^{RESULTS SERVICE}

NATIONAL TROPHY MATCH REPORTS; SEPTEMBER

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

New-Look Magic Just Miss Out.

The young Manchester Magic had little to show for some excellent basketball over the weekend, playing two games in the National Trophy , a warm-up competition before the NBL Conference league games start in November. The first was an absolute thriller, at home against the all-conquering Teesside Mohawks. With only 26 seconds to go, they were down by 92-95, but an astonishing 14 points were scored before the final buzzer, with the Mohawks just edging it by 101-100. All the Magic squad had played with tremendous verve and determination, defending tenaciously and attacking with speed and imagination. The young Magic big men were making the kind of impact under both baskets that the team sometimes lacked last season and, all round, the fans were delighted by the promise shown. Only the final score was a disappointment, but the team can only get better. Steven Gayle, who seemed, even to seasoned obervers, to have had a fairly quiet game, ended with an amazing 38 points as top scorer.

The next day, the Magic travelled to Chesterfield to take on the Derbyshire Arrows, a very talented and well-coached 1^st Division team, which would have joined the Conference but for a technical problem with their venue. After a close and hard-fought game, during which they were always in touch, the Magic went down by 83-87. After the tension of the previous evening, mental and physical fatigue played their part and it is significant that Wayne Mulgrave, their experienced captain, was particularly prominent, with Steven Gayle top-scoring with 32 points, keeping his average to 40 points a game. The Magic have the chance to reverse this result this weekend, when the Arrows come to the Amaechi Centre for the return.

On the face of it, two games, two defeats sounds a poor return for a weekend’s endeavours, but the reality is that this is a highly promising Magic side, potentially far stronger than before, but they will need some time to produce their very best and, with so many young players, time is definitely on their side. The next home game is on Saturday, 5^th October, at the Amaechi Basketball Centre in Whalley Range.  Tip-off is  at 7.30p.m.

National Trophy 28 & 29/09/02

Two more wins in the National Trophy pool stages, making it five from five, just about assures TVL Teesside Mohawks of a place in the quarter finals of the competition with five games still to play.  Only a collapse of unheard of proportions could now prevent qualification.

Maintaining the unbeaten tag required every last drop of energy to fight off a stubborn Manchester Magic side on Saturday in the closest of scraps at the Amaechi Centre, while in complete contrast Mansfield Express, Sunday’s visitors to fortress Eston Sports Academy, found the gulf between division one and the conference league a big step up and will not relish the rematch in Nottinghamshire at the weekend.

The games gave Mohawks’ coaching staff a perfect opportunity to assess how the squad is shaping up as the tough National Cup and British Basketball League Trophy games approach. 

Head coach Tony Hanson is now in no doubt that the current make-up has a few shortcomings that must be addressed if they are to be at the races against the elite clubs Leicester, Newcastle and Scottish Rocks.  And Hanson could be seen in talks with a former Mohawk after Sunday’s game, with a view to a return in time for this weekend’s double header – the return at Mansfield on Saturday and home to Ware Rebels on Sunday.

Of most concern was player unavailability that forced Mohawks to call up three untried teenagers to fill out the bench for the Mansfield game to avoid going into the fixture with just seven players.  Greg Henderson, Sloan Francis and Dean Hanson (no relation) all made their debuts, but coach Hanson suggested that there will have to be a reassessment of the situation.

He said:  “This year we have made a commitment to keep a couple of spots open for our younger players, but unfortunately both of the more experienced under 20s and under 18s players we would have used had games away on Sunday, along with coach Paul Douglas, reducing us to only seven players.  “That gave us an opportunity to go lower, into our under-16s, which we always planned to look at. 

“The fact that we can put such young players out there shows our commitment, but in the tough games this might be a luxury we can’t afford.  We are obviously going to have to reassess that.”

Manchester really fancied their chances, particularly as since the last meeting between the two sides they had strengthened their squad even further and hotshot Steven Gayle was racking up almost 50 points a game.

Mohawks, as with their previous games, looked the more polished from the start and went into their trademark early lead after an 8-0 run in the second minute through Steve Pilkington, Ralph Bucci and EJ Harrison.

But the points dried up totally for two and a half minutes, with Bucci and Jason Swaine both suffering the agony of three point efforts taking a peak in the basket before bouncing back out. 

In reply Magic took advantage of some sloppy defending to sink a couple of offensive rebounds, while a travel called on Bucci and a steal by Callum Jones saw a volley of 10 points fired off from five different Manchester players to go four ahead with a minute to play.

Steve Butler intercepted and buried an endline ball to bring the sides level at 22-22, and the side went ahead when Bucci intercepted in defence and sent Nicholson on his way for a two to lead by a single point at the break.

