BUCS Home Nations Day 1 Recap

The 2012 BUCS Home Nations Tournament tipped off on Tuesday at University of Nottingham with both Scotland and England heading into Day 2 with 30+ point victories under their belt.

Game 1 – Scotland vs Northern Ireland

Scotland started their BUCS Home Nations Tournament with an easy win, securing an 85-55 victory.

The outcome was never in doubt as Scotland jumped out to a 24-5 lead in the first 5 minutes, dominating the undersized Northern Ireland squad.

Captain Mark Reynolds finished with 28 points to lead the Scots, whilst Callum Nicol had 16 and Rowan Kane added 14.

Darryl Shazier led Northern Ireland with 32, but got little help as the next leading scorer was Marty McDonald with 7.

Game 2 – England vs Wales

England left no doubt that they are the team to beat in the tournament with a 92-34 demolishing of Wales.

An underwhelming first half still saw England up 49-23, but a defensive clinic where they held the Welsh side to just three points in 15 and a half minutes between the third and fourth quarter asserted their dominance of the game.

A balanced scoring effort saw all 12 players get on the scoresheet for England led by 13 each from Jamell Anderson, Zach Gachette and Louis Sayers. John Stewart joined them in double figures with 10, whilst Damian Cope and Jack Thompson added 8 each.

Wales were led by Winnet’s 8 points whilst Ioan Nickson added 7.

Notes

• Big fan of Scotland’s Mark Reynolds’ game. Plays with a lot of poise, can knock down the mid-range jumper and is a good finisher inside.
• England starters: Seeley, Gachette, Wollbrinck, Anderson & Stewart.
• Jamell had three highlight reel dunks, an alley oop for the first play of the game, an and-1 two hander on the the break and a one handed hammer breakaway! Sayers also had a nasty ankle breaker.
• Was impressed with how fired up England came out. Obviously the heavy favourites, but playing like they have a point to prove.
• Damian Cope was England’s MVP for me – he is the definition of that guy you hate to play against but love to have on your team. Hustled hard and did the little things all game.
• Tomorrow’s schedule – Scotland vs Wales at 12pm, followed by England vs Northern Ireland at 2pm.
• Women’s scores will be on this line!
• Someone really needs to do something about basketball courts in England that look like a London Tube map.
• Off the court – really impressed with University of Nottingham’s campus, place is insane.
• Follow Hoopsfix on Twitter and like us on Facebook for regular updates over the course of the next two days.

Thoughts?