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Magic melt Icebergs
Manchester Magic 99 Hull Icebergs 94
Both teams desperately needed to win this Trophy pool game and a struggling Magic team just managed to do so after a disjointed game, during which the home team rarely looked well-organised enough to exert its superiority. The first quarter was a scrappy affair, with the lead changing hands and both sides making mistakes, ending with the Icebergs leading 23-22. After the break, Manchester built up a 9 point lead, which was reduced to 2 by the half. Mostly it had been individual effort from the Magic players rather than a team effort.
It said something for the excitement of the play, or lack of it, in the first half, that the youngsters’ half-time shooting contest produced more reaction from the crowd than the game had done. To be fair, the youngsters had shot well. The third quarter was another close one, ending with a nice 2 and 1 from Kevin St. Kitts in the dying seconds to give the hosts a somewhat flattering 72-62 lead going into the last period of play.
Suddenly Jeff Jones' men looked in control, with Sean McKie, having to step up after an early injury to Iain Goodwin, playing one of his best games since he joined the club, showing his skills to the full, and Wayne Mulgrave and St. Kitts - who would score a game-best 25 points - showing their experience and guile. After 5 minutes, the Magic had what looked like a winning lead of 85-72, but it almost disappeared as the Hull team made an heroic fightback, with Kevin Penny showing his old skills are still intact. It looked like a game that Hull might not win, but what the Magic might lose. After a very anxious last minute, they finally ran out winners 99-94. Supporters consoled themselves with the old adages about all wins being good ones and it takes a good team to play badly and win On a night when some players were somewhat anonymous, Adam Slater stood out with an excellent performance in his second game of the day.
Inter-Basket 61 Ealing Tornadoes 63
A controversial no-call 20 seconds from the end gave Ealing Tornadoes the narrowest 61-63 edge in this Southern Pool game at the Space Centre over Inter-Basket.
Scoring was restricted throughout the match as both sides defensive intensity led the way. The zone of Ealing kept Inter away from the basket and although the home side led briefly at 9-8 midway through the first quarter, the West Londoners held the upper hand throughout although a late 3-pointer from Inter captain Andrew Bailey kept his sides deficit to 16-18 at the end of the period.
The second quarter was largely the same, Ealing leading by as many as eight with Anton Fraser and Pierre Henry-Fontain finding their range. However Ben Smart and Perry Lawson replied for Inter and at the half the visitors led by 32-29.
The third stanza saw Ryan Cadogan show his pedigree scoring eight of his sides first ten points as the lead stretched again to seven at 42-35 after six minutes. But Inter would not be denied and a 7-0 run took the game back to one point. Two fouls shots from Cadogan and a 3-pointer from Tom Hull restored Ealing's advantage before a Lawson score at the end of the quarter made it a four point game with one period remaining.
Inter was quickest out of the blocks and an 8-2 run saw them with a 55-53 lead, on the back of 3-pointers from Franck Batimba and Bailey. Ealing came back with seven unanswered, Hull with another big three, before a James Miller three and a Bailey foul shot brought it back to a one point game.
Neither side could find the basket with just one Cadogan foul shot the only score in the last two minutes. With 20 seconds remaining Bailey appeared to take a charge from an Ealing player but the officials declined to give a call and the visitors were able to keep the ball and the closest of victories.
NW London (22) 50 - Coventry (38) 99
The Crusaders, leaving for just another game this weekend, were able to store this one up in their memory bank for a couple of reasons. The early tip off time of 3:30 may have caught one of the referees totally unaware, and the two teams lined up at tip off time were told the game would be indefinitely delayed until the official arrived. The game, therefore, started 50 minutes late.
The delay played into Crusaders hands, to some extent, as Chris Harper and Steve Borde, both based in Cardiff and playing for the Crusaders, were stuck in the 17 mile tailback of traffic on the M4 created by the hostage drama unfolding there. They arrived just a few scant minutes before the delayed game began.
The second reason for this being a memorable game was because of the extreme difference in score lines between the two sides. The Coventry & Warwickshire BUPA Crusaders showed why defence is the key to winning games. The Crusaders used a combination of defences to squash the young NW London Wolverines team 99 - 50. The 49 point victory is in line for a record breaking result for the Crusaders history books.
