Junior Men's team, Midlands 2 Conference champions
Press Releases
Junior Men clinch the Midlands 2 Conference title
The Northants “Thunder” Junior Men duly clinched the Midlands 2 Conference title despite a below par performance against Coventry “Elite”. They will now play in the Promotion Play Offs probably against one of the lower teams from the Premier League or a team from another Conference. Against “Elite”, “Thunder” made an excellent start to the game with six players helping the team establish a 23-11 lead after the first quarter, but they went to sleep in the second quarter allowing the Coventry team to outscore them by 17 points to 12.
Stunning fourth quarter gets Junior Men home against “Saxons”
Going into the fourth quarter of this Midlands 2 Conference game “Thunder” were trailing lowly “Saxons by 50 points to 57 and defeat was staring them in the face. The “Thunder” players and coaching staff had been upset by the physicality of the “Saxons” play while fouls had been called when there had been minimum contact.
The key plays of the final quarter were a three pointer from Emanuel Kalumba and a steal by Jack Lemon who cooly converted the two free throws resulting from the ensuing foul. Unfortunately the “Thunder” celebrations were spoiled by some unsavory incidents involving players and spectators. CLICK HERE to download the full press release
Stunning Under 16 Girls beat table-topping Brentwood
Led by 23 points from Luciey Caulfield the Northants Under 16 Girls pulled off a major shock when they defeated Conference leaders Brentwood “Leopards” at the Basketball Centre last Saturday. This was “Leopards” first loss of the season and came thanks to a gritty and determined defensive display from “Lightning” and of course, Caulfield’s point scoring exploits.
After their journey from Essex “Leopards” looked a little lethargic at the start of the game and were guilty of some poor defensive transition which allowed Lucie Caulfield the opportunity to score from a number of determined drives to basket. Leading 18-10 after the first quarter “Lightning” found scoring very difficult in the second quarter but were able to maintain their advantage on the scoreboard thanks to some great defensive work with Lauren Eighteen taking on the mantle of ‘shot-blocker’ in chief.
Junior Men win the battle but “Titans” think they’ve won the war.
To all intents and purposes this game was set to decide the destiny of the Midlands 2 Conference title with both teams having lost one game “Thunder” to “Titans” before Christmas and “titans” to Ballers Heaven Warwickshire “Warriors” just last weekend.
The game saw both teams missing players who were playing with Moulton College in an international tournament in Hungary. Led by the talented Ethan Round, “Titans” took the lead in the third minute of the game and held it until the eighth minute of the fourth quarter when a three-pointer from Fiffi Boakye playing his first game of the season gave “Thunder” the lead at 62-61. “Thunder” finished the game with a 10-three run with “Titans” freezing the ball over the final seconds.
All-round team effort sees Junior Men to victory against Coventry “Elite”
An excellent team effort which four players score in double figures was a major factor in this 20 point win over Coventry “Elite” a win which keeps “thunder” on top of the Midlands 2 Conference table. With local rivals “Titans” losing last weekend this very nicely sets up this Saturdays’ game between the two county teams.
Initially “thunder” found the going difficult against a sharp-shooting “Elite” team and were happy to ‘share the spoils’ at 17 all after the first quarter
Magic third quarter sees Junior Men home against “Ballers Heaven”
At half time in this Midlands 2 Conference game Ballers Heaven Warwickshire “Hawks” were leading “Thunder” by 33 points to 28 having outscored their opponents 19-12 in the second quarter thanks to an aggressive press defence. Not for the first time this season “Thunder” were able to turn in a sparkling third quarter which earned them the lead and ultimately the win.
Led by 11 points from skipper Dylan Dominici, three three-pointers and a full court zone defence “Thunder” outscored Ballers Heaven 26-12 to go 54-45 ahead going into the final quarter. During that final quarter the home side scored freely but almost every score was matched by a three-pointer from “Thunder” who took the quarter 20-18 and secure the 11 point win. CLICK HERE to download the full press release
Under 16 Boys just pipped in a thriller
With seconds of this Midlands Conference game remaining “Thunder” were awarded two free throws to tie up the game. In the event both shots were missed, “Storm” holding on for the 68 to 66 win.
