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NATIONAL TROPHY MATCH REPORTS; OCTOBER

Clubs' reports from the National Trophy, in reverse date order. 

Magic Make Good Use of Win.

Manchester Magic: 96   Hull Icebergs: 50.

There was a relaxed air about the Magic camp before this game, with their bench looking like a who’s who of young British basketball talent and the Icebergs looking as if some of the squad had missed the bus. But the game did not start that way, with the lively Hull side  down by only 2 points after 7 minutes.

It took a couple of smart moves by Callum Jones to wake his side up to their capabilities and the Magic closed the quarter 25-12 ahead. From then on, coach Jeff Jones could use the game as an extended practice match, giving all his players plenty of court time. Notable in this respect was young Alan Metcalfe, who played over half the game and led the team in rebounds, along with the highly experienced Pluto Vourliotis, back in the  squad and contributing in all areas.

Wayne Mulgrave was prominent in the second quarter, with three 3 pointers and Alex Hodgson, revelling in his extended court time, had one of his best games for the club.

Steven Gayle closed the half with a nice three pointer to put the Magic  50-26 ahead.

In the second half, the Icebergs’ shortage of numbers really told on them and, despite trying hard to the bitter end, kept going  by their player-coach, long-time Manchester favourite Kevin Penny, they could not contain the exuberance of the Magic youngsters and ended the third quarter 72-32 in arrears.

With both teams still showing signs of quality, the game then drifted to its inevitable conclusion and, as so often happens, it was Wayne Mulgrave who wrapped the game up for the Magic with two well-taken free throws with 12 seconds to go.

In spite of this convincing win, it looks as if the Magic may make no more progress in this competition, because of results elsewhere, but Jeff Jones must be delighted by the way his team is moving. The Conference season starts next weekend, with an away game at Solent, but the next home game is against Reading, on the 16^th November.

Magic Top Scorers: Wayne Mulgrave: 22 Steven Gayle:17 Alex Hodgson: 14

Another Fine Win for Magic 2.

The Club’s team in the National League 2^nd Division, the Magic 2, coached by Neil Bradley, is having a fine start to the season. They continued their 100% run on Saturday with a win away against Stoke Stealers by 85-75. They are now in joint first place in the Division with Liverpool and it should be a fascinating clash on Saturday when the two sides meet at the Amaechi Basketball Centre. Tip-off is at 4.00 p.m. and admission is free.

National Trophy 26/10/02

HACKNEY WHITE HEAT 88  BLACK COUNTRY BEARS 60

Hackney White Heat reached the quarter finals of the National Trophy with a convincing 88-60 victory over the Black Country Bears at the Space Centre on Saturday.  And to make the win all the sweeter, they unearthed yet another player from the conveyor belt of outstanding young English talent that coaches Joe White and Richard Fergus continue to produce.

This time it was 15 year old Paul Guede who caught everyone eye with a performance of stunning maturity for one so young.  He utilised his all round court vision to be his sides second highest scorer with 17 points as the East Londoners secured second place in their pool.

With Perry Lawson opening proceedings with consecutive 3-pointers, Hackney were never headed and a 22-10 first quarter lead all but settled matters.  The Midland side, with a number of very experienced players struggled to make inroads, although former Birmingham Bullet, Tony Simms produced moments of good skills.  But four 3-pointers in the second quarter from the home side gave them a convincing 54-28 half time advantage.

Not unnaturally the White Heat, who were missing top marksman Franck Batimba through injury, relaxed slightly in the third stanza, but edged the period by 1 to maintain their advantage.  The final quarter saw Lawson and Hackney captain Grant Ebanja score with regularity as the home side closed out comfortable winners. Lawson led all scorers with 19 followed by Guede on 17 and Ebanja 16.  For the Bears Simms had 17 with Blake on 14 and Richards 12.

Hackney's reward for qualifying is the short trip to last year's triple title holders Teesside Mohawks, who recently defeated BBL side Leicester.  However the team will be in good heart after a promising start to the season.

Next Saturday Hackney open their Conference League program when Plymouth Raiders are the visitors.  The West Country team are always a force in the competition and their early season results show this again to be the case.  The match is at the Space Centre in Hackney, tip-off 8 pm.

National Trophy 26/10/02

Solent Stars 67, Adam Willis 14, Mark Jackson 13, David Butterworth 12, Jon Neale 10, Anthony Rutter 7, Ollie Marsh 5, Trevor Donaldson 3, Alan McDonald 3.

