Harrison is key to Lions' revival – Vince
Macaulay backs American to star next season
Coach Vince Macaulay says he will be building his new-look side around first summer signing and number one target, EJ Harrison.
The 6ft 2in American completed a switch from Guildford Heat last weekend where he led the Surrey side to BBL Trophy and Play-Off success in 2008 and third place in the Championship last term.
The 33-year-old also played a key part in the team which beat Lions six times during last season. And it was those displays that convinced Macaulay that Harrison should be his priority this summer.
"He was fantastic against us last season, but we have been looking at him for a couple of years," said the Lions coach.
"One game in particular stands from last season at Bletchley when he single-handedly turned things around and gave Heat the win.
"We'll now build the rest of the side around him and he will bring out the best in others, particuarly Eddie Morrison.
"He revels in leadership and that is exactly what we need after what happened last year."
Last season saw Harrison record averages of 16 points, four assists and four rebounds, while shooting 42 per cent off the three point line.
He led Heat in steals as well as assists last term and also played in their European campaign in the ULEB Cup against some of Europe's top teams.
A graduate from Connecticut University, Harrison also played for Teeside Mohawks and Reading Rockets before breaking into the BBL in 2007.
"In all the battles we have had with Heat in the past two seasons he has been really instrumental in closing the games out for his side," said Macaulay.
"I look forward to seeing him do that in a Lions vest."
With next season's fixtures set to be released next week and the club's top target now confirmed on the roster, the Lions coach can turn his attention to the other players he's been chasing for the last few months.
But without giving any names away, Macaulay claims he needs at least three or four newcomers to the side before the season tips-off in September.
"We'll need three or four more additions yet and I expect we will be able to announce the first one of those in the next seven days.
"I've had my eye on a few guys who will do a good job for us and now that Harrison is on board we can build the side around him.
"We can't have another season like the last and while I believed the squad of last year could have improved, I still needed to make several changes and that's what I'm doing."
>> The Lions are establishing their first dedicated dance squad for the new season.
Email kate@mklions.com to be sent an application pack, the deadline is July 5.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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