in previous years and I’m very excited about the season.”

Hildreth is also hoping for a strong start in the league and said: “In my previous two years, our records have been 0-10 and 2-8 at Christmas.

“We want to go into the Christmas break with a plus in the win-loss column. Every game is going to be important and it will be good to get some early wins under our belt to get the confidence going.

“This side has a lot of potential and we’ve already started the season well, with a good run in both the National Trophy and the National Cup.”

Thunder have won all five of their home games so far and Hildreth said: “We want to protect our home court. It’s the best facility to play in the league, with the crowd and the entertainment, so we’ll always look to go out and put on a show every game.”

Thunder’s match with Westminster on Saturday tips-off at 7.30pm at Worthing Leisure Centre.