Basketball: Flockhart was let down by man’s best friend

Simon FLOCKHART, Edinburgh Kings’ stalwart centre, is facing a race against time to be fit for the semi-final of the Scottish League Basketball Play-Offs after being accidentally bitten by his own dog.

Kings are due to play Glasgow University in the first leg of the play-offs semi-final at Glasgow a week on Saturday with the return the following weekend and the students showed by the way they disposed of Troon Tornadoes in the quarter-finals – they won both legs – that they should not be taken lightly.

“I was playing with the dog and he bit me on the right hand and wrist,” said Flockhart. “I’m hoping to be back in time to play Glasgow but it will depend on how quickly the hand heals as I had minor surgery to ensure no further damage or infection.”

Without Flockhart’s 2.09m height and defensive qualities Kings might struggle against the students though the Capital side should have two missing stars in recent weeks Lee Reilly and Edgars Rekis back as well as Audrius Ciapas who returned after his lengthy ban for the quarter-final home leg against Glasgow Storm.

Flockhart is also likely to be in coach Tom Campbell’s plans for the Scotland Select match v England Select in Birmingham on May 12 and the European C Championships in San Marino in July while Reilly should be in line for new GB Under-20 coach Canadian Dave Smart’s team for the European B Championship in Sofia, Bulgaria from July 12-22.