Nick Nurse has had a first real look at one of Sussex's brightest young talents.

His verdict? Pat Bates, the 6ft 9ins centre from Worthing, is worth keeping a very close eye on.

Bates, who plays high school basketball for Belmont Abbey in North Carolina, was perhaps the greatest success story from South Coast's defeat by Hackney in their first Hosana Pro-Am League clash in midweek.

Defeat ended South Coast hopes of a play-off spot but the Hosana event is not just about results.

It also about scouting young talent and Nurse, the Brighton Bears chief, did just that as he watched Bates and Birmingham-based Les Hartnell do their stuff.

Nurse said: "It was my first real look at Pat. He is a good young, big kid and he did a nice job.

"He can put the ball in the basket and he plays with some confidence. He will be going back to Belmont Abbey for the winter and that is a good programme over there.

"I thought Les was very good too. Both of them showed good fundamental skills and that is very encouraging. They could certainly help us some time down the road."

Nurse said his former Bears point guard Mark Jackson had a decent game but was less than impressed with other aspects of the team's performance.

He felt trialists Aaron Lovelace and Christian Nkamhoua looked rusty, which explains his desire to see them again this coming Wednesday with another game under their belts.

South Coast take on London United at Crystal Palace (8pm) in the final group game.