The result was bitter disappointment for a much improved “Thunder” team who had battled back from a deficit which was as large as 16 points midway through that third quarter. Trailing 47-55 going into the fourth quarter, “Thunder” tied the scores midway through the quarter and then took a 66-65 lead thanks to scores by Angus Slater and Logan Ormshaw and from the team’s aggressive press defence; but they allowed that lead to slip away over the final minute of the game CLICK HERE to download the full press release
Fareed sees Juniors home for a comeback win
A 28 point haul from power forward Fareed Issufi was a big factor in securing this win for a short handed Northants Junior Men’s team against Warwickshire “Hawks” who are always tricky opponents on their home court.
“Thunder” took the initiative in a low scoring first quarter which they edged 15-11. They made an appalling start to the second quarter being outscore 10-4 and despite their best efforts trailed 30-32 at half time. CLICK HERE to download the full press release
Awesome Under 14 Girls get the better of “Arrows”
A stunning 34 point haul from Campbell Spatcher supported by 15 points from Jennifer Oamen saw the Northants “Lightning” to a battling win over a well organised Derbyshire “Arrows” team. The win their third of the season, moves ”Lightning” up to fifth in the North 2 Conference table and came in front of a large crowd at the Basketball Centre including several former players plus parents and friends of the team.
“Lightning” made an impressive start to the game and thanks to 12 points from Spatcher jumped out to a 20 points to 10 lead after the first quarter. Third placed “Arrows” battled back into the game during the Second quarter which they took 19 -13 to close the deficit to 29-33 at half time. CLICK HERE to download the full press release
Junior Men complete double over Oxford “Hoops”
When Oxford scored six points at the start of the fourth quarter to close the gap to 48-54 there was a danger that what had looked to a straight forward victory might slip away from the “Thunder” junior men. At this stage “Thunder” mounted a 16-2 charge inspired by power forward Rapolas Radavicius to seal a comfortable win that keeps them in second place in the Midlands 2 Conference CLICK HERE to download the full press release
Tough weekend for the Under 16 Boys
The Northants Under 16 Boys opened 2023 with a game against Leicester “Riders” and came out very much second best. After a competitive first quarter which the visitors edged 12-10 the “Thunder” scoring just dried up and they could manage only a paltry 22 points over the next thirty minutes of play.
In the disappointing loss no “Thunder” player could score in double figures Danielus Jokulis and Paul Judd both contributing eight points apiece. CLICK HERE to download the Full press Release
Activities and fixtures resume for the Northants Basketball Club
After the two week break for Christmas all activities and practices will resume for the Northants Basketball Club this week. The week will conclude with a busy weekend with no less than eight fixtures six of them at the Northants Basketball Centre.
The fixtures commence with the Under 15 Boys who so far this season, have played just two games taking on high flying Leicester “Riders” in a YBL Primis game. Leicester “Riders” are also the opponents for the Under 16 Boys who will be hoping that 2023 brings them better fortune than 2022 which saw them win just one game. The team has a ‘double-header’ weekend with “Thunder” taking on local rivals “Titans” on Sunday afternoon
Press Release 14 - Junior Men see off “Breakers II”
Despite missing four Moulton College based players who were playing in an international tournament in Italy the Northants junior men were able to record a convincing win over the Milton Keynes “Breakers” second string.
“Thunder” made a stunning start to the game with three decisive runs giving them 25 points to 12 lead after the first quarter. “Breakers” were able to stem the tide in the second quarter which “Thunder” edged 17-12 helped by the Milton Keynes’ team missing six free throws at the end of the quarter.