National Trophy 19&20/10/02

Match Reports by Graham Blankley

In a weekend which saw a feast of Basketball at Mansfield Leisure Centre the team continued to improve, whilst bringing in it’s youth it put up two excellent performances against top class opposition in last years Division 1 double winners Derbyshire Arrows and top Conference outfit Manchester Magic. Yes they were two defeats but turned out to be triumphs for two players in twenty year old Gary Collins a product of the Nottingham Nova programme and currently a student with West Notts College and part of the joint Basketball programme linked with Express. The other performance was again by a student at he Academy, Jamacian Andrew ‘dunkin’ Duncan who is clearly benefiting by his coaching there, his performance must rank as probably one of the best ever by an Express player with amazing statistics to back it up. In both games the Express fielded 5 or 6 players at 21 and under and were not disgraced in either. Lacking top scorer Hilroy Thomas and three point specialist Dylan Bogg, guard Pete Olusoga and new signing Dave Jones these were performances to be proud of.

MANSFIELD EXPRESS 66 DERBYSHIRE ARROWS 79

The game started with local hero 18 year old Jamie McGaffin hitting a downtown three to rock the Arrows but this was followed up with fast transition play from the champions and Morris Young replied with nine points in the quarter. Garnet Gayle was commanding his troops but  they were unable to hold the scoring prowess of Andrew Duncan who hit seven or the distribution of the ver improving starter Gary Collins. Baskets were being traded throughout and points from with Drew  Barrett, Martin Ford and Darren Weaver also scoring the game was being played at a great pace in front of a bumper Saturday night crowd and the first quarter ended all square at 18-18.

Express went into an early lead in the second and were a match for Derbyshire until the visitors piled on a 13 point run without reply in the run up to half time with the rot being stopped by a Drew Barrett lay up. The damage, however, was done with and without doubt this was the quarter in which Express lost the game. Arrows and last seasons division one player of the season, Canadian Jeff Bevington did all the damage with eight points personal in the quarter. Gary Collins continued to for a score and hit two spectacular lay-ups. The teams went in at half time with the visitors outscoring Express 28-15 and the score 46-33 in favour of the Arrows.

Sometimes local derby’s fail to live up to expectations and the third quarter was the low point of the game, Express held Arrows but in a low scoring quarter the visitors edged it 16 –14 and went into the final quarter 62-47 up. Andrew Duncan hit seven with captain Drew Barrett hitting four out of four from the free throw line and Gary Collins was playing his best ever game for Express. For the visitors Bevington hit six and Waite hit 8.

The fourth quarter belonged to Express and in particular Gary Collins who hit six personal and was running the floor for the home side, further points from Barrett, Duncan, Ford and Darren Weaver saw Express win the quarter 19-17 with Bevington hitting eleven of the visitors total. Good contributions from Chris Law, Jamie McGaffin Ben Coy and seventeen year old Stephen Bateman saw Express loose but not disgraced at 79-66.

This was Gary Collins game with twelve personal, 5 out of seven from the floor, 100% from the free throw line, four rebounds three assists it was a masterly performance.

Top Scorers for Express Andrew Duncan(17), Drew Barrett(16), Gary Collins(12) and Martin Ford and Darren Weaver eight apiece. Arrows: Bevington (31), Morris Young(13) and Rick Marsh(10). Garnet Gayle also collected an amazing ten assists and six rebounds and Bevington an incredible 13 rebounds.

MANSFIELD EXPRESS 91 MANCHESTER MAGIC 98

This game saw what must be ranked as possibly the best ever-personal performance by an Express player in over four years at National level. Andrew Duncan hit 43 points (just four of the Express all time record), two offensive and eleven defensive rebounds, hitting 17 out of 18 field shots and an amazing(for Andrew) nine out of thirteen free throws all in just 34 minutes on court.

Again the team included five ‘youngsters’ against a team with five players over 6’ 6” tall. In a game which was much faster and more exciting than the Saturday night game.  Express with Dave Greenaway back in the side looked like a shock could be on the cards as they went after the Conference giants of Manchester Magic.

Duncan was on fire in this quarter and was picking up everything going and was eventually to hit 14 points personal in the quarter, the team were competing much more strongly for rebounds under the Basket with Martin Ford using his strength and experience to make an impact. Drew Barrett was also very influential in ‘running the floor and with Gary Collins and Jamie McGaffin’s fine distribution Express went in to a first quarter lead of 22-17.

The second quarter saw continued great play from Andrew Duncan and even more points from Drew Barrett supported by an influential role by Coach Martin Ford. The key to beating Magic would be holding forty points a game player, lighting quick Stephen Gayle. Gayle started to pick his game in this quarter scoring seven personal and was becoming more and more a thorn in the side of Express. The ‘big guys’ of Manchester were starting to have an impact and putting rebounds away as the Magic started to claw their way back. In a high scoring quarter Magic pulled out a seven point run towards the end of the quarter but a downtown three from Barrett and two points from Duncan saw Express still in the game despite being down 48-46 at half time.

Four more points from Andrew Duncan at the beginning of the third saw Express go into a two-point lead. Nottingham’s Anthony Hausse brought the game level for the Magic before Express came back through Barrett, then four from Gayle for Magic, reply by Duncan and then……  This is where Magic pulled out an eight point run to lead 67-58 before the ever improving Jamie McGaffin hit a lay up, last word to Stephen Gayle to see the visitors go in with a nine point advantage at 69-60.

