COACH Mark Scott believes only a spirit of togetherness can keep Solent Stars' gradual improvement going in basketball's National Conference League.

After suffering a clean sweep of ten National Trophy defeats to start the season, the Eastleigh-based club have got their act together and won two out of three of their Conference games so far.

But Scott is not counting his chickens, admitting "This season will be an uphill struggle and we still have a long way to go.

"But there are encouraging signs that we're beginning to play as a team and we need to continue like that.

"Team performances gave us victories over Manchester and Hackney - but we fell apart when we played against Oxford and lost."

Solent have a tough assignment on their plate today when they make the long journey north to the mighty Teesside Mohawks (Eston Sports Academy, 7.30pm).

Mohawks are one of only two unbeaten teams in the Conference having travelled to Plymouth last week and sneaked a one-point overtime victory.

The last time Solent came face to face with their Teesside rivals was in a cliff-hanger championship play-off final at Coventry in May.

Stars lost after the second period of overtime having missed a gilt-edged chance to win the title when flamboyant American John Bynum tried a dunk instead of going for an easy lay-up.

Solent do not have a good record against Teesside and their task will be made all the tougher tonight if their leading points scorer David Butterworth is missing again through injury.

It will increase their reliance on new American signing Dominique Jones, who has averaged 15.2 points a game so far and is proving a valuable asset particularly with his rebounding.

Director Jim Rumsey said: "Guard Mark Jackson has put together a string of good performances recently and if Alan McDonald can get his outside shooting going, it could make things easier for Adam Willis and Jones to work inside the Teesside defence."

In what promises to be a tough week, Solent return to home territory next Saturday (November 30) to play the Conference's other unbeaten side, Sutton Pumas.

Tip-off is 8pm at Fleming Park.