Worthing Thunder coach Gary Smith has come out fighting following his side's midweek exit from the National Cup at the hands of defending champion Leicester Riders.

Smith was far from disheartened with his team's 89-126 home defeat by the reigning BBL champions and believes Thunder have the capability to do well in the Conference this season.

He said: "We played well for three quarters against Leicester and I believe we have good ball players. We are just trying to get them to play as a team.

"If we can play well for four quarters we are going to blow opposing teams off the court."

Leicester coach, Billy Mims, who has achieved a lot with the club following his success at London Leopards, has no doubt Worthing can make an impact this season.

He said: "As far as Conference teams go, I think Worthing has got a lot of talent "Gaylon Moore is a good inside player who rebounds well and scores around the basket.

"Sean Hampton can score from anywhere. He's very athletic and is a good player all over the floor. I had Paul Mundy-Castle with me at Leopards so I feel responsible for his development and he is a good shooter from down deep."

The Worthing squad was depleted recently by the sudden walkout of small forward James Crabtree who claims he was shabbily treated by Smith during his time with the club.

Crabtree quit during the third quarter of the match at Westminster and claims he was: "averaging 20 splinters per game" because he was on the bench so long.

But Smith says every effort was made to accommodate Crabtree and it was the player's attitude that let him down.

Smith added: "Sometimes in basketball you have to stick with it. If you're not playing you never quit. If you quit, you are not applying yourself.

"He should have stayed with it, as I did during my career. I think he can be a hell of a player but it was his decision to quit".

22-year-old Crabtree, who was with the Bears at 18, says his decision to leave was down to lack of court time and he blasted: "I had to make a statement because I was getting nowhere.

"I worked hard pre-season along with James Brane and Dean Smith, but when the Americans arrived they took over."