WORTHING BEARS head coach Sean Loucks wants his team to restore pride and upset the Budweiser League play-off candidates in the final month of the season.

Rock bottom Bears, who ended their disastrous club record of 30 straight defeats by beating Milton Keynes 84-77 a fortnight ago, visit the same opponents tonight before entertaining hot-shots Birmingham tomorrow.

Loucks said: "Our last seven games are all about pride. Beating teams who are going to the play-offs is something to shoot for.

"A lot of people would say we've beaten a side who are not going anywhere in Milton Keynes. It would be great to beat teams who are going for the play-offs for the pride of the club. It is a case of getting as many wins as we can from now to the end of the season."

Bears put up a battling display in being edged out 89-76 at Birmingham just before Christmas and star American Jon Gaines, who missed that match through injury, is particularly anxious to finish the season strongly.

Gaines, who played for the South in their win over the North in last weekend's All-Star match at Newcastle, admits he has not been happy with his form since returning from his ankle injury.

He said: "I've been having injuries aside from my ankle and they have been nagging me. I don't want to blame it on injuries but they have definitely taken their toll.

"Being the kind of player I am I like to set high goals, and I definitely try to play hard and better than I'm capable of."

Bears, boosted by the arrival of new assistant coach Charles Luke-Bannerman, have received another lift with Steve Nelson's decision to try and see out the season with them.

Nelson took up his new job as National Development manager for the English Basketball Association this week.

As he is based in Leeds he will be unable to make regular training sessions, but will be doing his best in difficult circumstances to commit himself on match days.

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