Press Release 13

P R E S S R E L E A S E

Conference side knock “Moulton” out of National Cup

Junior Men’s Sureshot National Cup 3rd Round

Oxford Brookes “Eagles”87 - 77Northants “Moulton

Northants “Moulton” were knocked out of the “Sureshot” National Cup by Conference side Oxford Brookes Eagles thanks to 34 points from Lithuanian shooting guard Lukas Aleksandrivicius. The game was a roller-coaster affair with both teams enjoying scoring sprees followed by relative droughts.

“Moulton” had been forewarned about the ability of the South Conference side but still started the game in lethargic fashion as Aleksandrivicius and small forward Doig causing them all kinds of problems. At the end of the first quarter “Moulton “trailed 26-16 but a defensive switch by Coach John Collins turned the game on its head. “Moulton” looked more secure on defence and were able to force a number of turn-overs. With Johnny Yates orchestrating their attack “Moulton” outscored the home side 33-19 in that second period to take a 49-45 half time lead, but there was concern because Yates had picked up his third personal foul.

Needing a solid start to the third period “Moulton” were guilty of appalling shot selection at the start of the quarter. Worse still they were committing unnecessary fouls finding themselves ‘in the penalty’ after just four minutes of the period. Oxford were now looking more comfortable against “Moulton’s” combination defence and went on a 12-4 scoring charge to retake the lead. Yates was re-introduced to the game and immediately the impetus swung back to “Moulton” and by the end of the period they had edged back in front 62-59.

This lead was extended to 70-63 three minutes into the final period but then a combination of fatigue and inability to execute their half court offence proved costly for “Moulton”. Oxford drew level midway through the quarter at 75 all and for the next five minutes kept “Moulton” to just two points while scoring 12 themselves to take a well deserved victory.

In the disappointing defeat Johnny Yates scored 27 points and he received good support from Dan Shaw and Leome Francis who scored 19 and 13 points respectively but no other “Moulton” player was able to score in double figures.

Junior Men hang on to beat “Outlaws”

Junior Men’s Midland Conference

Northants “Thunder”80 – 67Ilkeston “Outlaws”

The Northants “Thunder” Junior Men got back to winning ways with a hard fought victory over a tenacious Ilkeston “Outlaws”. “Thunder” made a dazzling start racing into a 31-14 lead after the first quarter. They then proceeded to allow their opponents back into the game thanks to some appalling shot selection and poor defence. Ilkeston took the quarter 24-14 so by half time were back in the game at 45-38.

“Thunder” were able to regain their composure somewhat in the third and fourth quarters thanks to the close to basket play of Matt Usher and the back court control of Nick Kitchen while a 7 points contribution in a single minute from Dan McNab proved to be crucial.

In the 13 point win Usher top scored with 15 points while Kitchen contributed 13 in the win which was achieved without the services of leading scorer Philip Humphrey who is still sidelined through injury and will certainly boost the team’s confidence.

“Sharks” too strong for Cadets

Cadet Men’s Premier Division North

Northants “Thunder”62 - 111Sheffield “Sharks”

Sheffield “Sharks” have one of the best Cadet teams in the country utilising an aggressive zone press defence which tends to concede a lot of points but usually wears down their opponents and forces them into errors.

For two quarters of this game the Northants Cadet Men were able to hold their own against “Sharks” but in the two others they were outscored by an alarming 45 points to 18.

The first quarter was a scoring bonanza for both teams “Sharks” taking it 33-21 but then came the onslaught and the fact that the county boys were able to almost match Sheffield in the final period was immaterial.

In the 49 point defeat Merson Paul with 20 points was the only “Thunder” player who was able to score in double figures.

Cadet Men exit National Cup

Cadet Men’s Sureshot National Cup 3rd Round

Westminster “Warriors”87 - 69Northants “Thunder

Just over 24 hours after losing to Sheffield “Sharks” the Northants Cadet Men were back on court against Westminster “Warriors” in a Sureshot National Cup game. They succeeded in emulating the Northants “Moulton” Junior Men by losing to a Conference team in the form of Westminster “Warriors”.

“Thunder” were playing catch up from the very first minute and at the end of the first quarter found themselves trailing 23-18. The deficit grew to 48-35 by half time and the county boys knew they would need to produce a massive second half effort if they were to proceed to the Cup quarter finals. In the event they lost the third period 18-10 and at 66-45 it was as good as game over.

“Thunder” took the final period 24-21 but it was too little too late as they went down 87-69 and could look back on some defence which lacked technique and commitment.

In the 18 point set back Dan Obasa, Merson Paul, and Ravi Parmar all scored in double figures Jess Kelly worked hard for his 9 points and Dennis Vasiljev rebounded powerfully.

Under 15 Boys just pipped by “Lions”

Under 15 Boys Midlands Conference

Northants “Thunder27 – 30Milton Keynes “Lions”

Northants “Thunder”64 – 33Notts Nova

The Northants “Thunder” Under 15 Boys almost got within three points of undefeated Conference leaders Milton Keynes “Lions” in a low scoring game last Saturday. This represented a superb effort because they had been beaten by 22 points by the same oppoents a week previously.

 “Thunder” got off to a good start leading 10-6 after the first period but “Lions” came roaring back in the second to take the lead at 16-14 by half time. The next two periods were attritional to say the least with the Northants boys unable to get into their favoured running game. Milton Keynes were able to contain “Thunders’” offence with their zone defence and were able to hold out for a three point win.

Against Notts Nova “Thunder” seemed to be suffering from a hang-over after the disappointment of losing to Milton Keynes and at the end of the first quarter only led 18-15. Coach Peter Dewsnap was able to inspire his team to greater efforts and his charges eventually ran out winners by 64 points to 33.

Over the two games Garnet Walters totalled 27 points while against Nova, Alex Adams and Jordan Marshall made valuable contributions of 13 and 11 points respectively.

Under 14 Boys stay undefeated

Under 14 Boys Midlands Conference

Ilkeston “Outlaws”40 – 62Northants “Thunder”

Northants “Thunder”59 - 40Notts Nova

The Northants “Thunder” Under 14 Boys travelled to Ilkeston for their latest tournament and returned with two wins so maintaining their undefeated record.

Against the home side they made a slow start and trailed 19-18 after the first quarter. “Thunder” were then able to establish their superiority restricting “Outlaws” to just 21 points over the next three periods of play and running out comfortable winners by 22 points. Matt Yates top scored with 21 points well supported by James Harrison with 14.

Against Notts Nova “Thunder” led 25-10 at half time but were then guilty of relaxing their efforts allowing their opponents to close to 33-31 going into the final period of play. “Thunder” got back to their aggressive best during the fourth quarter which they won 24-9 to take the game 59-40. Yates again led the scoring with 31 points with Dominic Francis chipping in with 8.