THEY say it's a case of who you know rather than what you know - and you won't find Westminster Warriors arguing.

The National Three South play-off winners have applied to join Division Two, and overseeing the application is the regional director for London Basketball, Steve Alexander.

That's the same Steve Alexander who founded Warriors 18 years ago and coached, cajoled and crafted the Kensal Rise-based organisation from fledgling outfit to major players.

Alexander was on the coaching staff for last week's play-off in Derby - and cast an eye over the club's application before it was posted. And for those used to a straightforward system of promotion and relegation - it doesn't always work like that in English basketball. Warriors could only finish runner-up to Brixton Topcats in the league, with only one assured of promotion.

But that isn't necessarily the end of the story, as Williams explained.

"England Basketball want the sport to develop, and those clubs that offer the best facilities, best administration and best potential can still make progress," he added.

The unspoken add-on is it also helps if you've got somebody to put a good word in for you when it matters at the end of the month when England Basketball's committee meet to decide. [25a0] IN THE same way that Westminster Warriors have applied to join Division Two - their Kensington neighbours have applied to stay where they are.

London Westside finished second bottom of National Three South and could face relegation. But coach Frank Lamptey points to the reprieve given to Brixton Topcats last year as a way of avoiding the trapdoor.He said: "Brixton finished bottom last time and now look at them - they finished as champions.

"It wouldn't help basketball in London if we were demoted."