Express were still in the game and the crowd could sense it and the commitment was there to be seen and the crowd were responding to the teams efforts. By this time Andrew Duncan was on 31 points and not even starting to look tired, the quarter was nip and tuck with Ben Coy starting to show his qualities for Express. Mc Gaffin opened the scoring for Express, and with some five minutes to go with great defence and scoring from in particular Martin Ford  and Andrew Duncan Express had trimmed the Magic Lead back to five. In came Stephen Gayle for Magic with six points from the free throw line and the game looked over but Express kept coming back and Dave Greenaway was playing his best Basketball of the game hitting five personal. The game ended in fine style for Express with Drew Barrett hitting a long three but no upset this time with Conference high flyers edging it at 98-91. Bring on Ware Rebels next Sunday the team seems to be improving every game and with a thirty point win at Ware some two weeks ago hopes are high for the first home victory.

Top Scorers for Express: Adrew Duncan(43), Martin Ford and Drew Barrett(17 each). Manchester Magic Top Scorers: Gayle(32), Thompson(16) and Mulgrave(15)

National Trophy 19&20/10/02

Magic March Towards Trophy.

Manchester Magic’s exciting young team took a massive step towards a possible first trophy when they progressed towards the quarter finals of the National Trophy competition. Two solid wins, against Ware Rebels, new members of the NBL Conference and Mansfield Express, moved them towards a place in the last eight and none of the other qualifiers will relish meeting them.

After the thriller of the week before, when the Magic came within a whisker of beating top BBl side Birmingham Bullets, the performance by the Magic on Saturday was a bit lack-lustre, with one or two players below their best form. Nevertheless, they started with a 24-6 run and ended the first half 45-32 ahead. Like all the teams in this competition, the Rebels never give up and they came back strongly to get within  five points with five minutes to go, but the Magic showed their class, rediscovered their scoring touch and ran out winners by 90-79.

 Magic top-scorers were:

Steven Gayle: 32  Wayne Mulgrave: 12 Haris Charalambous: 11.

The team travelled to Mansfield on Sunday and won an uninspiring game by 98-91. For the second game in a row, one of the team’s junior big men figured on the top-scorers list. This time it was 17 year old Andrew Thompson, who has adapted to the Senior game with remarkable assurance, who scored 16 points. Other top scorers were the ever-reliable captain, Wayne Mulgrave (15 points)and Steven Gayle (32 points).

The Magic’s next home game is on Saturday, 26^th October at 7.30 p.m. at the Amaechi Basketball Centre. Opponents are Hull Icebergs, in the last of the National Trophy qualifiers. A win would confirm the Magic’s position in the quarter-finals.

100% Weekend at the Club.

The versatility of the facility at the Amaechi Centre was shown on Saturday, when seven National League home games, including the Magic’s, were played there. Every game ended in a win for the home team. Results as follows:

Manchester Magic 2: 85   Northumbria University: 70

Manchester Under 18: 70 Notts Nova: 48

Trafford Under 18: 79 Derbyshire Arrows: 56

Manchester Under 16: 103: Notts Nova: 52

Trafford Under 16: 88 Derbyshire Arrows: 61

Manchester Under 16 Girls: 62 Stockport:61

National Trophy 20/10/02

After the BLACK COUNTRY BEARS team selection was dictated by referee Keith Bruce who refused to officiate if one of the new BEARS players was included as an after effect of an altercation between the referee and this player when he had appeared for the Bullets Juniors last season, despite the fact that the player had been dealt with by the League and band for the remainder of last season, coach Alan Hunt brought in veteran Emil Gaynor along side Alan Bean and Pat Morrison who had come into the side as replacements for injured stars Carl White and Clive Allen.

The visitors KINGSTON WILDCATS arrived with only eight players, which included England player Jeremiah, and found the BEARS eager to redeem themselves for the loss the previous weekend. Led by youngster Wayne Robinson and veteran Tony Simms the BEARS shaded the first quarter 23-20 but couldn’t sustain this effort in the second quarter as the visitors, inspired by some three point shooting from Jeremiah and Vear, saw KINGSTON up by ten points 37-47 at the end of the first half.

Swift passing from the WILDCATS and a high percentage of attempted field goals converted took them to a 15 point lead within just four minutes of the re-start before Alvin Scott and Tony Simms took matters into their own hands. Simms from the line had a perfect 100% average making 8 from 8 (what a difference to last week), whilst Scott with his deft hook shot delivered some ‘knockout blows’ to pull the deficit back to just 5 to start the final quarter.

Again it was Scott who dominated the KINGSTON boards hitting seven points in the quarter which included the steal on the halfway line and the ensuing converted lay up by him to tie the scores at 81-81 with only 2 seconds remaining that forced overtime.

