Press Release 11

Junior Women edged out by “Wildcats”

Junior Women’s North Conference

Nottingham “Wildcats” 43- 40 Northants “Lightning”

Deprived of the services of two starting five players the Northants “Lightning” were reasonably pleased to get within three points of local rivals Nottingham “Wildcats”. Coach Karen Goodrich was less pleased that her charges had missed as many as 15 free throws. “This was an excellent team performance with all nine of my players scoring but in such a close game we just have to be better from the free throw line.”

Goodrich must also have been disappointed that her team got off to such a slow start trailing 20-9 after the first period of play. “Lightning” proceeded to win or tie the remaining three quarters but at key moments open shots didn’t drop and the county had to rely on determined defence to stay in the game. Indeed when a three-pointer from Imogen Cox tied the scores at 39 each a “Lightning” win looked to be on the cards but another missed free throw saw “Wildcats” seize the initiative and go on to win.

For “Lightning”, Chloe Moss top scored with 9 points and she also rebounded excellently as did Esme Kinghorn and Klare Pinney.

The two teams meet again in the Sureshot Cup in two weeks time and “Lightning” will certainly be out for revenge.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Moulton see off South Notts

East Midlands College’s Elite League

Moulton College ‘A’ 69 -51 South Notts College

Moulton College avenged an early season loss against South Notts College last Wednesday. Moulton saw off South Notts College in a game which for three quarters was dominated by defences.

The two teams were tied up st 16 all after the first period but by half time had edged ahead 32-24. Moulton’s defensive effort held strong in the third quarter when they restricted their opponents to just 9 points although they could only manage 14 themselves so extending their lead to46-33r. Both teams were suffering offensively because of injuries to key players, For Moulton Dan Shaw was struggling with an injury picked up at the previous weekend while South Notts’ centre Rees Harwood picked up a back injury early in the game.

By the fourth quarter both teams were tiring and this meant the defensive intensity was reduced with both teems finding scoring much easier. Moulton took the period 23-18 to run out winners by 69 points to 51.

In the 17 point win Dan Shaw top scored with 16 points despite his injury with Leon Henry, Jermayne Laing and Johnny Yates all giving good support.

East Midlands Colleges Participation League

Moulton College ‘B’ 40 – 68 Loughborough College

Four weeks ago Moulton were defeated by over sixty points by Loughborough College so this result represented a massive improvement. For Moulton Chris Knight and Asher Kirby top scored with 12 points apiece.

Moulton girls fail to make the Natioanl Finals

East Midlands Colleges Girls Championships

Moulton College 36 -48 Bilborough College

A disappointing entry saw Moulton and Bilborough play a one off game for the right to represent the East Midlands in the National Championships. Moulton had lost the services of Whitney Bain the previous day with a torn hamstring sustained in practice and matters got even worse for the county college when sharp-shooting Katie Bayliss rolled her ankle early in the game and took no further part in contest.

At the time of Bayliss’s injury Moulton were leading 18-14 but with Bilborough switching to a zone defence Moulton’s scoring options were severely restricted. Bilborough held the initiative throughout the contest but by sheer determination Moulton stayed in the contest. Chloe Moss dominated the defensive rebounding allowing Imogen Cox to orchestrate a number of fast breaks.

In the 12 point defeat Cox top scored for Moulton with 11 points, Moss scored 10 while Esme Kinghorn and Laura Henderson both made valuable contributions.

CENTRAL VENUE LEAGUE

The second session of Under 14 Boys Central Venue League was just as competitive as the first. The Northants “Thunder” outfit went through the evening undefeated and now have a played 8 won 6 record; and identical record to Northants “Ballers”. “Thunder” top the table on points difference. Academy ‘A’ and Northants “Storm” are close behind having lost just one game more.

THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION

Saturday 6th December

12 noon “Ballers” verus Wellingborough “Phoenix” and Milton Keynes “Lions”

Under 13 Boys versus Derby “Trailblazers” and Notts Nova

4.30pm Cadette Women versus Hinckley & Bosworth “Ladyhoops”

6.30pm Moulton Junior Men versus City of Birmingham

All these games will be played at the Northants Basketball Centre in Spinney Hill Road. Spectators are welcome and admission is FREE

Cadet Men travel to Manchester “Magic”

Junior Men travel to Notts Nova

Under 15 Boys travel to Milton Keynes to pay MK “Lions” and Shropshire “Warriors”

Under 13 II travel to Leicester to play “Dynamite” and Arden “Griffins”

Sunday 13th December