There was little to separate the sides for much of the second session, with first one side going on a scoring run, only for the other to hit back and take a lead of their own.  Harrison stood tall for Mohawks with 10 for the quarter, including a run of 8 in a row.  But it was Paul Douglas who made the significant play when putting down a three pointer right on the buzzer to give the side a slender 45-43 lead at the interval.

Another break, this time of seven, was pulled out by the fifth minute of the third quarter.  But sharpshooter Gayle was beginning to find his range, and a big 14 point session, finished off by a three from the diminutive Sean McKie, hauled the deficit right back to a single point again at 68-67.

Tony Hanson made his feelings known about the way his side was playing during the break.  And players were left in no doubt that failing to follow the game plan would see them benched.

The words had the desired effect and by the final minute, with a lead of 9, the game looked over.  But two missed free throws from Harrison and another from Bucci, plus Gayle causing chaos in defence and tremendous support from the bleachers, always offered a ray of hope for the home side.

Fortunately, the fouling out of Gayle and teammate McKie in the final minute, and two successful free throws each from Bucci and Harrison, came at just the right time. 

Four points up with just five seconds to play meant they could give Samit Nuriyev the last throw of the game.  His three pointer brought the house down, but it was Mohawks who just edged it by 101-100.   Under 20s player Neil Campbell made his senior debut and proved to be a useful addition to the squad.

Mohawks dominated Mansfield from the off, forging into an 18 point lead with a minute of the first quarter to go, although 5 unanswered points by the visitors saw that lead reduced entering the break.

Another good start to quarter two saw the lead extended to 22 by the halfway point, giving Mohawks their biggest lead of the first half.  But, to the sparse crowd’s frustration, the conference side descended to the level of the visitors and were a pale shadow of the well-oiled machine people have come to expect.  Those who stayed away proved to have chosen wisely.

Express tried valiantly to get back into the game and might feel that with three good scoring spells in quarters three and four pulling them back to within 6 points that they were close to causing an upset.  

But Mohawks could step up at will and took the two points with some comfort – if not the prettiest display.  A twenty point winning margin (89-69) was a gift to Mansfield in a truly dreadful game.

Scorers. 

Manchester Magic (100):  Sean McKie 9, Wayne Mulgrave 9, Samit Nuriyev 5, Steven Gayle 38, John Shaw 5, Callum Jones 16, Anthony Haase 14, Andrew Thompson 2, Haris Charalambous 2.

TVL Mohawks (101):  Steve Pilkington 17, James Nicholson 6, Jason Swaine 13, Paul Douglas 3, Steve Butler 8, Neil Campbell 3, Jon Stonebridge 2, Ralph Bucci 20, EJ Harrison 29.

TVL Mohawks (89):   Steve Pilkington 15, Jason Swaine 19, James Nicholson 7, Steve Butler 10, Ralph Bucci 17, EJ Harrison 21.

Mansfield Express (69):  Hilroy Thomas 17, Gary Collins 2, Drew Barrett 9, Dylan Bogg 13, Andrew Duncan 19, Dave Greenaway 3, Martin Ford 6.

National Trophy 29/09/02

Hackney White Heat 77  Reading Rockets 80

Hackney finally got their home season underway, with a National Trophy pool match against Reading Rockets at the Space Centre on Sunday.  Rockets are largely unchanged from last season, having added former England Junior Lloyd Gardner to their ranks following his return from college in the US.  The White Heat side however has a number of alterations to their line-up welcoming back a number of old favourites, none the least being coach Joe White, despite still fighting serious illness.

Rockets took an early 4-0 lead before a James Miller three-pointer opened White Heat's account.  A Ted Smith trey moved the visitors out to 9-7 before five unanswered from the home side gave them a 12-9 advantage.  Reading, however, were showing the greater discipline and with Hackney in the foul penalty, the visitors took advantage from the foul line, shooting 9 from 11 to lead 22-19 at the end of the first quarter, Miller and Smith sharing the spoils on 8 apiece.

Hackney's pressure defence was starting to impede Rockets' progress as both sides showed early season rustiness with some poor shooting.  But the hosts were unable to take advantage and with six minutes played in the second period, Reading led 32-23 as John Hodds got to work inside.  Six straightv for Hackney, including a three-point play from Franck Batimba, reduced the deficit to 32-29 but with mostly foul shooting over the final two minutes, the visitors led 38-31 at the half.

Reading again started with greater control and with Hodds scoring 8 of his sides first 10 points, the lead stretched to 48-37 after 5 minutes.  But the Rockets big man collected his fourth foul, which forced him to the bench and brought about a remarkable change in the match.  With space to work near the basket, Batimba took the match over entirely.  Over the remainder of the quarter, the hard-nosed Londoner scored 18 of his sides 20 points with a dazzling array of inside moves.  The visitors could find no way of stopping him and at the end of the third stanza, the margin was back to 2 at 57-59.