Press Release 13 - Junior Men beat “Ballers Heaven” in a topsy-turvy game
A six – zero run at the start of the third quarter saw “Warriors” take a 40 points to 36 lead. “Thunder” coach Darjius Maldutis switches his defence to a zone press and in the blink of an eye the game changed. Suddenly “Warriors” totally lost their composure and “Thunder” went on a stunning 20 to three run to take what appeared to be an unassailable 56-43 lead into the final quarter.
Press Release 12 - Junior Men get back to winning ways
The Northants Junior Men got back to winning ways with a comfortable win over the Milton Keynes “Breakers” second string. The win was based on an excellent first quarter which saw “Thunder” outscore their opponents by 25 points to 9 with seven players contributing to the 25 point total.
“Thunder” extended their lead to 51-28 by half time with their scoring dominated by Dylan Dominici and Fareed Ofusa, but the quarter was spoiled for “Thunder” with an injury to the sharp-shooting Ellis Phillips
Press Release 11 - Junior Men ‘downed’ by “Titans”
When Benas Maldutis drained a three-pointer to cap a 13 - 4 run “Thunder” had regained a lead they had lost at the end of the third quarter. At 63- 56 victory was within their grasp but a 17-zero “Titans” charge put paid to those hopes and despite their best efforts “Thunder” were unable to close the gap and they eventually slipped to an eight point defeat.
Both teams went into the game undefeated, and “Thunder” had the best of a low scoring first quarter which they took 15-8. “Titans” close the gap to 32-27 by half time and then took the lead midway through the third quarter
Press Release 10 - Warriors too strong for Cadet Boys
The Northants Under 16 boys missing several key players through illness and injury suffered a heavy defeat against a physically superior Leicester “Warriors” team.
“Thunder” were competitive in quarters one and three, but the effort expended saw them heavily outscored in quarters two and four. Coach Brad Hughes was full of praise for the efforts of his players but with the exception of Logan Ormshaw and Danielus Jokulis who both scored 14 points each, “Thunder” found scoring very difficult. CLICK HERE to download the Full Press Release
Press Release 9 - Junior Men beaten by Dynamite
Without a Conference game the Northants Junior Men made the short trip to Leicester for a friendly game against Leicester “Dynamite”. The game gave Coach Darjius Maldutis an opportunity to try some different playing combinations and to welcome Jordan Gbanja back to the team.
“Thunder” trailed 34-42 at half time and midway through the third quarter fell behind by as many as 16 points. To their credit they battled back well but eventually lost by 69 points to 75. CLICK HERE to download the Full Press Release
Press Release 8 - Five defeats for the Northants Club
The Northants Under 16 Boys slipped to defeat against Leicester Riders Foundation after a very physical encounter at the Morningside Arena.
“Thunder” made a good start to the game with their trapping defence forcing a number of “Riders” turn-overs. They led 14-7 after the first quarter and were ahead in the game 19-13 at half time after a low scoring second quarter.
“Thunder” were having increasing problems keeping the “Riders” players off the offensive boards and the home side made inroads into “Thunder’s” lead taking the third quarter 17-13 to reduce “Thunder’s” lead to 32-30 going into the last ten minutes play. CLICK HERE to download the Full Press Release
Press Release 7 - Under 14 Boys too strong for “Storm”
The Northants Under 14 Boys travelled to Shrewsbury last Saturday and after a sticky first quarter made it three wins from three starts.
Last Saturday’s game was the first the Northants club had ever played in Shrewsbury and after the long drive “Thunder” struggled to find their rhythm in the first quarter which they edged by 16 points to 15. “thunder” had a distinct height advantage and in the second quarter they were able to capitalize on this advantage and led by seven points from Logan Tanner they took the quarter 25-16.
The half time message to the team was to maintain their discipline and “Thunder” were able to extend their lead by nine points to 59-40 after the third quarter with their scoring once again led by Tanner. “Thunder” found scoring difficult in the final quarter but solid defence limited “Storm” to just six points so there was never any real danger of “Thunder” relinquishing their lead and they eventually ran out comfortable winners by 69 points to 46. CLICK HERE to download the Press Release
Press Release 6 - Poor second quarter proves costly for Under 16 Boys
A combination of a poor second quarter, failure to convert from the free throw line and their inability to contain Coventry’s guard, Kelly in that second quarter all contributed to this disappointing defeat against Coventry Elite.
