By Keith Firmin (@keithfirmin)

It was an exciting 2011/12 season that we wave goodbye to but here at www.leicesterriders.co.uk, we had one last chat to some of the players who made the season what it was.

In the first of a two-part catch-up with the players, we speak to the crew about their team-mates, their coach, what they're up to in the summer and what their plans are for next season.

The guys on...

...team-mates:

Ayron: “The best thing about playing with this team is the family like atmosphere, we're so close on and off the court. It makes it easier being away from home.

“It's almost identical (to college) because we stay together, we wake up, we see each other, we go to practice come back and see each other some more so we're like brothers.”

Brett: “I've played on a lot of teams but I don't think I've ever played on a team where I genuinely like and could just see myself hanging out with every single person on a team.

“We have great guys on this team who I would consider more than just team-mates, I consider everybody a friend.”

Drew: “(The thing I'm going to miss most about this team is) just going out and competing every week. The next couple of weeks I'm not going to be doing a whole lot of competing.”

...Coach Paternostro:

Ayron: “He (Coach Paternostro) likes us to do things together, he likes us to always be around each other, he invites us over to watch basketball games or pizza sometimes and invites the team over. The family-like atmosphere made it a very easy transition.

“He's very emotional. He wants to win, he wants the best out of you so it makes it easier as a player to know that your coach has got your back on the court. He's just going to be there for you.”

Brett: “Rob (Paternostro) has been great all year. The fact that he recruited, not just talented guys but high character guys says a lot about his ability to recruit.”

Drew: “He's by far one of the most passionate coaches I've played for. He takes it extremely serious and he's one of those kind of coaches who is not just about going out and doing the X's and O's. He wants to be out on the court.

“Every shot, every great play, every assist he's with his players. He's cheering on the sidelines getting excited about and it and that's quite different to a lot of coaches. A lot of coaches just go out and coach and there's a bit of a disconnect. So that's a little bit different from most of the coaches I've played for.”

...how time will be spent during the summer:

Ayron: “I'm going to relax. I've been playing basketball for eight months, so I'm going to relax a little bit and work out and stay in shape a little bit and just get ready for next season, wherever that may be.

Brett: “Just gonna go back home, relax a little bit and go from there.”

Drew: “The next week or ten days I'll take a break, rest up and take care of any niggling injuries, then I'll start getting to the gym, doing conditioning and lifting. Then later get on the court and put all the stuff together for camps next month.

“First things first - I've got to get ready for the Olympics. People think that the players have a break until then. But those few weeks before you meet up with the National Team are probably some of the hardest weeks that you have because you're working out by yourself.”

...next season:

Ayron: “I've not had any offers.”

Brett: “I honestly haven't really given it too much thought, I've had some discussions but I'm going to take it how it goes and see what the summer brings.

“Obviously coming back and playing here is an option but nothing is set.”

Drew: “Right now, all I'm concerned about is taking a break and in all honesty that's what's on my mind. It's been a long season with a disappointing end. The last thing I'm going to be doing is rushing into thinking about what I'm going to be doing next season.”

Keith Firmin is a freelance journalist who reports for the Leicester Riders and can be contacted at: Keith@leicesterriders.co.uk