Alfredo Ott lost his basketball shoes and most of his possessions to Hurricane Katrina.

But the hotshot new Worthing point guard is now fully equipped to try to lead his new club to a landmark BBL Trophy derby win.

Ott will be at the helm when Genesis Brighton Bears visit in the opening game of the five-team qualification group tomorrow night (8pm).

And R.Barker (Tarring) Thunder will be quietly fancying him to help cause an upset against their higher division neighbours.

The 22-year-old from New Orleans has had his fair share of drama in recent weeks.

His family and friends survived the hurricane intact but have all lost homes and belongings.

He said: "Everyone I know made it through the hurricane.

"Most of us evacuated before it struck New Orleans but my family were badly affected.

"I had to leave home without all my stuff, including my shoes.

"I had bought some new stuff but I left it behind because we thought we would be going back. I made sure I took my passport, though.

"A lot of my family members' houses didn't make it through the hurricane.

"We've been told we may be able to go back to New Orleans but it could be nine months or so."

Ott lived with his mother in the Gentilly area of New Orleans.

They took refuge with friends before moving on to Baton Rouge.

He is now resident in the more tranquil West Sussex village of Billingshurst along with big Jon Woods, Thunder's other new American star.

The pair have made a massive impression in Thunder's early season games which were going to perfection until Reading came south and won by 18 in the National Trophy last week.

Ott was among a party who watched Bears' recent win over London Towers.

He said: "Playing any team from the BBL is a challenge and we are looking forward to it. The Brighton game I saw was pretty good with the way they came back to win.

"They have added more players now and they have got a lot of big guys so the key for us is to make sure we hit our shots and get some rebounds.

"We want to win every game. Everybody does. But the main thing is to play hard every game and not have any regrets after we finish the season."

With the likes of their Americans, Steve Gayle, Steve Vear and the ever-improving former Bears centre Pat Bates, Thunder offer a threat all around the floor.

But their defence will be on guard against Steve Parillon, a former team mate.

Parillon left midway through the season and, much to Thunder's annoyance, re-surfaced at Reading Rockets soon after.

Corey Jackson was a tormentor of Thunder in his days at Teesside, though he was also in the Mohawks team mauled 100-81 at Durrington in 2002 when Thunder clinched a Wembley play-off place.

Lijah Perkins contributed 12 points to the Teesside team which beat Thunder in the EBL Trophy final at the NIA in 2003.

Bears coach Nick Nurse feels the Sussex teams are evenly matched but said: "We have high hopes in the Trophy.

"If we get through the knockout stage we know our team will progress through the year and this competition is played late. The teams that are good at the end can win it."

With no tickets being sold in advance, Thunder have repeated their advice to get to the game early.

Tickets will be on sale from 6pm priced £6 for adults, £4 for children and £14 for a family.

Bleacher seating, as used back in the BBL glory days, will be available to help boost capacity.