A below par “Thunder” lost all four quarters of the game but the 12-30 deficit in the second proved to be decisive. During that ten-minute period Elite’s, Kelly scored 15 of his 19 points despite the best efforts of the “Thunder” defenders CLICK HERE to download the Press Release
Press Release 5 - A successful weekend for the Northants Basketball Club
The Northants Junior Men made it three win from three National League starts with a convincing win over Warwickshire “Hawks”.
The two teams traded scores at the start of the game but a 10-3 charge and a brace of three pointers at the end saw “Thunder” take the first quarter 24-12 and this lead was extended to 43-21 by half time. “Hawks” started the third quarter in spirited fashion opening with an 8-3 run but nine personal points from Benas Maldutis restored “Thunder’s” superiority. By the end of the quarter “Thunder” had established a commanding 62-34 lead and the game was over as a contest CLICK HERE to download the Press Release
Press Release 4 - Junior Men maintain their 100% record.
The Northants Junior Men travelled to Oxford to take on new boys Oxford” Hoops” and were confronted by a team boasting a clear height advantage. Looking to play up-tempo basketball “Thunder” edged the first quarter 22-16 an advantage they extended to 48-32 by half time despite the introduction into the game of Oxford’s seven-footer Litsko.
It was a very determined “Hoops” team that took to the floor after the half time break and they took the quarter 18-8 thanks to some poor “Thunder” shooting, to reduced the deficit to just six points. Stern words from coach Darjius Maldutis and a spread floor offence in the fourth quarter allied to some determined defence led by Jack Lemon saw the initiative swing back in “Thunder’s” favour. They took the quarter 18-8 to run out winners by 74 points to 54 so maintaining their perfect start to the season. CLICK HERE to download the Press Release
Press Release 3 - A full house for the Northants Basketball Club.
“Tornadoes” arrived at the Northants Basketball Centre with just six players. Like so many clubs they had struggled to register players on Basketball England’s Membership Portal.
Despite being short-handed the Coventry boys gave a good account of themselves especially in the third quarter which they won 16-13, this after losing the first quarter 26-14. Not surprisingly the visitors ‘ran out of gas’ in the second half which “Thunder” took 39-18 to run out winners by 78 points to 48.
In the thirty point win “Thunder” had five players scoring in double figures led by Benas Maldutis with 14, Jack Lemon had 13 points with Tom Greenfield, Ellis Phillips and Rapolas Radavicius also making major contributions CLICK HERE to download the Press Release
Press Release 2 - Age group National League set to get underway.
This weekend sees the start of the National League season after last weekend’s Cup games, and not for the first time there are problems about the viability of some teams. The Northants Under 14 Girls and “Storm” Under 12’s were both due to play Birmingham “Elite” but they were informed late on Monday that “Elite” would be able to field teams.
Several games will take place with the Under 15 and Under 18 Boys facing Nuneaton “Predators” and Coventry “Tornadoes” respectively on Saturday. On Sunday the Under 13 Girls will take on Leicester “Riders” and Kettering “Phoenix” in the newly established YBL Under 13 Girls League CLICK HERE to download the Press Release
Press Release 1
Recent events would seem to indicate that the sport of basketball is set for another period of growth, certainly in the county of Northamptonshire. Over the summer months the Northants Basketball Club has received a large number of enquiries from prospective players and this interest was born out last week when well over 100 new boys and girls tried out for the ten teams the club will be running this season. This total was over the boys and girls already selected.
Club President, John Collins was delighted with the turn out and attributed it to the popularity of the recently re-furbished Northampton Racecourse site plus the success of the England team in the Commonwealth Games 3 x 3 competition.