Into 5 minutes of overtime and it was the BEARS who now had the momentum and quickly went ahead when Robinson hit a three from deep in the right hand corner. WILCATS uncharacteristically missed one of their shots from the foul line as the pressure and fatigue of an under manned bench finally caught up with them. The teams traded baskets down the stretch until the buzzer signalled a BEARS (first in this competition) victory by the final score of 92 pts to 88 pts.

The BEARS travel to HACKNEY WHITE HEAT on Saturday 26^th October for the last group game in this pre-season Trophy competition and then prepare to take on TEAM BATH ROMANS (formerly known as BRISTOL BOMBERS) in the ‘BEAR PIT’ at the CRYSTAL LEISURE CENTRE in the first home game of the Division One season “proper” on Sunday 3^rd November tipping off at 4 pm. This should prove to be quite a game as the BEARS dented the BOMBERS ego when they beat the favourites in the Division II Play Off Final at Coventry Skydome last May to become overall champions of combined Division.

BLACK COUNTRY BEARS 92 O/T (23, 37 64, 81) Scorers Scott 26, Simms 19, Robinson 16

KINGSTON WILDCATS            88 O/T (20, 47, 69, 81) Scorers Jeremiah 29, Vear 19, Poynton

National Trophy 12&13/10/02

The BLACK COUNTRY BEARS found life against Conference teams opponents READING ROCKETS and HACKNEY WHITE HEAT in their ‘double header’ of NBL Trophy games this weekend much harder than they had expected.

The Saturday evening trip to Reading with what on paper seemed a strong side, which included returning hero Tony Simms and new signing ex Coventry Crusader Alvin Scott, led coach Alan Hunt to believe that the Bears could repay the Rockets for the single point buzzer beating defeat in the Trophy opener three weekends ago and open the Bears winning account in this competition.

But that was not to be as the Bears just could not get into their game and even last seasons scoring machine Carl white lost his silky skills to record only six points all night compared to his last season average of 21 points per game.

Yet again awful free throw shooting resulted in only 10 conversions from 26 visits with uncharacteristically Tony Simms being one of the main culprits. This coupled with a lack of coolness when confronted by some weird Welsh interpretations of the rules from a referee that thankfully the Bears did not have to pay for meant the Bears never got in front on the scoreboard in the match.

When frustration eventually flared up in the heat of the moment point guard Hall, new boy Robinson and veteran Simms all collected technical fouls and exiled them to the bench and end any realistic hopes of Bears pulling the game out of the fire with over 6 minutes still left in the 4^th quarter.

In their worst defeat in three seasons of National League basketball the Bears slumped to their third consecutive defeat by a margin of 22 points.

READING ROCKETS        100

BLACK COUNTRY BEARS 78            Top Scorers:- Hall 18, Simms 13 and Allen 9

Opening their programme at their new home at the CRYSTAL LEISURE CENTRE in Stourbridge the following day, an expectant crowd of over 250 people (which included Dudley Councillors and dignitaries) anxious to cheer on the Bears, had to wait until 5 pm before the game against Hackney White Heat could start. This was due to an alleged hold up on the motorway from London which resulted in the opposition arriving almost two hours later than they should have.

Nevertheless in their ankle length shorts, most with the waistband well below their centre of gravity, Heat proceeded to show the Bears that basketball is a tough game and they certainly knew how to play it (even if number 10’s modesty outshone his undoubted skill with the ball with an even greater display of petulance and back chat which eventually led to two technical fouls and a seat on the bench in the last quarter).

Yet again the Bears ‘Achilles Heel’ proved to be converting unopposed shots from the foul line hitting only 16 from 28 although this was a slight improvement on the seasons total of 19 from 59!

The game started well enough for the Bears who shot into an 8-3 lead, but as in the game the night before, the team could just not get into their true rhythm and as the more athletic visitors pounded the boards at both ends cracks began to appear in the Bears game plan.

Easy lay ups were missed and then ripped from the boards by the leaping White Heat to set up fast breaks against which the Bears had no answer. Turn overs by even the coolest of heads Mike Landell under stern pressure from Lawson of the Heat and with Carl White still unable to find his shooting boots an unsettled Bears team failed to gain at lead at the end of any of the four quarters.

BLACK COUNTRY BEARS  55            Top Scorers: Landell 12, Richards 11 and Allen 10

HACKNEY WHITE HEAT     61

National Trophy 12/10/02

Ware Rebels 90 - 119 Mansfield Express

Ware Rebels suffered a surprising defeat at the hands of Mansfied Express last Saturday, with the biggest score against them for 4 years.

Hopes were high going into the game. Ware had not lost to Mansfield for 3 years, having played them 8 times in that time. Added to this was the key players returning to the Rebels line up in the shape of Barry Gooch, Alan Prescott and Paul Edwards. Further still was the debut of Leon Noel. All the expectation was for a home win, perhaps so much so a hint of
complacency set in.

