Press Release 10

Below par “Moulton” see of gutsy Cambridge in National Cup

“Sure Shot” Junior Men’s National Cup 2nd Round

Northants “Moulton”79 – 61Cambridge “Cats”

Northants “Moulton” advanced to the 3rd Round of the “Sure Shot” National Cup after a below par performance against a determined Cambridge “Cats” outfit. Any thoughts that Moulton might have any easy game against Conference opposition were quickly dispelled as the visitors raced into 7- zero lead. “Moulton” responded with a change of defence and by the end of the first quarter had edged ahead 19-18.

“Moulton’s” best basketball came in the second period when they outscored “Cats” 23-11 to take and a 42-29 lead. Coach John Collins stressed the importance of maintaining the high tempo of lay in the third period and his team responded well increasing their lead to 58-35. They were then guilty of ‘taking their foot off the gas’ and Cambridge responded with a 10-4 run.

Boosted by their success the “Cats” came out for the fourth quarter in determined mood and scored the first three baskets of the period to close the gap to 64-51. Collins took a time out and laid into his team who responded well and comfortably held on to take the tie 79-61

despite losing the services of centre Dan Shaw with a back injury.

“Moulton’s” scoring was well spread, Johnny Yates leading the way with 18 points. Jake Wyatt scored 13 points and pulled down 15 rebounds while Luke Griffiths had his best game of the season in scoring 12 points. Richard Higgins, Merson Paul and Dan Shaw, before his injury all chipped in with 8 points apiece.

Junior Men collapse against Shropshire

Junior Men’s Midland Conference

Northants “Thunder”46 – 53Shropshire “Warriors”

A nightmare third quarter cost the Northants “Thunder” Junior Men dear in their Midland Conference game against Shropshire “Warriors” last Saturday. At half time they were well in touch at 22-24 but in that third period they could muster just 8 points to their opponents 24 and the hill proved to be too steep to climb.

“Thunder” came to their senses in the fourth period which they won 16-5 but their efforts weren’t quite good enough to win the game, “Warriors” holding on to win 53-46. The main problem for the county boys in that decisive third period was their static offence against Shropshire’s zone defence.

In the seven point set back Phil Humphrey top scored with 21 points and he received good support from Nick Kitchen who scored 13

Cadet men lose in the League but win in the Cup

Cadet Men’s Premier Division North

Northants “Thunder”58 -60Derby “Trailblazers”

At the start of the season “Thunder” comfortably defeated an under strength Derby team. Last Saturday the “Trailblazers” arrived at the Northants Basketball Centre more or less at full strength so a tight game was expected and so it proved.

“Thunder” took to a five point lead in the first quarter and this was extended to seven at 35-28 by half time thanks in the main to the perimeter shooting of Merson Paul and good close to the basket work by Callum Woodhouse.

Derby held the advantage in the third period with their determined defence making it difficult for the Northants boys. “Trailblazers” took the period 18-14 to go into the final ten minutes trailing 46-49. The defences of both teams were dominant in the final period but Derby eventually took the lead with three minutes to play. James Rutter made an interception and scored a breakaway lay up to get the deficit back to two and “Thunder” fouled in order to send their opponents to the free throw line in the hope they would miss. In the event the referee decided that Derby would be disadvantaged and allowed play to continue and they were able to run down the clock.

In the disappointing defeat Paul scored 16 points and Woodhouse 14 but no other county player was able to get into double figures.

Sure Shot Cadet men’s National Cup 1st Round

Bury “Bulldogs”23 - 99Northants “Thunder

Less than 24 hours after their disappointing loss to Derby “Thunder” were back on court for a “Sure Shot” National Cup game against Bury “Bulldogs” They opened the game with an aggressive man-to-man press and forced Bury to turn the ball over on numerous occasions, in the first quarter. Thunder looked were able to feed the ball to Daniel Obasa close to basket while Harry Neale, Fraser Campbell and Adam Thomas all added points from the perimeter. Eight Northants players scored in the first quarter which saw “Thunder” leading

In the second period “Thunder” utilised a half court trapping defence to good effect, Merson Paul and Callum Woodhouse added 15points in the first 5 minutes on the break while Ben Sampson and Denis Vasiljev played some excellent defence again forcing turn-overs leading to easy scores.

“Thunder” were able to maintain their intensity during the third and fourth quarters and they were able to close out an easy win by over sixty points. No less than five Northants players Daniel Obasa Merson Paul.: Ben Sampson, Denis Vasijev and Callum Woodhouse scored in double figures while Adam Thomas chipped in with 9.

Coach Eddon commented “It wasn’t just about the win today, it was the way the team conducted themselves that pleased me. They hustled on defence, ran a structured offence, and showed trust in each others abilities.