Press Release 18

Junior Men suffer heavy defeat in Birmingham

Junior Men’s Midlands Regional Conference

City of Birmingham II94 - 59Northants “Thunder”

A Northants “Thunder” junior men’s team deprived of a number of key players travelled to Birmingham for a Regional Conference game against City of Birmingham’s second team and returned on the wrong end of a 94-59 score line. Despite the margin of the defeat the Northants coaching staff was delighted with the effort put out by their six players. This applied particularly to Phil Humphreys who contributed 28 points and 13 rebounds despite having only recently returned from a serious ankle injury.

The two teams were evenly matched in the first period which C.O.B. just edged 17-16. The second quarter saw the Birmingham side up the intensity of their defence and this forced numerous “Thunder” errors. Trailing 67-41 going into the final period of play “Thunder” conjured up an 8-0 run only for Birmingham to re-introduce their ‘starting five’ and re-establish their 30 plus lead.

Poor final quarter proves costly for Cadets

Cadet Men’s Premier League North

Derby “Trailblazers84 – 75Northants “Thunder”

With less than two minutes of the game remaining “Thunder” cadet men were within two points of “Trailblazers”. On the next play of the game they elected to take a three point shot. The shot missed and Derby converted a lay up from the resulting possession. At this stage “Thunder” resorted to a number of one versus five attacks which proved to be unsuccessful and resulted in a rather flattering score line for the home team.

The two teams had shared the honours in the two previous games between the teams so a close encounter was expected. So it proved for over three quarters of the game. “Trailblazers” seized the early initiative only for “Thunder” to battle back to 40-38 down at half time. An excellent third period which with efficient offence against the Derby zone defence saw “Thunder” establish a four point lead at 60-56 going into the last quarter.

The two teams exchanged baskets for 8 minutes of the quarter until that fatal undisciplined two minutes from the county boys which led to their defeat.

Coach Rob Eddon was obviously disappointed about the result but he was pleased that all his players had contributed to the scoring led by Daniel Obasa and Merson Paul with 23 and 20 points respectively. Paul also pulled down eight rebounds and figure matched by Callum Woodhouse and Denis Vasiljev

“Thunder” eclipse “Warriors”

Under 15 Boys Midland Conference

Herts “Warriors”37 - 103Northants “Thunder”

For the second week running the Northants “Thunder” under 15 boys inflicted a heavy defeat on Herts “Warriors”. The county boys turned in a ruthless performance against a “Warriors” team that showed plenty of spirit and determination.

“Thunder” opened with an aggressive man to man full court defence and this caused their opponents a great deal of problems forcing numerous turn-overs resulting in easy scoring opportunities and giving them a 26-10 lead after the first quarter. They continued their dominance in the second period and after taking a 25 points lead switched to a half court defence in deference to their opponents.

By half time “Thunder” had established a 52-20 lead and they continued to play with efficiency in the third and fourth quarters finally running out winners by 103 points to 37.

In the overwhelming win Garnet Walters had a splendid game scoring 35 points and pulling down 8 rebounds while Jordan Marshall contributed 18 points and also hauled down 8 boards. All eight “Thunder” players scored Alistair McClure, Ben Care and Cameron Emerson all getting into double figures.

“Thunder” go down to Leicester in double overtime

Under 14 Boys Midland Conference

Northants “Thunder”51 – 26Shropshire “Warriors”

Northants “Thunder”62 – 75Leicester “Warriors”

(53 – 53)(59 – 59)

The Northants “Thunder” under 14 boys slipped to a disappointing double overtime defeat to local rivals Leicester “Warriors”. The defeat was a difficult pill to swallow for the county boys because they had established a 10 point lead at 27-17 by half time.

“Warriors” halved that advantage by the end of the third period and tied the scores up towards the end of the fourth. “Thunder” were guilty of some undisciplined play at the end of regular team. On a number of occasions having missed shots and securing the rebound they forced up quick shots instead of running a disciplined offence.

Going into overtime “Warriors” recognised that “Thunder’s” main scoring threat Matt Yates, was tiring and in the second period of overtime this was to prove decisive “Warriors” superior team play proved to be a crucial factor. Leicester won that second period of overtime 15-2 to take the game despite a huge haul of 40 points from Yates.

Earlier in the day “Thunder” had comfortably seen off Shropshire “Warriors” 51-26, Yates again dominating the scoring with 27 points support coming from Sam Round and James Harrison with 8 and 6 points respectively.

