Barrs rise from ashes for new side Boroughmuir Blaze

Former Capital aces Boroughmuir, who as Boroughmuir Barrs were the leading basketball team of the 1970s not just in Scotland but in the UK, have re-entered the Scottish National League after a five-year gap under their new title Boroughmuir Blaze.

Replacing East Lothian Peregrines in the ten-team senior men’s division, they will go right in at the deep end, opening the new season by playing their first game against St Mirren at Paisley’s Lagoon Centre tonight at 8.15pm.

Nine times the Scottish champions, including six times in a row from 1972 when founder-secretary, now GB chairman, Bill McInnes was at the height of his playing powers, ‘Muir played a fast, entertaining brand of hoops which they hope will still be their hallmark, particularly as their roster does not have a lot of height. “We’re quite small in the big positions,” admitted coach Simon Turner, whose only centre is his assistant coach, Ex-Edinburgh Kings’ Aussie Lee “Chopper” Pettett.

“But we’re big in the small positions,” points out Turner, who has been delighted to pick up several experienced Scottish caps from other clubs, notably Laurie Costello and Kevin Anderson from Kings and ex-Scottish Rocks guard Michael McGregor from Peregrines. “The shake-up in the local clubs has been perfect timing for us, giving us the perfect mixture of experience and younger players,” he added.

Champions Edinburgh Kings, with Doug Reilly replacing Danny Costello as head coach, have brought in last season’s club and Scotland junior captain Niall Mackle before he departs for Aberdeen University as they face Stirling Knights at the early hour of 11.15am at Portobello HS tomorrow.