Gary Smith wants his Worthing Thunder side to repeat the stunning displays which lit up the Brighton Centre.

The Thunder coach saw his men beat a London Towers line-up and push Bears hard in the Brighton Tournament on Sunday.

That sort of form can see them challenge for top honours in the NBL conference and Trophy.

Thunder have won their opening three games in the Trophy and, inspired by imports Lavoris Jerry and Gaylon Moore, surprised a lot of people at Brighton.

Smith said: "I was hoping we would learn a lot and put on a good show but we did more than that.

"We can take a lot of positives. For a start, we beat London Towers.

"They started with bench players but those guys still practise every day.

"I would love to see Lavoris, Gaylon and some of the others get into the BBL.

"They are good enough to do that."

Smith hopes a few of the crowd at the Brighton Centre join the 400 or so regulars for games at Durrington.

Smith said: "I want to bring in more fans and I want the championship. I want us to get to the NIA in Birmingham, my home town, and win it."

Thunder host North West London on Saturday but have to wait until the visit of Oxford on November 23 for a home game which does not clash with a Bears match.

Brighton Cougars can thank their website for the arrival of Emmanuel Laroche.

The small forward from Bordeaux was keen to play in the south of England and found Cougars on the internet.

Laroche, 26, is now playing in the NBL, coaching and working with schools as part of Cougars' community programme.