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Tees United Lions 66-71 Nunthorpe Velocity

Lions lost narrowly in their best display of the season, having led comfortably for the majority of the first three quarters. It will be a bitter pill to swallow for the Lions B players, having controlled the game for such a long time to then lose out in the fourth quarter. For the neutral, the game provided an exciting finale as both teams battled for the victory.

 

In the first quarter the visiting Velocity opened up the scoring with a 3 pointer from Phil Hale. Michael Peddie was quick to respond for Lions as he went to the line after being fouled by Lewis Tovey. Peddie converted both free throws and seconds later Matthew Brown fired a 3 pointer to take a 2 point lead. Velocity then went on a 5-0 run with good work from Wade Tovey and an 'And 1' play by Chris Booth. Tees United then responded in dramatic fashion with an 11-4 run including a big 3 pointer from Michael Peddie, his first of the season, to take a slender, but all important 4 point lead at the end of the quarter, 16-14.

 

The second quarter was again opened up with a 3 pointer, this time from Lions Matthew Brown and the introduction of talented youngster; Patrick O'Connor brought about another two baskets from the 12 year old. In the first five minutes Lions had double the points tally of their opponents, 12-6 and everything was going better than planned. The Lions defence was water tight as the back trio of Miles Sayer, Matthew Norman and 13 year old Marshall Patterson held the usually dominant Lewis Tovey and Phil Hale at bay.

 

In the final five minutes of the second quarter, the scoring was more even, Velocity's cause helped b the introduction of new signing; Soloman Gebresalassie, whose speed and vision created problems for the Lions. In the sixth minute, Matthew Brown re-entered the game for O'Connor and delivered the goods with 8 points, including two 3 pointers. Velocity countered with a 'tag team' effort from father and son combo, Wade and Lewis Tovey who hit 8 points between them. Matthew Norman and Miles Sayer both produced nice moves to finish the half on a high for Lions with the score at 46-34.

 

In the third quarter, Tees United would witness their fortunes begin to fade as, although Norman and Brown hit the first two baskets, Nunthorpe replied with a big 3 pointer from Gebresalassie and two converted free throws from Hale. Whereas the visitors were finding it hard to buy a basket in the first half, things were now beginning to click. Lewis Tovey continued to drive for Velocity and by his usual high standards was not enjoying the best of games, but nevertheless was a constant threat. In the fifth minute his inconsistent game was echoed as he missed both free throws and then compensated with a nice baseline drive, although the Lions were still ahead by 10 points, 53-43. In the last two minutes of the third, Lions only scored 3 points via a Peddie lay up and Norman free throw. Nunthorpe seemed to be building for these last two minutes and went on a crushing run 9 unanswered points to tie the game 56-56. A last second 3 pointer from Gebresalassie would have more than points implications as such a shot was a demoralising blow for the young Lions, who having worked so hard and played so well had watched a 14 point lead disappear.

 

The fourth and final quarter was as exciting as they come. Velocity opened up with another 3 pointer, this time from Tom Early, while Sayer could have tied the game with an 'And 1' play after being fouled by Gebresalassie although he failed to convert the bonus shot and Velocity led by 1 point. In the third minute Peddie made good a 10 foot jump shot and Brown followed up with another close jump shot to steal the lead by 1 point. The next three minutes saw two determined sides not wanting to lose as both teams tightened their defence, resulting in no points for either side.

 

In the sixth minute Velocity, influenced by their new addition; Gebresalassie, scored 6 points with 4 from Gebresalassie to effectively seal the game. Lions ploughed away and caught a small lifeline when Peddie and Thomson added late baskets after Lewis Tovey missed both free throws from a foul which saw Matthew Norman leave the game after his fifth personal foul. This brought the Lions back to within a point, 66-67, but they couldn't find th missing ingredient that would give them the win and in the end Phil Hale wrapped up business with a basket and a free throw. The final shot of the game from a Lewis Tovey free throw awarding the visiting Nunthorpe a 5 point victory, 66-71.

 

In the first three quarters any one of the five starting players for Lions could have collected the MVP. Their superb play made it difficult for the coach to bring them off and even when they were rested, O'Connor, Selahi and Slaso enterd the game to maintain the high standard. As it was, the deciding factor in this game was the introduction of Soloman Gebresalassie who with 12 points was not the leading scorer but his contribution including big shots at crucial stages of the game gave Nunthorpe a massive boost. Phil Hale was solid and added 19 while veteran; Wade Tovey proved his worth adding 10. Peddie and Brown were the leading scorers adding 22 and 21 respectively, both payers enjoying superb games with Brown hitting four 3 pointers.

 

Teams   Lions Velocity 3 5 8 14 15 17 18 23 25 32 34 45 Michael Peddie* Alan Slasor Matthew Brown* Marshall Patterson* Arash Selahi Charlie Collins Patrick O'Connor Dan Brown James Thomson Matthew Norman* Steph Edwards Miles Sayer* 0 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 Colin Parry Daniel McKeen Phil Hale* Chris Booth* Tom Early* Gavin Yoxall Adam Tovey Solomon Gebresalassie Lewis Tovey* Wade Tovey*   Coach: James Thomson Asst Coach: Captain: Matthew Brown Coach: Lewis Tovey Asst Coach: Wade Tovey Captain: Lewis Tovey   Game MVP: Solomon Gebresalassie   Top Scorers Lions: Peddie 22, Brown 21, Norman 11, Sayer 6, O'Connor 4, Thomson 2   Velocity: Hale 19, Tovey L 15, Gebresalassie 12, Tovey W 10, Booth 9, Early 7

The game began so well for Lions with all five starters worthy of MVP

 

 

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