Seven of the nine players that Dip Donaldson played scored in double figues and that could be a first as far a Crusaders records go. NW London was forced into poor shooting positions and that allowed the Crusaders to fast break against them.
The Crusaders have taken another step to winning the pool. But 'Dip' Donaldson is not counting his chickens before they hatch. "We are still on pace toward our goals, but we need to keep taking one step at a time, and my job is to keep the team ready every week and not let us get complacent," said Donaldson.
"The Crusaders used many different defensive looks in order to control the game and keep the advantage. The players on the team are starting to understand each other's strengths and weaknesses, that is why we are starting to look better each game," continued Donaldson. "Each player has a role to play and the players are starting to remove selfish goals from their perspective and replace personal goals for team goals."
"The players still need to be reminded of why we are here, and they are understanding what it takes to be a true winner. That is the best part to watch as we learn to come together and win at the same time," said
Donaldson.The Crusaders gave the NW London Wolverines a lot of different match-up problems as Donaldson kept using his substitutes to keep the pressure on and fresh players on the floor, along with keeping a great team balance.
"Chris Harper did not play for the second week in a row because of a back problem. I need to make sure Chris Harper is 100% fit before letting him play and hurting him and the team long term. I need to look at the bright side. Harper is out, we are still winning, other players get a lot more playing time and the chance to take on some responsibilities that are normally covered by Harper," said Donaldson.
The Crusaders are now getting ready for a big promotional game at the Skydome this Saturday 27th 7.30pm tip-off against Reading Rockets in the National Trophy. This week's training will be a build up in preparation for Reading. "We will need to play very well in order to handle them. They are a good team and are well prepared, but our team must keep focused on the big picture of our goals," said Donaldson.
Cardiff Clippers 90 Reading Rockets 95
Reading toughed out a really hard fought victory despite having five first team players out through injury or unavailability and two players only arriving half way through the game after traffic delays. The Cardiff total was somewhat flattering as they were helped in no small measure by a series of quite incredible refereeing decisions. Head Coach Dave Titmuss was relieved "Our top five players had to work really hard throughout and their cause was not helped by some dubious calls".
Rockets opening line up of Smith, Cooper, Hodds, Eames and Bristol started very brightly with some lighteningly quick passing moves for Bristol and Cooper to open the Rockets scoring. Cardiff notorious for
their long range shooting only managed two shots in the first three minutes but scored three with both to leave them only 8-6 down when they took their first time out. Rockets piled on the pressure on the
resumption and extended their lead to 19-12 before taking their first time out. Cardiff created a shooting opportunity for a three which went in but the referee called a foul against Ted Smith despite the fact that
there was absolutely no contact with the player or the ball and Cardiff gratefully accepted the four point play.
Rockets Pem Bristol who had an excellent game, fumbled the ball under the Cardiff basket in a momentary
lapse and they broke quickly to score two and draw the foul. Moments before the end of the first quarter the Cardiff defense under intense pressure were forced into a back court violation, in full view of the referees, but nothing was given. Coach Titmuss was incensed by this and voiced his opinion to the officials who rewarded him with a technical foul. Incredibly Cardiff had cut their deficit to just one point at the end of the first quarter to 29-28.Ted Smith scored an amazing two points at the beginning of the second quarter from on the floor to the basket in one movement and Cooper scored a lay up at speed after a long pass from Smith, and Smith again drove to the basket strongly to score two and draw the foul as Rockets opened up their lead to 38-33. Cardiff continued to shoot brilliantly, more so as the Rockets starting five tired a little and with five minutes remaining drew level at 41 each. The quarter continued with an exchange of baskets until Cooper gave Rockets a two point advantage going into half time at 53-51. Fortunately for Rockets Ian Durrant and Jon Goode finally arrived to give Coach Titmuss the option to make changes during the rest of the game.