The Express had added to players to their starting line up after signing Hilroy Thomas and Drew Barrett, which added to Bogg and Duncan gave a much better look to the Express than in previous years.

They started well and took the game to Ware, and the sides traded baskets in the opening stages. Captain Alan Prescott started well for the Rebels in his first competetive game for 6 months.

Thomas and Barrett made the difference early on, scoring basket after basket. Mansfield pulled away in the face of almost non-existent defence from Ware. Leon Noel was brought on towards the end of the quarter and had immediate impact, scoring freely.

However, even with Noel's presence, Ware could not seem to lift themselves defensively and the Express continued to score, making Rebels go into the locker room 15 down 50-65.

The half time break however could not stop Rebels giving Mansfield easy baskets, and they continued to break down the defence at will. Thomas continued to score, missing only one shot during the entire game. Rebels just could not seem to pull themselves out of a lacklustre defence and therefore had no way back into the game.

There were many reasons one could attribute this defeat in part to, not the least of which a truly terrible display by the referees, but none of which could excuse such sloppy defence. Coach Clark has told his players that the defensive effort must be far better than displayed during this game if the Rebels hope to compete in the Conference.

Ware: Noel 30 pts, Scott 14pts, Edwards 12pts, Churches 11pts, Prescott 9pts, Matthews 9pts, Gooch 3pts, Burgess 2pts

EXPRESS annihilate REBELS

Mansfield Express 119 – Ware Rebels 90

Match Report by Chris Dugdell (Team Manager)

With no Pete Olusoga or Darren Weaver (injury and illness respectively) Coach Martin Ford brought in benchman Chris Law and new signing Welsh International Dave Jones from Leicester City Riders for this important Trophy match in Hertfordshire. Coach Ford, confident of victory, instilled this belief into his team and they ran out easy victors of Conference side Ware Rebels by 119 points to 90.

Newly promoted Ware included new signing Leon Noel who last year was under Coach Ford at BBL team Milton Keynes. Pointed out as being a potential threat by Coach Ford, Noel went on to prove this by amassing a game high 30pts – exactly one third of his team’s total. But it was to be the combined scoring of Mansfield’s Hilroy Thomas (26pts), Andrew Duncan (24pts), Drew Barrett (23pts) and Dylan Bogg (19pts) along with scoring contributions from five other Express players that brought about this victory. A stunning display of passing, ball control, shooting and defence saw the sparse Ware crowd totally silenced as Express outplayed the home team in every department.

From the tip-off Express took the lead and when an early time-out was called by Ware Coach Mark Clark, as Express then led by 18 to 14, an immediate response from Leon Noel saw Ware establish a lead and at the end of the first quarter, Express were down by one point at 25 – 26.

A high scoring first quarter was eclipsed by a blistering second quarter where Express shot an amazing 40 points whilst restricting Ware to just 24 and so at half-time, Express led by 65 to 50. During this quarter, Express were actually down by 34 to 40 when Coach Ford called for a time-out as Ware no 6 Edwards had found his range with four big three pointers. This was awarded at a point when Express no.10 Dylan Bogg was fouled in the act of making a three point shot. The referee’s decision clearly annoying Ware no.11 Scott who promptly kicked the wall in frustration. This decision and many others by the officials, led to cries of disbelief from both benches. By now, only Noel was scoring for Ware whilst Bogg, Thomas and Dave Greenaway were finding the basket for Express. A time-out called by Coach Clark with Express leading by 47 to 42 had no effect other than for Express to continue outscoring Ware by an impressive 18 to 8.

From the start of the third quarter, often the start of a downturn in Express performance, actually saw the exact opposite as the Express team piled on the pressure outscoring Ware by 31 to 17. During this time, with Express leading by some twenty points, the Ware coach, known to many Express supporters for his antics at Mansfield Leisure Centre last season, picked up a Technical foul, as did his captain Prescott. Dylan Bogg comfortably converted the resultant free throws. Mention has to be made of an unbelievable pass (assist) from Hilroy Thomas to Drew Barrett for him to score an excellent downtown 3 pointer. The final points of this quarter fell to Ben Coy and Express finished 96 –67 in front.

The fourth quarter was a bit of an anti-climax, as both teams tired and Ware could see the match slipping out of their grasp. Scoring was shared at 23 apiece. However further technical fouls were awarded against two other Ware players. As Mansfield approached the magical 100, Dylan Bogg lined up for a typical three pointer but his mind must have been on his forthcoming Florida holiday as he missed, Ware picked up the rebound and promptly fast-breaked to the opposite end to score. Appropriately it fell to Hilroy Thomas to push Express through the ‘ton’ following a return assist by Drew Barrett.