As a result of this latest tournament the county team stay in second place in the Midland Conference.

“Thunder Too” stay top of the Midland South Conference

Under 13 Midlands South Conference

Northants “Thunder Too”64 - 40Wellingborough “Phoenix”

Northants “Thunder Too” maintained their position at the top of the Midlands South Conference after a 24 points win over a determined and competitive Wellingborough “Phoenix” team in a physical and mostly scrappy game.

“Thunder Too” led 34-18 at half time but “Phoenix” stayed very competitive throughout the final two quarters and the home side were only able to extend their lead by a further eight points.

Nine Northants players got onto the score sheet led by Georgia Elliott-King while Joe O’Connor scored 10 points and worked hard at both ends of the floor.

“Ballers” pick up second win of the season

Under 13 Midlands South Conference

Arden “Griffins”73 - 12Northants “Ballers”

Coventry “Tornadoes”37 – 34Northants “Ballers”

The young Northants “Ballers” picked up their second Conference win of the season with a gritty three points win over Coventry “Tornadoes”. The “Ballers” win was based on a solid first half performance during which time they established a 24-16 lead. “Tornadoes” responded strongly in the third period which they took 12-7 to reduce the lead to 31-28 but “Ballers” held on for the win led by 11 points from Andre Arissol. Siam Chowdhury scored 8 points and controlled play well while Josh Percival-Round had a good all-round game with a 7 points and a number of rebounds.

Earlier “Ballers” had been heavily beaten by Arden “Griffins” who look certain to make the Play Offs. “Griffins” held a comfortable 34-10 at half time and inexplicably ran a full court press throughout the final two periods. “Ballers” were overwhelmed 39-2 by an older physically stronger team but never let their heads go down.

Final period effort not quite enough for Junior Women

Junior Women’s North Conference

Stockport “Lapwings”60 - 52Northants “Lightning”

The Play Off hopes of the Northants “Lightning” junior women are rapidly faded after and 8 points set back at Stockport “Lapwings”. The main reason for the defeat was a poor second quarter which the county girls lost 21-8 and despite a superb final period rally.

A Northants short of several key players made the long journey to the north west and did an excellent job in the first quarter which Stockport just shaded 18-16. Then came that disappointing second period which gave a 39-24 half time score line. “Lapwings” took the third period by a single point to lead by 16 points, but “Lightning” stormed back during the last ten minutes. They won the period 13-5 but it was too little too late as Stockport held on for the 60-52 win.

Coach Andy Cox was full of praise for his team’s efforts which saw Esme Kinghorn lead the scoring with 16 points. Katie Bayliss and Sascha Thompson gave good support with 13 and 10 points respectively.

Cadette Women’s Midlands Conference

Mansfield “Giants47 - 76Northants “Lightning”

The Northants “Lightning” under 16 girls gave their Play Off chances a massive boost with a convincing win over Mansfield “Giants”. Last time the two teams met “Lightning” triumphed by just three points with Mansfield’s Heleanor Palmer scoring 37 points. On this occasion the Northants girls won by almost 30 points while Palmer was restricted to just 14 points.

After a delayed journey “Lightning” didn’t get the pre-game preparation they needed and made a lethargic start to the game. A time out from Coach Brian Johnson did the trick and his team went on a 20-5 charge to establish a 32-19 half time lead.

The responsibility of handling Palmer had gone to Kayla Maynard and Rovinj Allen and their efforts seemed to inspire the rest of the team. “Lightning’s” determined defence forced a number of turn overs and not for the first tiem this season Lana Doran was able to convert easy scores.

In the comfortable win Doran scored 27 points, Maynard combined her defensive duties with 12 points while Saschon Marshal contributed 10points and Isobel Sayer hauled down 10 important rebounds.

Under 14 Girl’s Midlands Conference

Birmingham “Force”78 – 23Northants “Lightning Too”

The second Northants under 14 team suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of a talented Birmingham “Force” team. This season is a big learning experience for the Northants girls which hopefully will stand them in good stead for next season. Unfortunately, such is the structure of English basketball that there isn’t an under 13 competition where these young players can play.

Having not played a competitive game so far this year “Lightning Too” not surprisingly found it difficult to re-focus on the basics of the game and Birmingham were able to capitalise on their weaknesses and ran out to 40-10 half time lead.

The county girls continued to battle in the second half and can be pleased with their fourth period effort which they only lost 15-9.