Around the NBL – Week 9

By Bradley Gains on November 10, 2015

HEMEL STORM

Check out our latest round-up of the action from the NBL this past weekend from Division 1 down to the NBDL, while the National Trophy quarter-final match-ups are finally confirmed.

Division 1

Manchester Magic (4-0) moved to the top of the D1 standings this weekend after recording back-to-back victories to improve to a 4-0 start. Paul Middleton’s side inflicted a first loss on Team Northumbria (2-1) on Saturday as they prevailed 74-62 at the Amaechi Basketball Centre. Simon Anumba led the way with 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Jack Minister added 21.

The defending National Cup and National Trophy champions claimed an outright lead at the top the following day as they defeated Westminster Warriors (0-4) 56-86 on the road with Ryan Lohfink producing a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.

It was a second loss of the weekend for Westminster as Worthing Thunder (2-2) held off a late fightback on Saturday to claim a 90-86 home win. Tom Ward and James Cambronne, who went 8-of-11 from the field, both scored 22 points, while Brendan Okoronkwo added 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists and Louis Allen netted five triples on his way to a 17-point haul.

For the visitors, Jon J Johnson had 26 points and 14 rebounds, while player-coach Julius Joseph added 17 points and 10 rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench, but his side’s late revival fell short despite winning the final quarter 20-33.

Derby Trailblazers (3-0) moved into joint second alongside Reading Rockets and London Lituanica as the four remaining unbeaten teams after they defeated Kent Crusaders (1-3) 58-77 away from home on Sunday. They were led to a third league victory by 19 points apiece from Sydney Donaldson and David Watts.

Kent had claimed their first league win of the season after beating Bradford Dragons (0-4) 68-72 on the road despite 25 points and 12 rebounds from Nick Moore. The Crusaders were led by new American signing Khufu Najee-Alluh’s 21 points. The Dragons slipped to another defeat on Sunday as they were beaten 76-69 by Leicester Warriors (1-3). New signing Ricky Fetske, from BBL side Leeds Force, had 19 points for the visitors, while the Warriors were led to their first win by Jason Tucker’s 15 points.

Lancashire Spinners (3-2) made it three wins on the bounce on Saturday after holding on for an 86-84 victory over Tees Valley Mohawks (0-3). Connor Murtagh led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Spinners recovered from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter before fending off a late charge from the visitors, who were led by Romonn Nelson and Rob Donaldson as they finished with 24 and 21 points respectively.

Hemel Storm (3-1) enjoyed a double winning-weekend in D1 with wins over Leicester Warriors and Essex Leopards (1-2). Firstly, they needed overtime to see off Leicester as they eventually claimed an 80-76 victory with Nik Rhodes (pictured) dropping 29 points in the win and Bode Adeluola weighing in with a further 18. On Sunday, Dave Titmuss’ side edged out Leopards 85-87 on the road with Rhodes again top scoring with 16 points.

National Trophy

Reading Rockets suffered another defeat in their final pool game on Sunday as Worthing Thunder came away from Rivermead with a 68-70 victory. Dave Ajumobi, Danny Carter and D’Montre Edwards combined for 59 of their side’s points with 21, 20 and 18 respectively in the loss.

The Rockets had started the group 4-0, but two home defeats in two weeks sees them drop to fourth and sets up a road clash at top seeds from the North, Lancashire Spinners. Worthing were led by Cambronne’s 25 points as they finish second after coming out on top in a three-way tie with Reading and Hemel Storm to claim a home quarter-final.

Full quarter-final line-up:
Lancashire Spinners v Reading Rockets; Westminster Warriors v Bradford Dragons;
Manchester Magic v Hemel Storm; Worthing Thunder v Team Northumbria.

Division 2

Nottingham Hoods (4-0) continued their winning start to the league season by beating London Westside 71-58. Miguel Lorenzo Leis again starred for the Hoods with 18 points and 10 rebounds as well as four blocks in their fourth straight league win.

Loughborough Student Riders recorded a convincing 97-47 victory over Eastside Eagles as Raheem May-Thompson had 16 points and nine rebounds to lead five players in double figures for the hosts. Elsewhere, Solent Kestrels (1-1) suffered their first league loss at the hands of East London All Stars (3-0), who remain unbeaten as Aaron Smith netted 27 points in a 77-74 home win for his side.

Elsewhere, Liverpool (1-2) recorded their first league win of the season under new player-coach Martin Calvo as they earned an 81-51 win against Worcester Wolves II (0-4). On Sunday, London Greenhouse Pioneers (2-1) claimed a 68-79 win away at Brixton Topcats (2-2) with Dean Prosenica leading the way with a 27-point haul of his own.

