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Curtains for Thunder in Trophy rehearsal
NBL Conference: Teesside 114 Worthing 112
American EJ Harrison gave TVL Mohawks the perfect Christmas present hours before jetting home to enjoy the festivities, with four free throws leading the club to a heart-stopping 114-112 overtime victory against fellow title hopefuls Worthing Thunder, and with it a hold on top spot in the Conference.
First the six foot one inch guard saved the game with two free throws to bring the scores level at 102-102 with just three seconds of regular time left to play. And with 51 seconds on the extra time clock, and defeat staring the club in the face, he was the calmest person at Eston Sports Academy as he coolly sank both free throws to give his side a one point lead that sank the hopes of the visitors, who could only watch as the seconds counted down.
“I’m very happy with the win and my performance,” said Harrison. “But I think we could have played better. Worthing are a good team, who matched up pretty good against us.
And how the Sussex club contributed to an epic encounter. With quality shooters Sean Hampton and Paul Mundy-Castle in the visitors ranks Mohawks, weakened by the absence of Pete Knechtel with a back injury, knew that a good start was vital. And they got one.
Thunder failed to take advantage of a clutch of early misses by Mohawks, and it was the home side who were first off the mark through skipper Neil Hopper. And with Harrison, followed by a three from Swaine, also getting in on the act, the side held a dream 7-0 advantage after three minutes.
Worthing showed just why they are tipped by many for silverware of some description this season, by battling back to sink the next nine points before the second of Swaine’s six threes gave the side a lead that lasted until three minutes from the end of the quarter. But after two misses from Hopper, crackshots Mundy-Castle and Hampton, with nine against a solitary two from Bucci, gave the visitors a 30-26 lead at the first break.
It took four minutes for Mohawks to take a real lead again, with another three-pointer from Steve Butler starting a run that led to the side going seven up, although the inside work of Gaylon Moore, who was almost unstoppable with his drives to the basket, kept Thunder in the hunt with 12 of his side’s 22 points as Mohawks went into the dressing room ahead at 57-52. A fired up James Nicholson attracted the attention of referees with a foul on Mundy-Castle, with whom a feud was developing, earning a technical foul.
Although Thunder won the second half tip off, it was Mohawks who got off to the better start, with Harrison, followed by a crowd-pleasing slam dunk from Perkins, putting the side 9 ahead before the visitors knew what hit them.
That lead was extended to 13 – the biggest advantage of the game – in the fifth minute when Harrison, assisted by Swaine, sank his second three of the game. But back again came Thunder, who levelled up the scores at 76-76 with a minute on the clock by outscoring Mohawks 18-5 thanks largely to two threes from Dwayne Martin and another from Marvin Addy. The last word went to home Canadian, Dennis Ley, who after a well-crafted manoeuvre by Bucci, brought the house down with a three as the buzzer signalled time to give his side an uncomfortable three point lead (82-79) with ten tense minutes still to play.
One from two free throws by Bucci in the third minute saw Mohawks enjoy a seven point cushion. But six from Hampton and one from Martin against just a single free throw from Hopper, brought the deficit down to just four before James Nicholson, who was now on borrowed time, chased a pinpoint long ball down court from Hopper to whip up the crowd and Mohawks bench with a two.
Less than three minutes later, Nicholson found himself ejected from the game after another unnecessary set-to with Mundy-Castle saw the Worthing star awarded four free throws for a double foul. Thankfully for Mohawks, only two hit the target, leading to a three point play from Bucci handing the lead back over to the home side once again at 96-94 and less than two minutes on the clock.
Hampton, who with 36 was the game’s top scorer, picked up six of his side’s next eight points while Perkins, with a two, followed by two from the free throw line by Bucci, looked as though they were staring at defeat with 13.9 seconds on the clock and a scoreline of 100-102. Enter Harrison, who forced the game into five minutes overtime with two from two free throws.
Thunder, despite the absence of star man Hampton, who was fouled out, blazed into a seven point lead within three minutes before Bucci hit back with two for Mohawks.
Enter Harrison again, who after another crisp assist from Bucci, hit a three that took the wind out of the visitors’ sails and brought Mohawks to within one point with less than a minute available.
Worthing’s number six, Addy, put the pressure on Harrison with a foul sending him to the free throw line for a make-or-break two throws. When the first went through the hoop the crowd leapt with delight. But when the second hit the target the building shook as Mohawks went a point up.
It was left to Bucci to take one from four free throws to see out an incredible game.
Inter Basket 93 Solent Stars 95
The young all English Inter Basket side narrowly failed to pull off their second victory of the league season in a pulsating battle at the Space Centre in London.
Solent took an early 9-6 lead on the back of good offensive rebounding by Nick Oharabe before an 8-0 run by the home side saw them take a 14-9 advantage after seven minutes. The Stars hit back with American John Bynum scoring five straight but Inter held a 22-19 lead at the end of the first quarter; Ben Smart already with 12 to his name.
Despite Solent's tight 1-2-2 zone, the London side jumped out with a 6-0 run at the start of the second and despite some poor foul shooting extended to 35-26 on the back on tenacious defence and good shot selection. Solent hit back and a flurry of threes at the end of the second quarter saw Inter lead 47-39; Smart with 21 and Bynum 15. Perhaps more importantly Solent's second American Marlin Capers had a first half tally of two points and four fouls.