Smith regained his sides composure, with the first five points of the final quarter before a 9-0 run gave Hackney the lead at 66-64.  Reading replied with six unanswered, Damon Cooper with 4, but neither side could establish an advantage.  Batimba with another 5 straight, tied it up at 73 with two minutes remaining.  Hackney gave themselves clear opportunities to take the victory but misses from close range sealed their fate as Reading's coolness from the line gave them an 80-77 final winning margin.

Ted Smith 27 and John Hodds 21 had led the way for them but the undoubted star of the afternoon was Hackney's Franck Batimba.  He scored an incredible 45 points off of 64% shooting combined with 16 rebounds.  But his sides 57% shooting from the line against 74% for Reading was a most telling factor.

Hackney resume battle on Saturday with the rearranged fixture against Kingston.  The match is at the Space Centre, tip-off at 8 pm

National Trophy 29/09/02

Express Give Trophy Kings a Scare – Can They Do It Saturday at Home ?

            Teesside Mohawks 89-69 Mansfield Express           

Match report by Andrew Monk

This coming Saturday, the 5^th October; will see Mansfield Express welcome 3 time, and reigning National Trophy Champions Teesside Mohawks to the Mansfield Leisure Centre looking to continue their impressive, and gutsy start to the season – after Express gave the Trophy holders a good run for their money, on their own court.

The impressive Eston Sports Academy in Middlesborough hosts up to 1200; and so it was disappointing to find a match attended by just 80 – and however much the Teesside spectators tried to create an atmosphere, the shear sparseness of the venue took precedence and the noise quickly died down.

The hosts had, the previous night come away from Manchester with a win, by the odd point in 201 – an opposition that Express had faced away from home the previous week; and gone down to by 20; and so it is possible that the final score line, somewhat reflects the form book.

It was the Mohawks that opened the scoring within six seconds from the tip, through Pilkington, and were quickly beginning to run away with the show, when with 3 minutes remaining in the period; Express were 6-23 down – with Pilkington hitting hard, along with EJ Harrison. It was only Hilroy Thomas, and Andrew Duncan, that had at that stage got Express off the mark.

Through Head Coach Martin Ford; who had stripped up for the match, Express pulled back to a 14-27, first quarter deficit.

A spectacular alley-oop from Teesside opened the hosts account for the second period after a mid court steal saw Harrison loft the ball up perfectly for Pilkington to complete the move with a dunk.

The score was moving along very slowly on both sides; however Express were getting in to some foul trouble early on, with Gary Collins and Dylan Bogg getting on the wrong side of the officials.

EJ Harrison made a 3-pointer for the hosts, only for Drew Barrett to return the favour for Express, with 3 minutes remaining on the half – that took the score on to 25-42. A few free throws on the team foul closed out the quarter and the half at 27-47 – the game not totally beyond reach, but it was going to be extremely tough.

Teesside, in their last home game, against Express rivals Derbyshire Arrows, had been up at some stage by some 27 points – only to see the lead diminish into nothing in the second half – it was only through some tough play at the end that the Mohawks continued their 3 year unbeaten record in this competition, winning by just 7 points – one of Teesside’s closest results in some time – and the first time in a year that the Mohawks had scored less than 100 points (Express’ final score would prove to be the second – so much can Express take out of the match).

In the second half Express began to turn the screw; and for all 3-point attempts that Dylan Bogg had had in the first half, and seen them bounce out – he found himself suddenly on form, hitting three long range efforts to help the visitors to out score their hosts.

Teesside had scored the opening points in the third quarter, but Express responses came through Duncan, Barrett, Thomas, and Bogg – a real team effort – and half way through the quarter – the deficit was just 14, and after two baskets for the hosts, Express started another run, an 8-0 tear within 90 seconds, to close the gap to just 9 points, with just 2, third quarter minutes remaining.

Frustration would follow however for Express, as Teesside once again showed their composure from the free-throw line making six free-throws in a two minute period of niggling fouls which saw the good work undone – and it could be argued that the score line was now flattering the Conference side somewhat; with the score at the buzzer 66-50.

Express had outscored their opposition in that quarter 19-23.

Still some work to be done – but Express had shown that they could infiltrate the Mohawks, and put them under pressure – and the lesser rated visitors did exactly this – by scoring the first 10 points of the quarter – six coming from Andrew Duncan, with support from Collins and Thomas. Express, within 3 minutes had cut the deficit down to just six points  - those dedicated travelling fans of Express, who were spectacularly noisy were hopeful of what would be an immense upset.

