LEOPARDS coach Robert Youngblood cannot wait for this weekend's final four as his team look to end the season by lifting the Division One play-off crown.
The Big Cats won the competition last year with victories against Leicester Warriors and Derby Trailblazers, but Youngblood is looking to win a final four competition for the first time.
Youngblood and his team will face Reading Rockets in the first semi-final at the Amaechi Centre on Saturday afternoon, with the winner playing either Team Northumbria or Worthing Thunder in the final on Sunday.
The Leopards player-coach is well aware of the task facing his team.
"We've had two weeks to prepare," he said. "I've done a lot of scouting. They're a tough team to guard inside and out.
"He may be only 17, but Luke Nelson leads their team. As he goes, they go. We need to keep him under control if we're going to win the game.
"They also have two really good inside players in Ryan Lohfink and Danny Carter.
"They complement each other and play well together, they're tough around the basket and play smart. They're well-coached and organised, we'll have our hands full and we need to stick to our game plan.
"But I'm really looking forward to it. Everyone's fit and ready to go, and we're practising every day this week.
"We'll be ready for them."
Leopards have lost out in both of their games against Division One regular champions Rockets, this season.
A poor start in the home game was erased by a stunning second-half comeback and they could have won the game with the last shot of regulation time, before losing 84-76 in overtime.
The Rockets also finished strongly when the sides met at Rivermead in January, outscoring them 28-19 in the final period to win 74-63.