The third quarter started well for Cardiff as they immediately leveled the scores at 53 each. Rockets faltered slightly allowing Cardiff to take the lead for the first time in the game at 59-57 but the class of Cooper and strength of Hodds restored the Rockets lead which they maintained throughout the quarter ending at 74-71.
Neither team scored on their first possession in the final quarter but Rockets Damon Cooper broke the deadlock as he speeded to the basket for two. Some more baffling refereeing allowed Cardiff the opportunity to score a three and gain possession as Ian Durrant was penalised for a charging foul which it clearly was not. Cardiff leveled at 76 each and the referee again called a foul against Ted Smith as a Cardiff player
sank a three pointer and as in the first quarter no contact was made with either player or ball. Cardiff again gratefully accepted the four point play. Rockets strength, determination, resolve and team spirit always come to the fore when they are under pressure and again through Smith and Cooper Rockets regained the lead at 82-81 with five minutes remaining. Smith drove to the basket and was blatantly fouled but Cardiff escaped being penalised. At 89-85 in Rockets favour with barely two minutes remaining Cardiff were given a technical foul against them for something one of their players said to the referee and Cooper scored one from two from the line at which point Cardiff took a time out. Cardiff scored immediately on the re-start but Cooper replied after a great Rockets passing move. Matt Eames uncharacteristically missed two from the line and Cardiff scored a three to go 93-90 behind with fourteen seconds on the clock and Rockets possession. Cooper made sure he had possession and when the inevitable Cardiff foul came he converted two of two from the line to seal Rockets victory.Reading Owner Gary Johnson was delighted after the game "This was very tough for us given our depleted squad but we really showed great character to take the win".
Solent 91 North London 86
In contrast to recent games the match flowed without many foul calls and with neither coach calling a time-out, half time was reached in under 30 minutes. John Bynum was considered not fit enough by coach
Mark Scott to play in the game. Only two fouls were called in the opening quarter as the two sides exchanged the lead several times and both scored outside shots at regular intervals. Alan Cunningham was instrumental in keeping Solent up with the scoring rate and his personal contest with North London's Darryl Reshaw was a feature of the second quarter After a couple of unforced turnovers by Solent, it took a three pointer from Eric Cheers to keep the home team in touch just when North London seemed to be forging ahead. In general, North London were allowed to dictate the pace of the game in what was a lacklustre performance from Solent.The introduction of Dimitry La Croix at the start of the second half was instrumental in Solent pulling back their six point half time deficit (40 - 46) within the first two minutes. After an initial basket from Cunningham, La Croix hustled the North London defence and also scored six points into the bargain to put Solent into an early second half lead. North London were able to regain the initiative mainly through the scoring of Ian Burrell and led from the third minute of the quarter to end 62 - 65 ahead.
It was the turn of Solent's Nick OHarabe to end his run of unsuccessful shots and score eight points in the last quarter and take several important rebounds to put Solent briefly in the lead by the third minute. Once again North London responded and drew level (74 - 74). An Alan Cunningham three pointer gave Solent a brief cushion, but it was Trevor Donaldson's three pointer with two minutes left that finally nailed the North London coffin as they rapidly tired after going behind 85 - 83. North London were only able to manage one more three pointer in the time that Alan Cunningham went to the free throw line for four successful free throws.
Mansfield Express 49 Derbyshire Arrows 101
The Derbyshire Arrows re affirmed their superiority over their local rivals the Mansfield Express by completing a comprehensive 49 – 101 road victory.
The Arrows started slowly missing Shawn King & Eamon Kelly from their normal line up & found themselves trailing 11–8 before baskets from Ellmer, a Bevington “dunk” & Marsh saw the Arrows close the quarter with a 21–13 advantage. The second quarter saw the Arrows hit offensive gear, a “4 point play” from Davidson, together with baskets from David Waite saw the Arrows reach the interval 54 – 33 ahead.
After the interval the Arrows moved effortly away from the Express as the combination of impressive offense & aggressive defense proved too much for the over powered home side. The Arrows with Gayle & Tilly Hackett impressive & the former Express star Richard Marsh leading all scorers went on to outscore their opponents 47 – 16 as the Arrows passed a 100 points for the second time this season against their local rivals. This victory keeps the Arrows well in contention in the pool & sets up, this weekends home games against Conference opponents Sutton & Kingston.