A period of extremely sloppy play; just at the wrong time, followed for Express with numerous turnovers, and simple baskets missed , handing the hosts the ball – and they made us pay – and in an equal time frame – of three minutes – the hosts had gone on a 12-0 streak of their own, and a collective sigh of relief could be heard from the Mohawks fans around me – as with four minutes to play, they had opened out to a 78-60 lead.

Teesside captain Jason Swaine led by example and hit a couple of three-pointers, and Mohawks found themselves in the middle of another purple patch as Express’ tiredness began to show – after the immense effort earlier that period – 89-63, with 2 minutes showing on the clock.

Express closed off the game with six points – Drew Barrett the last to trouble the scorers.

Express Top Scorers:            Thomas 19, Duncan 18, Bogg 13, Barrett 9

National Trophy 28/09/02            Kingston Wildcats v Black Country Bears

This was the second game of the first round of National Trophy matches. This initial round is played in a round robin format. Wildcats have been grouped with Hackney, Reading and Black Country. The Bears are the only first division team in the group.

The lower division opponents made an excellent start outplaying the home team.  The highlight of the first quarter was when Wildcats French forward Femi Okinrinyo made a power move into the zone dunking the ball so powerfully it startled the opposition. Nevertheless Black Country was not phased by this and ended the quarter 10 points ahead. There was a complete change of fortunes for Wildcats in the second quarter when they outscored their opponents almost 3 to 1 leading at half time 48 – 40.

The third quarter went the same way as the second for Wildcats with them overwhelming their opponents to lead 74 – 50 at the end of the third quarter. The Wildcats had restricted the Black Country to just 20 points in the second and third quarters. In the fourth quarter Wildcats lost their intensity and Black Country rallied and outscored Wildcats almost 2 to 1, halving their lead. This however was too little, too late and the home team ran out winners 85 – 71.

Wildcats shooting guard Mark Bottiglia hit 5 of 6 three pointers to end the match having scored 19 points. This was supported by player/coach Solomon Ayinla who also scored 19 points. Third highest scorer for the Wildcats was Chris Jeremiah with 11 points. Highest scorer for Black Country was Carl White with 20 points.

The next home game for Wildcats sees them pitched against higher league opposition in the shape of Essex Leopards from the BBL in the first round of the National Cup. The game takes place at TRC on Thursday 10 October at 8 pm. 

Wildcats: Mark Bottiglia 19; Solomon Ayinla 19; Chris Jeremiah 11; Mike Vear 9; Ade Orelaja 7; Eddie Owusu 7; Femi Okinrinyo 7; Andy Powesland 6; Mark Poynton (c) 0

Bears: C. White 20; A. Bean 15; S. Richards 12; R. Hall 8; N. Fisher 6; H. Makouangou 6; C. Welborn 2; M. Elfrey 2; A. Hunt (c) 0

National Trophy 29/09/02

Express Give Trophy Kings a Scare – Can They Do It Saturday at Home ?

            Teesside Mohawks 89-69 Mansfield Express           

Match report by Andrew Monk

This coming Saturday, the 5^th October; will see Mansfield Express welcome 3 time, and reigning National Trophy Champions Teesside Mohawks to the Mansfield Leisure Centre looking to continue their impressive, and gutsy start to the season – after Express gave the Trophy holders a good run for their money, on their own court.

The impressive Eston Sports Academy in Middlesborough hosts up to 1200; and so it was disappointing to find a match attended by just 80 – and however much the Teesside spectators tried to create an atmosphere, the shear sparseness of the venue took precedence and the noise quickly died down.

The hosts had, the previous night come away from Manchester with a win, by the odd point in 201 – an opposition that Express had faced away from home the previous week; and gone down to by 20; and so it is possible that the final score line, somewhat reflects the form book.

It was the Mohawks that opened the scoring within six seconds from the tip, through Pilkington, and were quickly beginning to run away with the show, when with 3 minutes remaining in the period; Express were 6-23 down – with Pilkington hitting hard, along with EJ Harrison. It was only Hilroy Thomas, and Andrew Duncan, that had at that stage got Express off the mark.

Through Head Coach Martin Ford; who had stripped up for the match, Express pulled back to a 14-27, first quarter deficit.

A spectacular alley-oop from Teesside opened the hosts account for the second period after a mid court steal saw Harrison loft the ball up perfectly for Pilkington to complete the move with a dunk.

The score was moving along very slowly on both sides; however Express were getting in to some foul trouble early on, with Gary Collins and Dylan Bogg getting on the wrong side of the officials.

