Press Release 16
No Final for Junior Women
Junior Women’s Sure Shot National Cup semi-final
Northants “Lightning”45 -86Southend “Swifts”
With Nottingham “Wildcats” giving Northants “Lightning” the quarter final tie the county girls rather surprisingly found themselves in with a chance of making a National Final. To achieve this they would have to overcome a Southend “Swifts” team that had won last season’s Under 16 Play Offs. The margin of defeat was substantial but “Lightning” could take some pride in the knowledge that they had performed somewhere near to the top of their capabilities.
From the outset it was clear that if “Lightning” were to have any chance of victory they would have to match Southend’s aggressive man to man defence and quick counterattacking basketball. On occasions the Northants girls managed to do this but they were unable to do this on a consistent basis and were guilty of giving the ball away far too easily. This and the fact that they missed no less than 22 free throws were the main contributing factors for the heavy defeat.
For “Lightning” Chloe Moss battled hard for her 11 points while Imogen Cox bid an excellent job of advancing the ball through the Southend pressure.
Junior Women’s National League North Division
Northants “Lightning”53 - 67Birmingham “Force”
The previous day “Lightning” had faced a very different challenge in the shape of a big Birmingham “Force” team playing an uncompromising zone defence. “Lightning” were well in contention at half time when they trailed by just four points at 33-29 but in the final two quarters of the game they were guilty of missing a number of lay ups. They also forced shots against bigger opponents when the better option would have been to pass off.
“Force” edged the last two periods of play to take a rather flattering 14 points win. For “Lightning” Imogen Cox top scored with 12 points; Chloe Moss battled hard for her 11 points while Katie Bayliss and Ayesha Hillman also made valuable contributions.
Birmingham ‘feel the force’ of “Lightning”
Cadet Women’s Midland Conference
Northants “Lightning”83 -43Birmingham “Force”
The Northants “Lightning” under 16 girls picked up another important Midland Conference win to keep their Play Off hopes alive. Their latest win came against an experienced Birmingham “Force” team who just couldn’t cope with the athleticism of Lana Doran who finished the game with 34 points.
“Lightning” leapt out to 25-5 first quarter lead and this was extended to 46-17 at half time. With the game as good as won “Lightning” were guilty of taking their foot off the gas in the third period which the West Midlanders narrowly won but it was business as usual in the final period as the county girls cruised to victory.
In addition to Doran’s massive haul Lucy Thomas and Imogen Aisbett both scored in double figures while Faye Clarke Georgia Wiles and Holly Brown were efficient providers
Outstanding ‘on the road’ double for Under 14 Girls
Under 14 Girls Midland Conference
Leeds Carnegie65 - 22Northants “Lightning”
Northants “Lightning32 – 29Sheffield “Hatters”
The Northants “Lightning” Under 14 girls made the long trip to Leeds for this Midland regional conference tournament and picked up to valuable wins which will massively help their bid to clinch runners up spot behind Nottingham “Wildcats”.
The game against Leeds Carnegie was much closer than the score suggests with the new girls providing a stubborn physical challenge. Izzy Johns was able to provide some excellent passes to Amy Grosvenor on the fast break and Grosvenor consistently converted to finish with a 12 point haul. The ever reliable Georgia Elliott-King and Lois Bain also scored in double figures while Karla Pinney was responsible for some excellent defensive work.
Like “Lightning”, Sheffield “Hatters” have lost to Nottingham on two occasions with very similar score lines so a tough encounter was expected and so it proved. Defences were on top in the first quarter which ended tied up at 3 all and “Hatters” took the second period 13-10 to lead 16-13 at half time. Defences dominated again in the third period which was tied at 8 all thanks to a late Elliott-King three pointer but “Lightning” sensed that they could still win the game.
Another score from Elliott-King gave the county girls the lead for the first time in the game and despite some nervous moments at the free throw line they held on for an exciting and rewarding win which was down to an outstanding all-round team performance
Shawless Moulton too good for Leicester
Junior Men’s Midland Premier League
Northants “Moulton”87 – 70Leicester “Cannons”
Northants “Moulton” got back to winning ways with a 17 points triumph over local rivals Leicester “Cannons” despite being without the services of centre Dan Shaw. Shaw had been injured in a swimming pool accident the previous day and is likely to be out of action for several weeks with a seriously damaged big toe.
“Moulton’s” performance was certainly in the Jekyll and Hyde mode as they played some sublime basketball in periods one and three only to be equally as wasteful in the second quarter. In that first period the home side totally controlled proceedings and raced into a 21-9 lead executing a series of lightning fast breaks matched with some tenacious defence.
Everything changed in the second quarter as “Cannons” adjusted to “Moulton’s” trapping zone defence and began to score at will. They clawed the lead back to eight points at 34-26 then went on a 10-zero run to take and unexpected 36-34 half time lead. Whatever coach John Collins said to the team at half time certainly worked as “Moulton” went on a 17-zero charge at the start of the third period. “Cannons” were shocked by a full court man to man press turning over the ball on numerous occasions leading to easy “Moulton” scores.
“Cannons” regrouped to a certain extent with “Moulton” handicapped when point guard Jonny Yates picked up his fourth foul but by the end of the quarter they had built up a 20 points lead. Only a repeat of the second quarter could cost “Moulton” the game now and although they lost some of their sparkle in the last ten minutes they still cruised through for a comfortable win.
For “Moulton” their two ‘big’ men Leome Francis and Jake Wyatt dominated with 21 points apiece and 26 rebounds between them while Leon Henry supported well with 18 points.
"Giants" too strong for "Thunder
Junior Men’s Midland Regional Conference
Mansfield “Giants”70 - 50Northants “Thunder”
The Northants "Thunder" Junior Men failed in their attempt to gain revenge for their first game of the season defeat by Mansfield "Giants". Playing without their leading scorer Phillip Humphreys, "Thunder" made a hesitant start to the game and found themselves trailing 24-9 after the first period of play.
This lead proved to be decisive with "Thunder" only losing the second quarter by six points, tying the third and actually winning the fourth. The Northants coaching staff were left to reflect on what might have been if their team hadn't 'left their game on the bus' during that first quarter.
Cadets get back to winning ways
Cadet Men’s Premier Division North
Northants “Thunder”84 – 60York “Vikings”
A stunning fourth quarter during which time the Cadet Men outscored York "Viking" 33-18 earned the Northants "Thunder" a well deserved 84-60 win over a much imporved York "Vikings" outfit.
York actually led after the first quarter with their sharp-shooting guards exploiting some passive defence by the Northants zone. "Thunder" were able to pick up the intensity in the second period with Jacob Holt making some important defensive plays and Fraser Campbell keeping the York shooters in check.
Leading 33-29 at half time "Thunder" were anxious to put the final result beyond issue in the third period but York continued to be a threat. to their credit the county boys hustled for every loose ball with skipper Daniel Obasa setting an excellent example. "Thunder" extended their lead by three points to 49-42 during that third quarter to set up a grandstand finish which saw them outscore their opponents 33-18. During that period Merson Paul and Obasa scored 13 and 10 points respectively as "Thunder" confidemtly completed a double over the northerners.
In the 24 points win Daniel Obasa led his team's scoring with 23 points while Callum Woodhouse had 14 points and Paul 13 but Coach Rob Eddon was pleased that the win had been achieved through an outstanding team effort.