Division 3

Team Newcastle University (6-0) continue to fly high at the top of D3 North as they extended their long-unbeaten league record in the NBL with a 65-107 win away at Sefton Stars (2-4). Robbie Lemons top scored for the visitors with a game-high of 25 points.

Doncaster Danum Eagles (5-0) are not too far behind after recording an 84-73 win at home against Newcastle Under Lyme College Knights (1-4) despite a 40-point haul from Kieran Jones, while Birmingham Mets (4-2) moved clear in third with an 80-75 victory over Tees Valley Mohawks II (1-4).

In the South, Brunel Ducks (4-2) missed out on the chance to gain ground on leaders Thames Valley Cavaliers (5-0) as Plymouth Raiders II (2-1) claimed a 69-66 triumph. Team Solent (3-1) are third after beating Barking & Dagenham Thunder (1-4) 50-64, and Oxford Brookes University (3-3) claimed an 86-94 win on the road at Northants Thunder (1-5).

On Sunday, London United (2-1) defeated Barking Abbey Crusaders (1-5) 93-69, while Middlesex LTBC (3-2) saw off Brentwood Fire (1-3) 99-77 behind 24 points from Modestas Krasauskas.

National Shield

Team Newcastle University continued the defence of their title with an 86-52 home win over Sefton Stars, and they will take on either Barking & Dagenham Thunder or Cambridge Cats in the quarter-finals. Doncaster Danum Eagles defeated Myerscough College 83-61 as Matthew Martin (21) and Oliver Hylands (19) combined for 40 points in the win.

Abdoulaye Sylla led Oxford Brookes University to an 89-80 victory over Brunel Ducks with 31 points, while Kieran Jones had 30 to see Newcastle Under Lyme College Knights to a 90-85 success against Northants Thunder. Finally, Team Birmingham also progressed with a 77-61 victory over Loughborough Student Riders II.

QF Draw: B&D/Cambridge v Team Newcastle University; NULC v Team Birmingham; Oxford Brookes v Doncaster Danum Eagles; Thames Valley Cavaliers/Bristol Academy Flyers II v Middlesex LTBC

NBDL

Gateshead Phoenix (4-0) came out on top in the battle of the unbeaten sides in the North-East as they defeated Nottingham Hoods II (2-1) 71-53 with Nathan Ensz hitting 20 points. Sunderland City Predators (2-2) claimed a convincing 54-84 road win at Kingston Panthers (0-2) behind a 33-point haul from Alan Slasor, while Sheffield Sabres (1-2) collected their first win in the NBDL after defeating Derby Trailblazers III (1-3) 100-63 with Okorie scoring 27 points.

In the North-West, Liverpool II (0-5) were beaten 56-74 at home to Tameside (3-1), while Kendal Warriors (1-3) recorded a 78-80 win on the road at Carlisle Panthers (1-3), on Sunday, with Gareth France scoring 35 points in his side’s first win.

Sussex Bears (4-0) continued their unbeaten start in the South after Bud Johnston went off for 52 points to lead his side to a 69-76 victory on the road against Kent Crusaders II (3-2). Thames Valley Cavaliers II (3-0) also remain unbeaten after picking up a 53-92 win away at Reading Rockets II (0-4) with Garvin Onwuka scoring 24 in the win. Also, Woking Blackhawk Flyers (1-3) defeated Folkestone Saints (2-2) 65-53 for their first league win.

In the South-East, Dagenham Dragons (3-1) claimed an 85-74 home win over Essex Blades (3-2), while Southwark Pride (4-1) remained joint top with an 83-84 success away at Cambridge Cats (1-4) as Greenwich Titans (4-1) also recorded victory with a comfortable 59-89 win at London Lewisham Thunder (2-3). Also, Kings Lynn Fury (3-1) managed to see off West Herts Warriors (3-2) 58-74 with a strong final quarter, and Northants Taurus (1-4) beat Anglia Ruskin University (0-5) 82-77 for their first win.

City of Birmingham (3-3) tied up their league record in the South-West with a 91-83 triumph over Coventry Tornadoes (3-3). James Dawe led Cardiff Met Archers (4-2) to an 81-67 win at home to Swindon Shock (3-3) with a 27-point haul, while Sporting Club Albion (3-3) claimed an 85-77 win against Oxford City (1-4), and Bristol Academy Flyers II (6-1) stayed top with a 74-81 victory away at Oxford Stealers (1-4).

Check back every Tuesday for the comprehensive round-up of NBL action!

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