EJ Harrison made a 3-pointer for the hosts, only for Drew Barrett to return the favour for Express, with 3 minutes remaining on the half – that took the score on to 25-42. A few free throws on the team foul closed out the quarter and the half at 27-47 – the game not totally beyond reach, but it was going to be extremely tough.

Teesside, in their last home game, against Express rivals Derbyshire Arrows, had been up at some stage by some 27 points – only to see the lead diminish into nothing in the second half – it was only through some tough play at the end that the Mohawks continued their 3 year unbeaten record in this competition, winning by just 7 points – one of Teesside’s closest results in some time – and the first time in a year that the Mohawks had scored less than 100 points (Express’ final score would prove to be the second – so much can Express take out of the match).

In the second half Express began to turn the screw; and for all 3-point attempts that Dylan Bogg had had in the first half, and seen them bounce out – he found himself suddenly on form, hitting three long range efforts to help the visitors to out score their hosts.

Teesside had scored the opening points in the third quarter, but Express responses came through Duncan, Barrett, Thomas, and Bogg – a real team effort – and half way through the quarter – the deficit was just 14, and after two baskets for the hosts, Express started another run, an 8-0 tear within 90 seconds, to close the gap to just 9 points, with just 2, third quarter minutes remaining.

Frustration would follow however for Express, as Teesside once again showed their composure from the free-throw line making six free-throws in a two minute period of niggling fouls which saw the good work undone – and it could be argued that the score line was now flattering the Conference side somewhat; with the score at the buzzer 66-50.

Express had outscored their opposition in that quarter 19-23.

Still some work to be done – but Express had shown that they could infiltrate the Mohawks, and put them under pressure – and the lesser rated visitors did exactly this – by scoring the first 10 points of the quarter – six coming from Andrew Duncan, with support from Collins and Thomas. Express, within 3 minutes had cut the deficit down to just six points  - those dedicated travelling fans of Express, who were spectacularly noisy were hopeful of what would be an immense upset.

A period of extremely sloppy play; just at the wrong time, followed for Express with numerous turnovers, and simple baskets missed , handing the hosts the ball – and they made us pay – and in an equal time frame – of three minutes – the hosts had gone on a 12-0 streak of their own, and a collective sigh of relief could be heard from the Mohawks fans around me – as with four minutes to play, they had opened out to a 78-60 lead.

Teesside captain Jason Swaine led by example and hit a couple of three-pointers, and Mohawks found themselves in the middle of another purple patch as Express’ tiredness began to show – after the immense effort earlier that period – 89-63, with 2 minutes showing on the clock.

Express closed off the game with six points – Drew Barrett the last to trouble the scorers.

Express Top Scorers:            Thomas 19, Duncan 18, Bogg 13, Barrett 9

National Trophy 28/09/02            Kingston Wildcats v Black Country Bears

This was the second game of the first round of National Trophy matches. This initial round is played in a round robin format. Wildcats have been grouped with Hackney, Reading and Black Country. The Bears are the only first division team in the group.

The lower division opponents made an excellent start outplaying the home team.  The highlight of the first quarter was when Wildcats French forward Femi Okinrinyo made a power move into the zone dunking the ball so powerfully it startled the opposition. Nevertheless Black Country was not phased by this and ended the quarter 10 points ahead. There was a complete change of fortunes for Wildcats in the second quarter when they outscored their opponents almost 3 to 1 leading at half time 48 – 40.

The third quarter went the same way as the second for Wildcats with them overwhelming their opponents to lead 74 – 50 at the end of the third quarter. The Wildcats had restricted the Black Country to just 20 points in the second and third quarters. In the fourth quarter Wildcats lost their intensity and Black Country rallied and outscored Wildcats almost 2 to 1, halving their lead. This however was too little, too late and the home team ran out winners 85 – 71.

Wildcats shooting guard Mark Bottiglia hit 5 of 6 three pointers to end the match having scored 19 points. This was supported by player/coach Solomon Ayinla who also scored 19 points. Third highest scorer for the Wildcats was Chris Jeremiah with 11 points. Highest scorer for Black Country was Carl White with 20 points.

The next home game for Wildcats sees them pitched against higher league opposition in the shape of Essex Leopards from the BBL in the first round of the National Cup. The game takes place at TRC on Thursday 10 October at 8 pm. 

Wildcats: Mark Bottiglia 19; Solomon Ayinla 19; Chris Jeremiah 11; Mike Vear 9; Ade Orelaja 7; Eddie Owusu 7; Femi Okinrinyo 7; Andy Powesland 6; Mark Poynton (c) 0

Bears: C. White 20; A. Bean 15; S. Richards 12; R. Hall 8; N. Fisher 6; H. Makouangou 6; C. Welborn 2; M. Elfrey 2; A. Hunt (c) 0

National Trophy 28/09/02

Magic Just Lose out in Thriller.

