BUCS Premier – Week 1 Recap

By Bradley Gains on October 17, 2014

The new season of the BUCS Championships began on Wednesday with games in the North and South Premier divisions.

Four-time defending champions Worcester started the defence of their title with an 81-73 victory away at Leeds Beckett.

Northumbria, boosted by having BBL regulars Charles Smith, Darius Defoe, Scott Martin and Drew Lasker at their disposal, earned a road victory of their own by defeating Durham 85-74. Martin top scored with 27 points while the hosts – coached by Wildcats assistant Ralph Bucci – played their two BBL Americans Chris Jones and Jon Puk as well as Sam Martin.

“I’m pleased with how the group were able to gel in a short space of time and get a positive outcome,” said Northumbria’s Head Coach Marc Steutel. “I still feel like we have a lot more to give in terms of our potential, but we displayed positive signs of mental toughness being able to bring the game back after being down early in the game. I’m looking forward to watching this group of players develop over the coming months”

The final game in the Premier North saw Loughborough beat Sheffield Hallam 91-72 with captain Will Maynard leading his side to victory with 18 points. Levi Noel added a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds with fellow Riders Conner Washington (13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists) and Anthony Rowe featuring.

“Good first performance from the group,” Loughborough Head Coach Mark Jarram said. “I liked that everyone contributed and we played together, sharing the ball. We did some things that show we haven’t spent too much time together as this specific team, however we look forward to building and progressing together.”

In the Premier South, University of East London eased to a resounding 104-50 victory over UCL. Newcomer Leigh Greenan, the 7’0” big man from Ipswich, top scored with 23 points, Will Ashby and Trent Reeves both added 12 points apiece while London Lions’ Blayne Freckleton added 11.

Brunel recorded a 65-51 home win against London South Bank, with Prince Lartey dropping 31 and Benji Lawmann adding 24.

Image Credit: Loughborough Basketball

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