Worcester Wolves 82 Teesside Mohawks 119
Another big victory, this time a 82-119 success against Worcester Wolves, maintains Tees Valley Leisure Mohawks’ position as the only unbeaten side in any of the four National Trophy pools with a record of five from five and guarantees the club a place in the quarter finals with three games still to play.
And with the remaining fixtures all at Eston Sports Academy (Starting with the return against Worcester on Sunday at 3 pm), the club looks odds-on to repeat last season’s feat of going through the pool stages of the competition unbeaten.
Wolves were despatched with ease and were given the soft treatment by head coach Tony Hanson, despite his own side making an unconvincing start to the game. Traffic problems saw the team only arrive at the venue at tip off time , which forced the start to be delayed by 30 minutes and seemed to have put some players, not unexpectedly, in the wrong frame of mind for much of the first half.
Corey Jackson who, it was suggested, might be surplus to the club’s requirements on court, was a late change to the squad as a replacement for EJ Harrison, who was rested as a precaution after tweaking an ankle during the cup game against Newcastle.
The home side, spurred on by a remarkably good and vocal crowd, got off to a good start as player/coach Rick Solvason, who went on to top score with 35, sank the first points of the game after his side won the opening tip.
Jason Swaine chanced his arm at a three-pointer in response. But when that failed, up stepped the smallest man on court, Ben Livingstone, to bury the first of two threes in the space of a minute that were interrupted only by a two from Ralph Bucci to leave Mohawks trailing by 6.
It was fully four minutes before Hanson’s side made a real impact on the game, with 5 from Bucci and 2 from Jackson giving Mohawks a brief 12-10 lead before Livingstone stole the ball from Bucci and fed to Rhys Hocking, one of four new Worcester signings, whose 2 points put his new club back in front again.
The tide really began to turn Mohawks’ way from the sixth minute, when a 10-4 run was the last time they had to worry about the opposition, although the scoreline was only 31-24 in Teesside’s favour at the first break.
The opening exchanges of session two were more along the lines of pre-game expectations. Pete Knechtel opened his account, and the quarter, with a slam dunk from a James Nicholson feed as Mohawks went in for the kill early. And with Bucci quickly adding 2 and Lijah Perkins copying Knechtel’s slam with one of his own in the second minute, Wolves were on the ropes and seeking a time-out to regroup.
But there was no immediate benefit for the home side as Perkins bagged a two and followed up with a couple of successful free throws to establish a healthy 41-24 lead before Wolves posted their first points in the fourth minute of the session.
With all but 3 of Worcester’s last 13 second-quarter points fired from the impressive Solvason, the warning signs were already there that he might figure highly in the second half. And he didn’t disappoint, with the first points on the board going to the former Coventry player.
But those two points were met with 8 in reply from Mohawks, including a one handed slam dunk from Bucci as the lead was extended to 20 in a three minute barren spell for Wolves. When they did get points on the board, they usually conceded two scores at the other end as Hanson’s side effortlessly carved out a 24 point lead with 10 minutes to play.
When the final quarter got underway, Bucci had long since been retired to the bench, while Dennis Ley, Neil Hopper, Corey Jackson and Jason Swaine all spent long periods on the sidelines in favour of the unsung players who were given some good court time by Hanson.
Lijah Perkins grabbed the opportunity with both hands and treated fans with a further two slam dunks, including a stunning flying one-handed move that only he can do.
James Nicholson again showed his battling qualities, although he blotted his copy book by getting his marching orders 3 minutes from time after a technical foul which saw Solvason gifted 3 free throws that were sunk with ease as he picked up 14 of his side’s 23 points.
Hanson agreed that late arrival was not the best preparation for his side. “I don’t think the long journey was very helpful, but the boys woke up enough to get the job done, so I was pleased about that,” said Hanson.
And the coach also admitted that the big wins are not all bad for his side. He said: “This type of game gives us an opportunity to play the whole team and a chance to see the whole picture as we prepare for the bigger tests ahead.”
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