Press Release 12

Tough defence earns “Moulton” a key win

Junior Men’s Premier Division North

Northants “Moulton”70 – 58City of Birmingham I

The Northants “Moulton” Junior Men revenged their first day of the season defeat against City of Birmingham despite turning in another mistake ridden performance. They also did it without the services of influential point guard Johnny Yates who controversially fouled with five minutes of the game remaining.

The two teams were very evenly matched and in the first two quarters baskets were freely exchanged. Birmingham employed a Box and One defence with Johnny Yates being closely marked but once “Moulton” had made the necessary adjustments with Luke Griffiths and Merson Paul taking over ball-handling duties, they eased out to a 35-23 lead. “Moulton” then reverted to the bad habits which have been plaguing them all season as they proceeded to turn the ball over on numerous occasions. Birmingham were able to make a number of easy scores and a 10-zero run got the score back to 35-33 at half time.

Not for the first time this season stern words were the order of the day in the “Moulton” locker room and the team responded with a third period which displayed all the good facets of the team. They outscored their opponents 24-11 thanks to a combination of good outside shooting and efficient work close to the basket.

Leading 59-44, Coach John Collins was aware of growing fatigue in his team and three of his players on three fouls. He gambled by sitting out key players at the start of the fourth quarter and as Birmingham scored 12 unanswered points to get the score back to 59-56 he must have been wondering about the wisdom his decision. “Moulton” were able to steady the ship but when leading 61-56 Johnny Yates picked up his fourth foul with an unnecessary reaching in foul. Birmingham had reverted to their tactic of denying Yates the ball and on the next play he was clearly grabbed by the shirt on three occasions. Unwisely Yates retaliated, his push was spotted by the referee and the “Moulton” ball handler was out of the game on five fouls.

Trailing by just 5 points, Birmingham sensed victory and came up with an aggressive press defence. “Mouton” responded superbly running the clock down and scoring vital free throws as Birmingham sent them to the free throw line.

In the 12 point victory, Jake Wyatt was the hero of the day scoring 12 points, pulling down 14 rebounds and making 5 vital steals although he sustained an ankle injury in the last minute of the game. Yates top scored with 19 points before he fouled out including an exquisite pass fake and a three point score while Merson Paul contributed 15 points after rushing back from a game in Manchester. The other three “Moulton” ‘big’ men Dan Shaw, James Caan and Leome Francis returning after injury rebounded well with Shaw and Francis both scoring 8 points apiece.

No joy for Junior Men in Nottingham

Junior Men’s Midland Regional Conference

Notts Nova88 - 35Northants “Thunder”

An under strength Junior Men’s team travelled to Notts Nova and were on the end of a pretty severe beating. The Main absentee for “Thunder” was Phillip Humphrey who sustained a serious ankle injury during the week.

Robbed of Humphrey’s leadership and scoring power, “Thunder” struggled from the outset and by the end of the first quarter trailed 22-4. “Thunder” improved dramatically over the next threee periods of play but they couldn’t prevent Nova cruising to an easy win.

No “Thunder” player could get into double figures but Karston Webb and Matt Usher both eight.

Cadet Men well beaten in Manchester

Cadet Men’s Premier Division North

Manchester “Magic”114 – 46Northants “Thunder”

Against one of the leading Cadet teams in the country Northants “Thunder” knew they were going to be in for a tough game. Add to this the intimidating atmosphere of the Amaechi Basketball Centre and for some of the “Thunder” players it was all too much.

“Magic” dominated the whole game switching their defences and using numerous offensive options at will.

 

Cadette Women’s Midlands Conference

Northants “Lightning”104 -14Hinckley & Bosworth “Ladyhoops”

All twelve “Lightning” players scored in this 90 point mauling of the Ladyhoops” from Hinckley & Bosworth who never gave up despite being on the wrong end of a bad beating. The county girls comfortably won all three periods and in the second quarter even prevented their opponents from scoring at all.

Coach Brian Johnson was able to rotate his players freely and use the game to practice different aspects of the team’s strategy.

For “Lightning” Lana Doran led all scorers with25 points while Rovinj Allen, Chloe Burdett, returning from injury, and Isobel Sayer all scored in double figures.

Under 15 Boys split games in Milton Keynes

Under 15 Boys Midlands Conference

Northants “Thunder”30 – 18Shropshire “Warriors”

Milton Keynes “Lions” 64 – 42Northants “Lions”

The Northants “Thunder” Under 15 Boys travelled to Milton Keynes College for their latest tournament last Saturday and picked up a win and a loss.

In the first game against Shropshire “Warriors”, “Thunder” struggled against their opponent’s zone defence. In a low scoring game the county boys could look back with pride on their defensive play but thanks to poor perimeter shooting their scoring ability was severely limited. This was clearly shown by the fact that only Garnet Walters scored in double figures and the team were limited to 2 points in the fourth period.

 Having seen Shropshire profit from a zone defence it was no surprise that Milton Keynes employed the same tactic. “Thunder” were in contact after the first period at 11-10 but once again poor shooting and shot selection was a big problem and “Lions” took the second quarter 21-2. The county boys showed more penetration in the last two periods but there was no way back and Milton Keynes took the game by 22 points.

Once again Garnet Walters top scored with 13 points while Ben Care, Alistair McClure and Matt Yates provided good support

Round stars in big double for Under 13 Boys

Under 13 Boys Midlands North Conference

Northants “Thunder”52 – 14Derby “Trailblazers”

Northants “Thunder”56 – 28Notts Nova

The Northants Under 13 Boys picked up two vital wins in their latest Midlands North Conference tournament. Coach Mike Round was particularly pleased because he was missing several key players because of injury and illness.

Against Derby “Trailblazers” it was the intensity if the “Thunder” defence led by Henry Charter that was the key to their comfortable win as Sam Round poured in 27 points.

After a game rest the team looked very lethargic at the start of their game against Notts Nova and midway through the first period the scores were tied up a 6 each. By the end of the period “Thunder” had established a 16-12 lead and in the second quarter they were back to their best extending their lead 30-14. With the game as good as won the county boys were guilty of relaxing in the third period but they picked up the tempo again in the final quarter finally winning 56-28. Round was again the main scorer with a 33 points haul while ‘birthday boy’ Jamie Percival contributed 8 points.