SOLENT STARS' play-off hopes were dealt a potentially fatal blow when they lost 77-74 at Essex & Herts Leopards last Sunday.

And, according to their recent American import, Larry Parker, one quality player could have made all the difference in the race for a top-eight finish in the English Basketball League Division 1.

Parker, who has been with the squad since early December, observed: "We are just one player off being a championship contender team."

After axing Nick OHarabe, Solent were hoping that Chris Bevin, an Irish-American player, might be that man.

But Bevin has suddenly left the Stars having scored a paltry 20 points in 13 matches - a huge disappointment to the club.

"On arrival he said he had joined us because we were not scoring many points," commented club captain, Mark Jackson. "The figures speak for themselves!"

Stars travel to bottom-of-the-table Kingston Wildcats tonight (Kingston College, 7.30pm).

The Wildcats, who have mustered just two league wins all season, provided Solent with their only league victory, 77-62, prior to the Christmas break.

Since then, the free-scoring Parker has joined the squad and Solent are hopeful of completing a season's double.

Next week Solent embark on a series of matches against the top clubs, starting with a trip to Reading Rockets on Thursday (Rivermede Leisure Centre, 7.45pm) and a home game against second-placed London United next Saturday (Fleming Park, 8pm).

Coach Alan Cunningham will miss the Reading game because of a one-match ban. He picked up two technical fouls in the home game against Rockets, which Solent lost 89-70.

Solent's table-topping men's second team have no game this weekend but Solent Stars' women go into today's clash with Stockport at Hamble Community Sports College (4pm) focussed on a top-four position.

If they achieve it, it would give them significant home court advantage in the first round of the National Division 1 play-offs.

"Our defence has been reasonably solid and we must continue to strive to become the best defensive team in the country," said coach Michael Ball. "However, we know we also need to improve our offensive production.

"We have the talent and in the last couple of games more players have started to take responsibility for putting the ball in the hoop."