Manchester Magic: 100  Teesside Mohawks: 101

Tension was high in the Magic camp before this National Trophy clash at the magnificent new Amaechi Centre in Manchester. It was a game the young Magic team knew they could win, but they also knew how hard this Teesside squad play, particularly in the last quarter. Both teams started confidently, with the Mohawks 7 points up after four minutes, but the Magic soon fought back, with strong contributions from the whole team, to end the quarter 23-24.

The second quarter saw Magic coach Jeff Jones using all his bench, keeping the Mohawks under constant pressure, in an attempt, largely successful, to unsettle their usually lethal 3 point shooters. The young Magic big men were making a real impact under both baskets and all the guards were playing well, but the Mohawks used all their great experience to stay just ahead, 45-43 at the half. Crucial for the outcome of the  game were the two turnovers gifted by the Magic to give the Mohawks easy baskets during this second quarter.

In the third quarter, the Magic once again made up a 7 point deficit with excellent all-round play, and in particular some heroic defence in the last minute, to end the quarter 67-68 down.

This staunch defence continued against the Mohawks’ first possession in the last quarter, timed out after 24 seconds. But a silly turnover in the third minute gave the Mohawks a game-high 9 point lead and it was looking all over for the Magic, as they went into the last minute 83-92 down. Then the unthinkable happened: ever dependable Ralph Bucci missed two free throws for the Mohawks.  With 26 seconds left, Steven Gale scored two of three free throws to make the score 92-95, then James Nicholson made it 92-97 for the Mohawks. Gayle shot a magnificent 3 pointer to make it  95-97, Bucci made two free throws to make it 95-99 with 14 seconds to go. Callum Jones replied with two points to make it 97-99. The Magic fouled E.J. Harrison on their own line and he brought the score to 97-101 but  Samit Nurijev  scored a wonderful 3 pointer on the buzzer to make the final score 100-101. The crowd were ecstatic at the performance their young heroes had put up, the Mohawks were delighted to have won such an enjoyable game and Jeff Jones and his team were despondent that they had come so near to victory, but had nothing to show for it. As an advert for British basketball, it could hardly have been bettered.

Magic top scorers: Steven Gayle: 38 Callum Jones: 16 Antony Haase: 1

Bears “pause” lets Rockets off in fireworks display finale

In a game that the Bears had in the bag, leading by eight points with only eighty seconds to go, they gave themselves a bigger shock than the earth tremor that shook the whole area some hours later.

To the Bears’ and the onlookers’ disbelief Reading Rockets took the game by a single point with a huge three pointer conversion on the buzzer from their captain American Tom Smith. He let fly with a desperation effort from inside the centre circle as time expired and hit nothing but net to seal the ‘Great Escape’ and cause a crowd invasion from jubilant Reading followers and players off the bench.

Reading Rockets, who had won the Division One Championship the season before last, and had been promoted to the Conference, proved an early test for the Bears. However the Black Country ‘ballers acquitted themselves admirably throughout the whole game and carried on where they had left off in the Play-Off Final against the Bristol Bombers.

Bears opened the proceedings and raced to a four point lead before the game had to be halted because of technical problems with the electronic scoreboard at Birmingham University. The game had had to be staged at the University because the new backboards at the new home court of the Bears, the Crystal Leisure centre in Stourbridge for the 2002-2003 season, had not been fitted in time. The game was delayed for a full six minutes before play could continue and both sides seemed to suffer from this interruption.

The first quarter ended with the sides reasonably matched Reading gaining a three point advantage by converting a 3 point effort on the buzzer to lead it by 17 points to 14 but showing evidence of the fact that this was not their first competitive game of the season.

Coach Alan Hunt spurred the Bears on in the break and following a passage of superb play inspired by guard Mike Landell and leading scorer Carl White ensured the Bears were well on top at the half time interval 41-36 up.

The third quarter swung in favour of the Rockets by just a single point as the Black Country Bears began to tire. Dean Blake who had had a magnificent game lit the blue touch paper early in the fourth as he slammed over the taller Rockets defence for an emphatic score. This ignited the crowd and spurred on the Bears who enjoyed a purple patch. Debutant Alan Bean got into the heart of the Rockets defence and also sank some huge threes to record 13 personal points and leaper Harry Makouangou tore down two offensive boards to put the Bears up by a score of 74-66 with just a minute to go.

