The Ryukyu Golden Kings are still nearly two weeks away from putting a basketball on the hardwood to defend their Basketball Japan League championship, but already they’re doing the math on how to make it two in a row.

The Okinawa pro basketball squad is doing public workouts now, introducing a new head coach, Koto Tohyama, as well as the newest team member, Terrance Woodbury. Woodbury and Yosuke Sugawara, who was a Golden Kings team member when the Golden Kings earned their first title in 2009.

“We’re planning to play and show more entertainment with our basketball than ever before. Look for us to be passionate, energetic and spirited!” says Tohyama. “Both players and staff will try to play with active feelings for the boosters, who will be impressed with that style of play.” The new head coach says he’s no doubt the team’s locking onto the style, but adds “I think they can do more, and have more potential.”

The first matches of the 2012-2013 season for the Golden Kings are against the Kyoto Hannaryz on October 6th and 7th in Kyoto. The first home games in Okinawa pit the Kings against the Shiga Lake Stars on October 27th and 28th.

Before that, though, Okinawa will play a pair of pre-season games against the Akita Northern Happinets at the Okinawa Convention Center on September 18th and 19th with tip off at 7:30 p.m. on both days. The team also plays a pre-season game against Anyang Korea Ginseng Corporation on September 29th and 30th at the Okinawa Convention Center. The tip off in that match is at 1 p.m. both days.

• 
• NO DATA