The third period saw Solent in much tougher defensive mode but crucially after just two minutes Inter lost the services of captain Andrew Bailey to a badly strained ankle; an injury that would prove to be crucial to the overall result. An 8-0 run brought the scores level and although the home side recovered to 53-49, the on court leadership that Bailey brings was missing. For Solent, Capers began to find his range and his basket and free throws from Bynum gave the Hampshire side a 67-63 advantage at the end of the third.
When they scored the first five points of the final stanza, Stars must have thought they would be comfortable. But Inter's Franck Batimba had other ideas. Scoring 12 of his sides next 14 points, the visitors lead was down to three at 82-79 with four minutes to play. But seven unanswered from Solent again seemed to have settled matters.
However it was Inter's turn and they made a 9-2 run to trail by just three, James Miller hitting four straight. Capers replied with two, which was matched by Smart and it was 93-90 with half a minute remaining. Capers made two from the line and although Miller made a huge three, Solent were able to keep possession to run out victors in a match that had everyone on their feet at the finish. Smart 31, Batimba 27 and Mbye 15 led the way for Inter Basket whilst Bynum 35, Capers 19 and McDonald and Oharabe with 15 were Solent's lead scorers.
Manchester Magic 110 Reading Rockets 99
Reading Rockets spent almost the entire game playing catch up to Manchester but eventually lost their way in a physical and scrappy game that was marred by some appallingly inconsistent and poor refereeing. In the absence of Head Coach Dave Titmuss, on duty with the Great Britain Wheelchair team,
Rockets Captain Matt Johnson assumed the coach's role, "Individually and collectively we allowed the catalogue of bad calls against us to effect our performance which is unacceptable". Team Manager Gary Johnson was disappointed "We ended the game with two injured players, four on four fouls and one fouled out. It was an uphill struggle but we'll learn from this and come back stronger and more determined in the new year".The game started with a frantic exchange of baskets with Hodds, Cooper and Washington all scoring for Rockets early on. Rockets went from 15-13 ahead to 19-15 down which prompted Matt Johnson's first time out. Ted Smith made a steal which he converted into two points and John Hodds showed strength under the basket to level the scores at 19 each. But Manchester then scored seven points without reply from Rockets thanks to some sloppy defensive play. Smith made two from two at the line having been fouled to end the first quarter with Rockets 30-24 down.
The second quarter started with a foul on Ted Smith and he made one of two from the line and this was followed by a Damon Cooper three point special. After an excellent multi passing move Adam Kelly showed good control to score under pressure but Manchester maintained their advantage at 38-32. An awesome block by Rockets new boy David Washington was followed by another Cooper three and a Smith three that brought the Rockets deficit to one point at 43-42 and Manchester Coach Jeff Jones called a time out. After the break Manchester capitalised on a number of Rockets errors and some quite incredible refereeing decisions in their favour, to take a 53-48 lead into the half time break.
After an exchange of baskets at the start of the third quarter Ted Smith received his fourth foul of the game which astonished even the Manchester players. Moments later John Hodds was called for another
questionable foul which put him on four fouls. Decision after decision went against Rockets and Manchester gratefully took full advantage extending their lead to 69-55 with just under five minutes remaining. Rockets rallied scoring five points to Manchester's one but Ted Smith was blatantly punched on the arm as he drove to the basket but this went unpunished. With a dead arm and no feeling in his hand he was inevitably substituted. Johnson showing his typical leadership qualities went to the basket like an exocet missile to score two and Adam Kelly injured his frail ankle as he sort an opening in the Manchester defense. Rockets ended the quarter 81-70 down but in the circumstances it could have been much worse.Manchester opened the final quarter with five unanswered points as Rockets lost their shape and organization. Smith having regained some feeling in his hand was bundled over on his way to the basket. He made two from two but how it wasn't called a deliberate foul is still a mystery. Manchester piled on the agony for a 97-80 lead with five minutes to go. Rockets showed great character in so far as they kept
trying to cut the deficit and Cooper, Smith and Hodds all made significant contributions. At 101-82 with three and a half minutes remaining the Rockets bench still felt there was a chance to snatch the game but when David Washington's superb block was called goal tending by the referees and Manchester were awarded two points, one felt that a Manchester win was inevitable. Eames, Cooper and Smith all scored well before Eames was fouled out with seconds remaining. Rockets finished the better of the two teams but had too much to do to achieve a victory.
NBL Division One: Cardiff Clippers 72 Derbyshire Arrows 80
The injury ravaged Derbyshire Arrows bounced back from last weeks defeat by Ealing to record a vital away victory over the Cardiff Clippers by 72 – 80 and remain firmly in the hunt for the Division 1 Championship with a 5 – 1 record this season.
The Arrows were once again denied the services of stars Jamie Davidson & Richard Marsh with 14 year old youth prospect Joseph Morris pressed into service but showed tremendous reserves of character & fitness to take the win. The Arrows will be looking for these two important players to recover over the Christmas break if the Arrows are to maintain a realistic title challenge.
The Arrows opened brightly with Jeff Bevington prominent in the early action as the Arrows reached the end of the first quarter with a 19 – 15 advantage.
The Arrows with King & Gayle outstanding increased their offense in the second quarter, while David Waite & Bevington controlled the rebounds defensively, the Arrows went on to take the quarter 29 – 15 and held a decisive 48 – 30 interval advantage.
The third quarter was an even affair with Kingsley Ellmer scoring freely for the Arrows who still led 68 – 51 going into the final quarter which was to see the injury hit Arrows begin to tire. However the Arrows were able to hold on to take the game 72 – 80 despite a strong rally by the Clippers. David Waite finally settling the game from the foul line.
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