Worthing Thunder playmaker Daniel Hildreth admits he made the right choice by returning to Sussex.

Now he hopes the good times really start rolling for the team he plays for and the one he supports.

The former Brighton Bears skipper signed for Thunder as a part-time professional after spending last winter at BBL strugglers Derby Storm.

Now the man who played more minutes than any other Englishman in the top flight last season is enjoying life on and off the court again.

The 26-year-old point guard and his partner Helen celebrated the birth of their first son Cameron in September.

Games and practice with Thunder have fitted in well with work as a supply teacher and basketball coach. Now all that is missing is some genuine on-court success.

Thunder host Oxford Devils tonight (8pm) looking to make it two wins from three in the NBL conference and tune up for their trophy semi with Plymouth two weeks from today.

Hildreth admits his side have yet to hit top gear but said: "I am really enjoying it.

"We have got a great bunch of guys here and that makes a big difference.

"Everyone knows I would love to still be in the BBL but Nick Nurse felt I would only have limited court time if I went to the Bears and I didn't want to go further afield.

"As it is I am on a team who, with the line-up we have got, should be walking away with two of the three honours on offer.

"If we don't manage that I will be very disappointed.

"Right now we are operating at 60 per cent of our potential. I hate to say it, but part of the reason for that is complacency. When we hit 100 per cent we will be very hard to contend with.

"We have already done well against the Bears and beaten a London Towers line-up so you can see what we are capable of.

"We've got Gaylon Moore, who is without doubt the best big man in our league, and I know people have seen what Lavoris Jerry can do when we played at the Brighton Centre.

"He is explosive and brings so much energy offensively and he's also a really nice guy to be around.

"Marvin Addy, Nick O'Harabe and Damian Harris are all young and very talented. They are learning the game every time they step on court. Then there's James Brame who I have playing alongside for years."

Hildreth is also enjoying teaming up with Rany Malik, the rookie guard signed from Cougars in the summer.

He said: "Malik is willing to learn. He approaches me saying 'what about this?" or 'am I doing it right?'

"He feels he can ask me and I am happy to help. The great things is that he relieves the pressure for me because he is more than capable of doing a job coming off the bench."

Hildreth remains a Bears fan and watches them whenever possible. He said: "With the line-up and bench they have no-one in the BBL should be able to touch them. It's fantastic what they are doing and great both for the club and the area."

It might be too early to predict a Sussex double this season but, if it happened, it would complete a great year in one Worthing household.