With the start five visibly tiring, and with points in the bag, Coach Ford played his remaining benchmen and all bar one found themselves on the scoresheet. It was left to Big Ben Coy to score the final basket with an impressive dunk – as instructed by his teammates!

Final scorers for Mansfield Express: Hilroy Thomas – 26 : Andrew Duncan – 24 : Drew Barrett – 23 : Dylan Bogg – 19 : Ben Coy – 7 : Dave Greenaway – 7 : Gary Collins – 5 : Dave Jones – 5 : Jamie McGaffin – 3 : Chris Law – 0.

National Trophy 12/10/02

National Trophy 12/10/02

HACKNEY WHITE HEAT 100  KINGSTON WILDCATS 78

Hackney White Heat's senior side recorded their first victory of the season with a convincing win over depleted Kingston Wildcats at the Space Centre on Saturday evening.  The Surrey side were missing a number of senior players, following incidents after their National Cup match against Leopards on Thursday.

Hackney opened brightly with Damien Modeste finding his way to the basket as they took an early 6-2 lead.  Kingston replied with a three-pointer from Captain Mark Poynton, one of 12 the team scored on the night, but that was the closest they would get in the entire contest.  The pressure defence of the home side started to bear fruit leading to two dunks from Modeste off of his own steals and when Franck Batimba made his presence felt with 5 quick points, the lead was 27-12 at the end of the first period.

However the second quarter saw a spirited fightback from the Wildcats as Mark Bottiglia and Chris Jeremiah brought their side back into the game with some excellent long range shooting.   Six three-pointers in the period threatened to cause an upset, although a late 3 from White Heat's Perry Lawson restored the margin to 48-41 at the half.

The third quarter really settled matters as Modeste and Batimba created havoc around the basket.  Kingston constantly struggled against Hackney's stifling defence, as the scoreline moved to 74-57 with just 10 minutes remaining; the home sides Kieron Parris defying his small stature with some outstanding offensive rebounding.

The final period saw Batimba continue to score at will and although Bottiglia, Poynton and Jeremiah continued to battle it was to no avail as the hosts ran out comfortable victors by 100 points to 78.  Batimba 27, Modeste 20 and Lawson 16 led the way for Hackney, Poynton 20, Bottiglia 18 and Jeremiah 16 the high scorers for Kingston.

Hackney play their final Trophy Group match on Saturday when they entertain the Black Country Bears at the Space Centre, tip-off 8 pm.

National Trophy 05/10/02 and  06/10/02

TVL Mohawks completed National Trophy doubles over both Mansfield and Ware at the weekend, stretching their winning sequence to seven games from seven outings and with it earning a place in the quarter finals of the competition with three games still to play.

Unlike the five previous outings, Tony Hanson’s side never looked like surrendering their hard-earned early leads and disposed of both opponents in clinical fashion – Mansfield by 32 points and Ware by 31.

Hanson even had enough in hand to bring in another two new faces for their senior debuts, taking the number of players used so far to 14.

Whether the results give any indication of the side’s prospects going into Saturday’s NTL Cup tie against top British Basketball League (BBL) side Leicester Riders at Eston Sports Academy is open to question. 

Hanson clearly did not put all his cards on the table with Riders’ coach Billy Mims taking a keen interest from the bleachers at Mansfield, while unlucky Ware Rebels travelled to Teesside with only three of their preferred squad after suffering a late spate of injuries.

The Hertfordshire outfit were fortunate to find their hosts engaging in 40 minutes of experimentation.  Realistically they could have been trekking back south with a deficit of 50 plus points and can count themselves lucky to have scored over half a century themselves.

A number of conference league teams have fallen victim to giant killing acts by lower league opposition, a trap which Mohawks themselves have so far avoided.

Skipper Jason Swaine said: “We really can’t complain at the moment. We are on a run and have yet to slip up, although we nearly did against Manchester recently.

“But we’ve got to play the teams that are there and no disrespect to Ware, who weren’t that strong, we just got on with it and took it very professionally.”

Mansfield went into Saturday’s fixture feeling confident of a close game after being the first side to restrict Mohawks to less than 90 points in over a year when the sides met just a week earlier at Eston.

But there was never any doubt as to who would take the two points, with Mohawks quickly stamping their authority on the game and racing into a 16-6 lead by the fifth minute. 

The second five minutes of the opening quarter were almost as productive, Hanson’s side sinking another 14 to Mansfield’s seven to take a 17 point lead into the first break.

Quarter two proved to be a battle of the big guns.  And it was Mohawks’ Ralph Bucci who just edged ahead of home hotshot Hilroy Thomas with a personal tally of 14 against twelve for the Express player as the lead increased to 31 with less than four minutes on the first half clock. 

Amongst Bucci’s contribution was a three pointer that came after a quite stunning passage of play that involved 7 or 8 lightening quick passes round the court before feeding out to the New Yorker outside the arc while the Mansfield defence was left chasing shadows.

