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Tees United Lions A 85-93 Hartlepool Heat A

Hartlepool Heat were the visitors in this long awaited fixture and in front of a big crowd of more than 50 spectators, with both teams eager to progress up the table. At the start of the game Lions were ahead of Heat in second place after beating fellow Hartlepool outfit, the Hornets last week and were looking to put some heat of their own on the pace setters; Ormesby Tigers. The game didn't get off on the best foot, for Heat as star player; Adam Turner was injured in the tip off as he turned an ankle and didn't feature for the rest of the game, which could have had an adverse affect on Heat.

 

The visitors though had other ideas and started brightly with Carl Comer, Sean McKenzie and Anthony Robinson firing 3 pointers. In the first four minute only Alex Moore responded for Lions, although it was a healthy one with a strong lay up and 3 point play through an And 1 finish to take the scores to 5-9. Luke Musgrave provided Heat with an alternative to their outside threat as he weaved through the key for consecutive baskets. Again the hard working Moore batted his way to the hoop for Lions but the momentum was with Heat. The introduction of 6'10" Andrew Marshall brought some security for Lions in the sixth minute and in the first play Marshall found the target with a well worked low post move, followed by Steve Butler hitting a jump shot just inside the 3 point line to bring Lions within 2 points, 11-13.

 

Ian Barrow then connected for Heat for his first points followed by a shot from Robinson. Lions then gained some momentum of their own for the first time with Butler, Luke Thompson and Moore combining for a 6-0 run to tie the scores, 17-17 although Robinson fired back a 3 pointer in the last seconds of the game to give Heat a 3 point lead at the end of the first quarter, 17-20.

 

Butler opened the second quarter with a 3 pointer to tie the scores 20-20 but again Heat replied as Sean McKenzie first found the net followed by Barrow with a nicely executed shot from the top of the key. Thomson, Moore and Butler combined again tin the fourth minute for another 6-0 run and more importantly took the lead for the first time 26-24. Musgrave and McKenzie then produced a 7-0 run for the Heat in the seventh minute and for the remainder of the half both sides traded baskets and the lead until the last minute when the scores were tied and Hartlepool again hit a last gasp shot via Ian Barrow to take a slender but deserved 2 point lead at half time, 35-37.

 

After the interval, Hartlepool again provided a wounding blow as Colmer continued his accurate long range shooting with two 3 pointers. Marshall hit back for Lions to keep within 5 points and then predominantly quiet Thompson converted a lovely baseline drive through a crowd. Butler, along with everyone else aside of Moore was off target on too many occasions, but managed to string a two baskets together in the third minute and had an opportunity to take the lead at the free throw line but failed to convert both attempts. Nick Donnison came in for Heat to replace Colmer who was in foul trouble and opened his account with a strong move under the basket. Lions Andrew Marshall provided some much needed inspiration shortly after as he galvanised the defence and led the home team on offence to a 4 point lead, 49-45. Luke Musgrave was a thorn in the side of Lions as he quickly retrieved the lead and in the final two minutes Robinson and Colmer (2) produced three 3 pointers to maintain their lead. The margin was reduced slightly by an And 1 play from Thompson and a remarkable 4 point play from Butler who was fouled as he scored a 3 pointer. At the end of the third quarter the scoreboard read 59-65 and with Heat playing harder and more importantly for one another, Lions were facing an uphill struggle to claw this one back, especially as heads were starting to drop and some players failing to produce the goods.

 

The fourth quarter opened with Marshall drawing first blood with a powerful lay up. Butler made a shot in the second minute but the 3 point shooting of Heat was again on target as Robinson nailed a big shot to extend their lead to 7. With seven minutes remaining, Lions switched to a full court man to man defence, but their was a lack of commitment in denying the passing lanes and Robinson again found space at the mid way point of the quarter to fire two consecutive 3 pointers. Thompson and Butler provided a late rally but it wasn't enough and in the eighth minute things began to turn even worse for Lions as Moore lost control of his emotions and took his anger out on team mate; Butler which resulted in the pair having to be separated. James Burton hit the last points for Lions with a 3 pointer but the victory was sealed as Robinson converted both free throws for an 8 point win.

 

The MVP could have gone to three of Heat's players with Carl Colmer hitting five big 3 pointers and Luke Musgrave producing a near perfect game and refusing to allow Lions to extend their lead by coming up with big shots at crucial stages. The eventual winner though was Anthony Robinson who sealed victory with some tough shots and led his team with 26 points.

 

Moore's actions, especially giving up on the game and in front of a big crowd were unacceptable and something for which he was immediately remorseful. His first half contribution was invaluable, scoring half of Lions first quarter points, but it was his heart and work ethic which was crucial to Lions chances and this was inconsistent in the second half. The normally active Luke Thompson looked lost, which has been a problem for Lions in crucial games this season. In the first half the majority of play was controlled via Butler and Moore, which resulted in Thompson unable to adjust to a supporting role, but it is important for all players to be able to adjust to different roles for different games. The athleticism of Thompson could have provided at least 20 additional points from missed shots and rebounds. Butler was at times too eager to win which resulted in some poor shots, but he made up for any errors three fold on defence and it was this element and desire to prove which was missing from Thompson. The season is not yet over but Lions have stumbled more than once on the big occasion and it is now time for the players to regroup and work together, not for themselves but for whatever role is needed to ensure the team can win the game. This role has been evident in the recent performances by Moore and Burton who are both capable of scoring 30+ but have modified their roles for the better good of the team. Moore in particular has been playing out of position, but giving his all, a trait which has seen him become an MVP contender in the last three games.

 

Teams   Lions Heat 7 9 11 14 45 50 65 99 David Whitney Stuart Davison* Steve Butler* Hayden Patterson James Burton* Alex Moore* Luke Thompson* Andrew Marshall 0 2 4 5 9 11 12 13 16 21 23 Edward Campbell Ian Barrow* Antony Reed Carl Colmer* Andrew Ray Sean McKenzie* Luke Musgrave Nick Donnison Adam Wilcox Anthony Robinson* Adam Turner* Coach: James Thomson Asst Coach: Captain: Steve Butler Coach: Anthony Robinson Asst Coach: Captain: Anthony Robinson * starting players   Referees Steve Lynas & Tony Pfeiffer

Anthony Robinson earned the MVP for his big shots at crucial stages of the game

Game MVP: Anthony Robinson, Hartlepool Heat   Top Scorers Lions: Butler 36, Thompson 18, Moore 15, Marshall 11, Burton 5   Heat: Robinson 26, Musgrave 21, Colmer 20, KcKenzie 14, Barrow 10, Donnison 2

 

 

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