Credit must go to the Reading coach , who had stepped into the breach following Dave Titmuss resignation earlier in the week, for the tactic he employed to wrestle the game back from the brink. Which ever Bear player had the ball was immediately fouled which stopped the clock and made the Bears try to win it from the charity stripe. Scrutiny of the score sheet afterwards revealed that Bears only made 4 free throws from 14 attempts. Reading controlled their own boards and ran their quick scoring offence and made three consecutive three to trim the Bears lead. However Carl White must have thought he had won the game when he rebounded his own missed shot not once, not twice but three times to score amongst a sea of Reading defenders and  go to the line for a bonus which he made Bears now up by 5 at 77-72. Rockets scored quickly and then with just 2.5 seconds left committed a ‘hard’ foul on Clive Allen (we thought he had retired?) after he had passed off the ball to Robin Hall. You would have expected 2 shots and possession given the recent rule changes concerning unsporting fouls OR perhaps a ‘no call’ and allow the clock to run down further in the Bears favour. But no, referee Steve Ellis awarded just two foul shots which were unfortunately both missed and as described earlier Rockets regained possession and Tom Smith sank a Hail Mary for the win.

Everyone realises that wins are going to be difficult to come by as Bears have made the step up to Division One this season so its understandable that its difficult to accept the manner of the defeat in a game that you know you should have won.

Bears now need to pick themselves up for a difficult road trip to KINGSTON WILDCATS on Saturday 28^th September which is their next game in the NBL Trophy Group D stages.

BLACK COUNTRY BEARS 77  (14, 41, 59)              Top Scorers WHITE 20, BEAN 13 and MAKOUANGOU 11

READING ROCKETS         78  (17, 36, 60)              Top Scorers  SMITH 27, COOPER 22 and RICH 9           

National Trophy; 21-09-02

Manchester Magic 97-77 Mansfield Express         

Match report by Philip Mitchell

This game was the first Trophy game for new coach Martin Ford to put in to play what the squad have been preparing for, since the cancellation of last weeks trophy contest against Hull Icebergs. The coach and the team should have learnt a lot from their exhibition game last weekend against the Kingston Wildcats, where the coach was able to make an assessment of all the squad who had court time.

Our opponents were NBL Conference side Manchester Magic, who reached the semi-final of this competition last year, losing only to eventual winners Teesside Mohawks.

This was the first game in the Greater Manchester Youth Basketball Club’s £2 ¼ million John Amaechi Basketball Centre, to which former England International Amaechi, playing with NBA giants Utah Jazz is a sponsor, and is founding member of the club as a whole.

Coach, Martin Ford picked virtually the same squad that played Kingston Wildcats in a friendly the weekend before, with the inclusion of Ben Coy, and new signing, 6”6 Hilroy Thomas replacing youngsters Ste Bateman and Ady Turton.

This squad would face what could be called a semi-professional team, that trains 5 times weekly, in a modern facility, and bides its trade in a division above that of the visitors.

Andrew Duncan won the tip off in front of a rather lacklustre home crowd of around 250, however, it was Manchester that scored first though 6”8 giant Haris Charalambous.

Dylan Bogg replied with a three pointer, before the hosts responded with Gayle and Mulgrave to open up a 10-3 advantage.

Two baskets for Darren Weaver and Andrew Duncan bought some respectability back to the score, before Manchester opened out the lead again, closing the period at 22-14.

Early into the second quarter, and both teams were playing tough defence, not allowing their opponents to roam the court quite so freely, and with 3 ½ minutes remaining in the half the score had only moved onto 29-20.

In such a tense quarter, Martin Ford called a time-out,  to see if his men could find a way through – and although the hosts scored first – another 3-pointer from Dylan Bogg and Darren Weaver on the offensive boards Express were starting to step up the pace.

A steal from Hilroy Thomas lead to two points, which reduced the deficit to seven, 32-39. Two successful free throws from four attempts saw Manchester lead at half time 41-32.

Steven Gayle was running the show for Manchester and continued to do so in the second half, as the hosts pulled out a 13 point advantage. Express responded to bring it back down to just 8, with 7 minutes remaining.

The lead then opened out again, getting a high as 19, at 66-47. A time-out from Martin Ford at this stage, seemed to have had it’s positive effects, as the visitors responded with a 10-4 tear, with great work from Pete Olusoga, Thomas, and another long range success from Bogg.

With one period left, Express had closed the deficit to 57-70.

Into the final period, and Magic opened the scoring , but Express showed their character to respond, and close the gap to just 8, at 71-79 with 5 minutes remaining – giving the visiting team a chance of an upset.

This was as close as the game got however, as the hosts found another gear late on, and Express’ lack of fitness showed, given they had only trained twice thus far as a team. A crushing 6-18 run, put Magic in control to the final buzzer – winning the game 97-77.

Express however can take many positives from this contest; the opposition are from a higher division, and have been in training since mid-July – training five nights a week.