Only in the final 45 seconds of the half did the foot come off the gas, allowing Mansfield a rare luxury of a 9-2 run to finish off the first twenty minutes.  But the game was effectively already over at 62-37 in Mohawks’ favour.

The atmosphere would have been very relaxed in the dressing room during the interval after arguably the most complete first half performance so far this season by Hanson’s side.  Defensive steals and interceptions, of which there were several, were quickly converted into points, while only one free throw failed to hit the target.

A nervous start to the second half saw both sides miss the opening scoring opportunities.  But when the points did come it was home players Dylan Bogg and Drew Barrett who got in with the first four points before Steve Pilkington bagged his own rebound. 

The first of two consecutive low-scoring quarters was notable only for a basket from James Nicholson off a Swaine assist after another defensive interception by EJ Harrison, and two points on the last play from Mark Greenwood, the Middlesbrough College under 20s player who was given his first senior outing.

Coach Hanson opted to protect some of his players for the next day’s home fixture and sent out a line up of Swaine, Nicholson, Steve Butler, Greenwood and Neil Campbell for the final quarter. 

Butler made the most of the opportunity, sinking a couple of threes to ensure that he joined top-scorer Bucci (26pts), Harrison (21) and Steve Pilkington (16) in scoring double figures.  Jon Stonebridge found himself fouled out with a minute to go.

There was much sympathy for Ware’s predicament.  Many believed that the Herts club could improve on their recent home performance when they held Mohawks to just an 8 point win despite courting an understrength line-up.  But the published team list was all but wiped out through injury, leaving a scratch side to try to turn the formbook on its head.

Mohawks’, with staffing problems of their own, called up yet another new player, this time David Urwin, who took to the court alongside Mark Greenwood after both had played the bulk of Middlesbrough College’s win over East Houghall and Durham College less than half an hour earlier on the same court.

Mohawks took full advantage of the visitors’ plight right from the tip off, with Steve Butler, who was given a rare place in the staring five, enjoying his spell in the limelight and helping himself to 9 points for the first quarter after skipper Jason Swaine was amongst several people, including one of the referees, who were caught out by the earlier tip off.

Runs of 13-0 and 15-0 helped the home side carve out an incredible 39-10 lead going into the second session, which produced another battering that gave Mohawks a 40 point lead at the interval.

In one of the most bizarre twists Hanson chose to switch five players at a time and not go for the massacre that could undoubtedly have ensued.  Swaine, who went on to top-score despite missing the start, ended his side’s scoring with a three in the seventh minute.  Thereafter the final 11 points of the game were scored by Rebels’ Dave Churches and Dan Scott, while debutant David Urwin got his marching orders in the final minute after amassing five fouls.

It will be all fingers crossed that everyone comes through Thursday’s trip to Hull unscathed as the side looks ahead to the biggest challenge of the season so far, the visit of professional Leicester Riders on Saturday.

Scorers.

Mansfield Express (67):  Pete Olusoga 5, Hilroy Thomas 22, Gary Collins 6, Drew Barrett 7, Dylan Bogg 11, Andrew Duncan 9, Dave Greenaway 1, Darren Weaver 6.

TVL Mohawks       (99):  Mark Greenwood 4, Steve Pilkington 16, James Nicholson 6, Jason Swaine 9, Paul Douglas 5, Steve Butler 10, Jon Stoenbridge 2, Ralph Bucci 26, EJ Harrison 21.

TVL Mohawks (108):  David Urwin 4, Steve Pilkington 14, James Nicholson 10, Jason Swaine 23, Paul Douglas 1, Steve Butler 19, Mark Greenwood 2, Jon Stonebridge 6, Ralph Bucci 19, EJ Harrison 10.

Ware Rebels     (77): Dan Johnson 3, Matt Eames 20, Dan Scott 22, Joe Matthews 12, Dave Churches 18, Sean Sandford 2.

National Trophy 06/10/02

Derbyshire Arrows 75 Mansfield Express 44   

Match report by Graham Blankley

It is a cliché but this was a game of two halves with Express dominating the first and Derbyshire Arrows running away with the second.

In a desperately low scoring first quarter the Express defence was stopping virtually everything that the Arrows could throw at them, Express were dominating whilst not putting away what were normally easy baskets. They  came out of the first quarter two down with top scorer this season Hilroy Thomas getting in to early foul trouble which was subsequently going to see him spending long periods of the game sat on the bench. If not for the misses Express would have gone in with a good lead.

The second quarter continued in the same fashion with Express, led by Drew Barrett,  dominating the game and that was without Hilro who had already picked up three fouls by this stage, again chances were missed but Express looked to be going in to a ten point half time lead until two very late three point shots were drilled in by the Arrows and Express went in to the dressing room 4 points clear at 32-28.

The second half saw a change of tactics from Derbyshire who were swinging the ball and making space for three point shots which were hit with deadly accuracy. Despite great work from an ever improving Gary Collins Derbyshire had turned the game in to a ten point advantage at 52-42.

