U16 vs Bristol Storm away 12.1.13

Bristol Storm U16’s Vs. Worcester Wolves U16’s

Venue: St. Mary Redcliffe School - Bristol

Date 12/01/13 Tip Off: 1:00pm

Team

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

Bristol Storm

20

42

62

82

Worcester Wolves

14

29

42

48

 

 






Wolves u16’s started 2013 with a trip to Bristol to face Bristol Storm in the National League South West Conference. After a good start to their inaugural season the Wolves form had dipped recently and the team were keen to get 2013 off to a winning start having lost the last 5 games of 2012.

Despite a 25 minute delay to the tip-off time, only announced when the Wolves starting 5 were actually on court, it was Wolves that started brightly. An early basket from Will Briggs put Wolves in front before two quick baskets for the home team gave Bristol a 4-2 lead. A further basket for Briggs restored parity before Dominic Elliot was fouled in the act of shooting and he successfully converted his two shots from the charity stripe to give Wolves a 2 point advantage. Wolves then began to execute the fast break and as the long range pass found Kieran Henry-Fellows he made his lay-up and Wolves were looking in control. However it was Bristol that were playing the more aggressive basketball and within the space of 30 seconds they hit two unanswered 3 point baskets to take a 2 point advantage with 3 minutes of the quarter remaining. With Dylan Aresu replacing Henry-Fellows, Bristol went for the full court press and with Wolves committing too many turnovers the Storm went on a 6-2 run to end the quarter 6 ahead at 20-14.

The second quarter started slowly for Wolves and after just 2 minutes the lead had increased to 10. With some good offensive rebounding from Dan Cox Wolves staged a mini fight back with baskets from Elliot and Matt Vicary, but this was only short lived as Wolves attempted too many long range passes from deep inside their own half resulting in easy interceptions and baskets for the home team. With the lead now 12 points at 30-18 coach Smith replaced Aresu with Henry-Fellows and also brought on Sam Bishop. Bishop took control offensively and scored 6 points in the quarter as he tried single handedly to restore some credibility to the scoreline. Wolves however had no answer to Bristols speed and movement around court and as they hit 2 further 3 point baskets the half time lead had extended to 13 points at 42-29.

Any chance of a comeback in the second half required Wolves to have some belief in their own ability, find a way to combat the strength and athleticism of the opposition, and have a bit of luck. One minute in and the luck was with Bristol, a clash of heads resulted in Wolves losing their big man as Dan White left the court with a blood injury. Wolves then committed too many offensive fouls as Bristol scored 9 unanswered baskets, most of them from the charity stripe. Elliot finally pulled a basket back for Wolves, on his way to being top scorer, before bad luck again hit Wolves. As Cox tried valiantly to control the defensive boards he was thrown to floor after making his 3rd block of the game, with the Bristol Big landing on top of him it was immediately clear that Wolves had lost another player, blurred vision, dizziness and back pain cutting short his match. When Wolves needed a player to step up it was time for Ben Garrad to take control, he somehow found space in the Bristol defence and two powerful drives gave Wolves 4 points but the match was already lost with the lead at the end of the 3rd quarter now 22 at 62-40.

Bristol dominated the final quarter, Wolves only making two field goals in 10 minutes, but one of them was the shot of the games as Briggs made a 3 point basket from downtown to raise a brief smile on the Wolves bench. A 20-8 final quarter defeat gave Bristol a deserved victory, however a 34 point overall margin was not reflective of the difference in the two sides and Wolves should look forward to the return fixture in March with some hope that more control on the court, better decision making leading to fewer turnovers could and should see them avenge this defeat.

Wolves U16’s are on the road again next week as they make an early start to face Taunton Tigers II, tip-off 11:00 am, earlier in the season Wolves won the home fixture 84-53.

Wolves Top Scores: Dominic Elliot 10 points, Will Briggs 9 points and Sam Bishop 6 points.

Report written by Robert Cox.




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