Gary Smith knows the talent spotters will be casting their eyes over his exciting Worthing Thunder team when they run out at Wembley next Saturday from 3.30 pm.

But, a week away from their NBL Conference play-off final with table-topping Plymouth, he insisted: "I would love to keep this team together next season."

English guard Paul Mundy-Castle, American duo Vandale Thomas and Gaylon Moore and dual national Cory McGee are among the players who have caught the eye during Thunder's charge to second place in the regular season standings.

They were all at their best last Saturday as the Sussex side blitzed arch rivals Teesside 100-81 to reach their first Wembley final.

Player/coach Smith admitted: "I would have thought there were other teams who were looking at these players.

"Wembley is the big dance. Everybody who is anybody in basketball will be there watching or playing so you never know what will happen.

"But I would expect to be here next season and I would love to keep this side together."

Smith will keep the build-up low key next week. He said: "It's Wembley and a big occasion but to me it's just another ball game.

"We will practise but we will keep things fun. You cannot go overboard on preparation.

"We know what we have got to do. There are a few things on the offensive side of the game we might need to go over."

A repeat of last week's scintillating form, whch saw them overturn a six point first leg deficit and have the tie sewn up in the third quarter, should be enough to see off a Plymouth side who Thunder have beaten three times in their four meetings this season.

Mundy-Castle, the 5ft 9ins whirlwind who tops the scoring charts for the NBL, is sure the Championship is heading to Worthing.

He is determined to add to honours he won at London Leopards before a lack of court time forced him to move down a grade.

He declared: "This game has been a long time coming for me since I moved down a division. We haven't got to a final just to lose it. We want to prove we are the best team in the Conference."