In a quarter which saw both Andrew Duncan and Hilroy Thomas both fouled out,  Derbyshire ran the floor at speed and hit 23 points, and what is a poor record for Express they only hit two pints and despite the great performance in the first half were convincingly beaten by probably the best player in the League, Canadian Jeff Bevington. The final score was a disappointing 75 – 44 in favour of the Chesterfield based team.  

National Trophy 05/10/02

Mansfield Express 67 Teesside Mohawks 99

Match report by Graham Blankley

This was always going to be tough test against a team undefeated in this competition for the past three years and so it proved to be with Teeside proving to strong for an Express side with a mixture of youth and experience. This trophy group has been described as the ‘group of death’ with 3 conference sides, Teeside who have won the trophy for the past three seasons, Manchester who finished in the top four of the Conference last year and are expected to win or be second to Teeside at the end of the Season. Add to this Ware newly promoted and Derbyshire Arrows who completed the Division 1 double last season only to be denied entry to the Conference due to a Technicality. The new boys to Express were not expected to win many games but this group is so strong there is no doubt that this a serious baptism of fire for the new coach and his team.

In front of another great Mansfield crowd the game started well with Dylan Bogg scoring the first basket of the night but this was followed by a deluge of points from a talented Teeside team who were leaving nothing to chance following their close encounter the week before. Despite good scoring from Hilroy Thomas and another downtown three from Dylan Bogg,  stunning play from the visitors, led by ex Sheffield Shark Jason Swaine saw them race in to a first quarter lead at 13 – 30.

The second quarter was much improved for Express with them hitting 24 points, 12 of which were from Hilroy Thomas the visitors outscored Express hitting 32 and leading at half time by 25 points at 37 –62.

At the start of the second half  Bogg hit a 20 foot jumper to kick off the proceedings but with Mohawks EJ Harrison scoring some 25 points by this stage it was proving difficult for Express to cut into the visitors lead. This quarter was a triumph for ex- Leicester Rider man Drew Barrett who is starting to find his feet in Mansfield and scoring seven personal in this quarter. Express  lost ever improving guard Pete Olusoga who will be out for at least two weeks. Despite great efforts from Gary Collins and Darren Weaver Teesside outscored Express by 3 and finished the half  with a comfortable 53-81 lead.

The question for the fourth was could Express become only the second club to hold Teeside to less than 100 points in 18 months, this responsibility was given to the development players and a very quiet Andrew Duncan. Gary Collins with four, Andrew Duncan stepped up his game and hit 7 and excellent defensive and distribution by Jamie McGaffin and Ben Coy kept the rampant Mohawks to 99 points. Against stunning opposition the younger players showed that they could play against and compete with what is clearly a very fine side and with the West Notts Basketball Academy link with the club the future looks bright.

National Trophy 05/10/02

MANCHESTER MAGIC 98-72 DERBYSHIRE ARROWS

Smarting from last week’s defeat by the Arrows, the Magic were determined to do better in this return encounter in the National Trophy competition, but from the tip, the Arrows moved into a confident lead, at one time eight points in the first quarter, moving the ball sweetly, defending strongly and hitting their three-pointers. Sensing a rout, Magic coach Jeff Jones took a gamble by bringing on a team of mainly quick, small guards who immediately started to turn the game round to end the quarter 20-25 down.

The same five started the second quarter with Antony Haase doing duty under both baskets. Two minutes later, they had a one point lead, but the Arrows staged a spirited comeback and moved into a 40-31 lead. Steven Gayle was moving into his scoring stride and Haase was demonstrating his favourite turnaround jump shot , when a sweet three pointer from Samit Nuriyev started a surge of Magic  scoring, coupled with some fierce defence, which led to the Magic closing the half 52-43 ahead. John Shaw had typified the Magic determination, when he missed the second of two free throw, took the rebound and made himself two points, with seconds to go.

In the second half, the Magic moved steadily ahead, as the Arrows seemed to run out of ideas, but, with the score at 70-55, Arrows player-coach Garnet Gayle injured his knee, in what at first looked like an innocuous collision with Sean McKie, and took no further part in the game.

Without his presence on court, the Arrows seemed to lose momentum in the last quarter and the Magic youngsters  came into their own, with Wayne Mulgrave contributing some excellent shooting. When he had scored his fortieth point of the evening, to maintain his average over the first six competitve games with the club, Steven Gayle retired to the bench to watch his young teammates play out time for what had become an easy  win. Jeff Jones was delighted by the spirit and commitment shown by all his young squad and the crowd went home happy to have seen such an entertaining game in such pleasant surroundings.

MAGIC:      Steven Gayle: 40  Wayne Mulgrave: 15 Antony Haase: 11

ARROWS: Jeff Bevington: 16 Garnet Gayle: 12 Morris Young: 10