Steven Gayle, for Manchester, hit 38 against Teesside the previous weekend, and continued his current good form with a massive 41 points.

We can only build from this game and move forward, learn and get stronger, fitter and more focused.

Magic come out Top in Tough Game.

Graham McCargo (Manchester)

Manchester Magic: 97 Mansfield Express: 77

This was the first Senior game at the brand-new  Amaechi Basketball Centre in Whalleu Range and quite a few Magic players were maiking their home debut. The fans who were sure the Magic could not manage without the players they had lost over  the summer break were in for a nervous evening. Most went home looking forward to a successful Conference season.

The final score does not tell the true story of this National Trophy game. The Mansfield Express were in contention until the last few minutes and the Magic players were plainly relieved when they finally got a good lead with some two minutes to go. The Express started brightly and were causing the Magic’s young big men some problems under the baskets until  Wayne Mulgrave, not for the first time, settled his side with an excellent three-pointer to close the first quarter with the Magic 22-14 ahead.

The second quarter saw the Magic newcomer guards, Samit Nuriyev and Steven Gayle, showing their class, much to the approval of the home fans and Haris Charalambous and John Shaw getting more into the game, but the Express kept coming back strongly, with good work from Kilroy Thomas under both baskets. In a collision on an Express fast break, Wayne Mulgrave sustained what looked like a serious hand injury with a minute to go in the half, but came back after the half and played the rest of the game. Despite good scores from young Callum Jones and two free throws made by Haris Charlambous after most of the crowd had gone to the bar, the Magic had a somewhat precarious lead of 43-32 at the half.

By the end of the third quarter, Magic coach Jeff Jones had used all his bench and they had all done well, Ross Kirk, Anthony Hassie, Adam Slater and youngster Andrew Thompson all contributing well, getting their chance, perhaps because Jeff Jones might have had in mind the next Trophy game, due to start only 16 ½ hours after the final hooter at the Amaechi  Centre.  It was the scoring of Steven Gayle which caught the eye, particularly from under the basket. The least tall player on the court, he consistently rebounded well at both ends and his 41 points will send out a disturbing message to the other Conference teams. He was helped, as were his teammates, by Nuriyev’s excellent distribution of the ball and the growing confidence of the younger players. Despite all this good Magic work, the Express refused to be beaten and ended the third quarter strongly, having reduced the deficit to 8 points at one stage.

In the last quarter, Gayle and Mulgrave scored well and, though the Express battled admirably to the end, the game concluded with a nice basket for Andrew Thompson and one by Haris Charalambous. This team, with youth very much on its side, can only get better, so the Magic fans should be in for some treats this season.

Magic top scorers: Steven Gayle: 41 Wayne Mulgrave: 21 Haris Charalambous: 12

National Trophy; 14-09-02

Teesside Mohawks: 121  Manchester Magic: 108.

The new-look Manchester Magic squad had a desperately difficult first competitive match of the new  season when they travelled to high-flying Teesside Mohawks in their first National Trophy pool game. Missing some of last season’s top scorers, but welcoming some promising newcomers, they started nervously and ended the first quarter down by 39-22. Jason Swaine had already started on his three point haul for the Mohawks, of which he scored 9 from 10 attempts and the home team looked like running out easy winners, but the Magic improved radically as the game went on. At the half they  trailed by 68-41.

In some previous games, the Mohawks had stepped on the gas in the second half, but this time the situation was reversed, as the Magic started to play well as a team and they narrowed the gap before the end, finishing more strongly than their tiring opponents. Coach Jeff Jones was delighted by the way his team had played, once they threw off their early nerves, and especially with his three new signings.

Steve Gayle, a 6’2” guard proved his reputation as a scoring guard, top-scoring for the Magic with 38 points. A local youngster, a product of  the Manchester Schools system, he was previously with the Manchester Giants.

Ross Kirk, from Sheffield, is a 6’5” forward with excellent defensive skills who turned down an offer from the Mohawks to play for the Magic.

Samant Nuriyev is an excellent Azerbajani point-guard with lots of experience in European basketball. His great strength is as a passer of the ball and as a creator of baskets for his colleagues.

Wayne Mulgrave was the Magic’s second top-scorer with 23 points and 16 year old Callum Jones made a smooth transition to the Senior game with 19 points. Other players in the squad were Haris Charalambous (14 points), John Shaw, Adam Slater and Andrew Thompson.

It looks as if the fans at the new Amaechi Basketball Centre will have plenty to cheer about this season. Home games start at 7.30 p.m. on Saturdays and the first is this Saturday, 21^st Sept. Opponents in this National Trophy clash are Mansfield. For a fixture list and/or further information ring the Centre on 0161 991 0090.