Around the NBL 16/17 – Week 13

By Bradley Gains on December 14, 2016

National Cup

Team Northumbria and Solent Kestrels will contest next month’s National Cup Final at the University of Worcester Arena after coming through their respective semi-finals.

Marc Steutel’s side were down 10 at the half against D1 rivals Derby Trailblazers before producing a 12-19 final period to claim a 70-73 victory on the road. Jack Preston netted 22 points in the win as Northumbria reach the Cup Final for the first time.

Solent Kestrels ended the Cup run of D2 leaders, Kent Crusaders after recording a 92-84 home victory to set up a clash with Northumbria. Stephen Danso top scored with 21 points with Colt Fason and Marquis Mathis adding valuable support with 20 and 18 points respectively.

Division One

With the top two in D1 not in action because of their showdown in the National Cup, Manchester Magic (9-2) closed the gap with a 78-92 win away at Hemel Storm (3-7). Lee Goldsbrough and Stefan Gill starred in the win with 21 points apiece.

Lyonell Gaines tallied 37 points and 17 rebounds to lead Worthing Thunder (3-8) to a 91-73 win against Westminster Warriors (0-10) with Tom Ward adding 14 points and eight assists in his side’s third league success. Meanwhile, London Lituanica (4-5) secured a 70-74 victory on the road against Essex Leopards (3-7).

Leicester Warriors (4-7) claimed an 88-77 home win over Bradford Dragons (6-6) behind 24 points, 13 rebounds and five assists from Leome Franics. Warriors’ Rodney Sanders added 20 points, while Marcus Gooding had a game-high of 27 points in vain for the Dragons.

On Sunday, Reading Rockets (6-3) continued their winnning run with a 67-88 success away at Loughborough Student Riders (6-5) despite 21 points and 10 rebounds from Josh Ward-Hibbert on debut following his switch from Derby. The visitors were led by Danny Carter, who had 23 points and 13 boards, while Chris Hooper hauled down 16 rebounds to go with 17 points in the win.

Division Two

The unbeaten start of Kent Crusaders (8-1) came to an end on Saturday as London Westside (5-5) secured a 56-60 success on the road. Kayne Henry-McCalla top scored with 16 points as his side came from five points down at the half to win.

Charlton Jones went 8-of-11 from downtown in an impressive 55-point haul whilst adding seven rebounds and six assists to lead Tees Valley Mohawks (3-6) to a 106-102 victory over Derbyshire Arrows (5-5). The visitors were paced by Aaron Moseley’s 39 points with Joseph Baugh adding 21 points and 15 rebounds.

The full game is available here.

Ipswich (5-6) claimed their fifth league win with a 77-96 success at Newham Neptunes (1-9) as Leigh Greenan netted 37 points on 16-of-18 shooting, while Caleb Fuller added 11 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.

There was a second win for Doncaster Danum Eagles (2-8) as they edged out Nottingham Hoods (4-6) 59-58 after surviving a 4-22 final period to hold on in Scunthorpe. Also, London Greenhouse Pioneers (8-2) defeated Liverpool (2-7) 84-76 on Sunday as Luca Picinni top scored with 21 points.

Division Three

Team Birmingham Elite (7-2) continue to keep up the pressure on the league leaders in D3 North after they recorded a 62-56 win against Worcester Wolves II (5-5). Meanwhile, Charnwood Riders (7-2) racked up 69 first-half points en route to a dominant 71-107 success away at Mansfield Giants (1-9).

Birmingham Mets (5-4) held on to beat Sheffield Hallam Sharks (4-5) 86-81 with Daniel Belgrave leading the way with 23 points, despite a 27-point haul from George Brownell for the visitors. Also, Coventry Tornadoes (3-5) claimed a comfortable 94-66 win against Sefton Stars (0-10).

In D3 South action, Sussex Bears (7-1) remain top after handing a first loss to Team Solent Kestrels II (6-1) as Darren scored 31 points in the win. Gedi Juozapaitis led Southwark Pride (2-5) to a 74-83 win at Oxford Brookes University (2-6) with 28 points

Elsewhere, Brunel University Ducks (4-3) defeated Northants Thunder (4-4) 83-68 as Adam Thoseby poured in 32 points and on Sunday, Middlesex LTBC (7-2) saw off the challenge of Greenwich Titans (3-7) with a 73-62 home victory to move into second.

Division Four

Manchester Giants II (7-0) are still perfect in D4 North after beating Kingston Panthers (5-5) 56-92, while Leeds Force Academy (4-2) saw off Barrow Thorns (2-6) with Justin Missick scoring 20 points in a 62-67 success. Kendal Warriors (2-7) were also victorious after beating Sefton Stars II (0-7) 68-58.

In D4 Midlands, Shropshire Warriors (7-2) defeated Sheffield Sabres (3-6) 88-55 as Siggy Hoar weighed in with 31 points, while Team Wolverhamtpon (6-1) claimed a 70-49 win against City of Birmingham (2-6).

Middlesex Saxons (7-2) are on top of D4 South-East after beating Chelmsford Lions (4-4) 60-65 despite being down by 10 at the end of the first. Kent Crusaders II (6-3) were beaten 77-82 at home to Folkestone Saints (5-5), while Josh Edwards netted 29 points in a 74-85 road win in overtime for London Lewisham Thunder (6-3) over Cambrdige Cats (1-7). Also, Oaklands College (4-4) edged out Anglia Ruskin University (0-9) 64-69.

In D4 South-West, Swindon Shock (7-2) maintain top spot with an 83-77 win against Cardiff City (4-2), while RCT Gladiators (6-0) remain unbeaten as they recorded a 111-85 victory over Southampton University Sharks (4-5) with Phil Warren scoring 40 points. Bristol Storm (4-4) defeated Woking Blackhawks (3-4) 76-71, while Plymouth Rebels (2-3) lost out 78-81 against Oxford Stealers (2-5) despite 36 points from Jason Carr.

National Shield

Fourth Round

Barking Abbey edged out Southwark Pride 66-61 despite 29 points from Gedi Juozapaitis as they reached the quarter-finals. Team Birmingham Elite recorded a convincing 94-41 win over Worcester Wolves II, while Brunel University Ducks defeated Cambridge Cats 72-97 behind Adam Thoseby’s 24 points on the road.

Abdoulaye Sylla scored 35 points to lead Oxford Brookes University past Plymouth Rebels 50-82 and were joined in the last eight by Charnwood Riders as they edged out Stoke-on-Trent Knights 76-79 away from home.

Sussex Bears advanced with a 20-0 victory as a result of their opponents forfeiting, while either Calderdale Explorers or University of Chester will complete the last eight lineup next week

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