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Tees United Lions 94-81 Thirsk Thunder

It was Cup time for the third time for the Tees United Lions Club as the Lions B hosted Thirsk Thunder. Lions B were awarded a 30 point lead for the handicap cup with both teams on equal points per basket. A big blow was dealt to the Lions with Matthew Brown breaking his wrist two nights before although Thunder were only able to travel with six players due to extensive injury problems of their own.

 

The game started with a body blow for Lions as although they scored the first 4 points through Michael Peddie and Chris Tappenden, Thunder produced a 14-0 run in the following four minutes leading to Lions coach, James Thomson calling a Time Out. The defence was switched to a man to man but again as Tappenden struggled to contain Thunder's lethal weapon in Craig Wakefield, the Thirsk outfit piled on the misery for the home team. Thomson then switched Tappenden for 12 year old Patrick O'Connor, young and small but probably the most tenacious defender and although he managed to get one steal, the desired result was still not happening. Thunder continued to punish the home teams terrible defence with Adam Walsh and Matthew Norman struggling to cope, while Wakefield and William Fisher were enjoying some great individual basketball. Lions were relieved to hear the first quarter buzzer, to enable themselves to regroup. Thirsk meanwhile thoroughly deserved their 8-23 lead and were looking on course to avenge their 30 point handicap.

 

In the second quarter a bad foul was immediately committed by Lions which sent Wakefield to the line for a bonus shot after making the basket. The Thunder veteran failed to convert his free throw but a worrying trend of incompetent fouls from the Lions was beginning to emerge as within one minute another And 1 play was awarded to Thunder's Simon Taylorson with the big young forward converting his to take a 20 point lead, 10-30. Shortly after, Adam Walsh made a nice jump shot inside the key, but the usually lively guard was struggling with illness and this was reflected with some poor shots. Chris Tappenden was also looking lethargic, not getting back on defence quickly enough and although he was leading the way in points for Lions, he was missing far more than he made, which was leading to more points for Thunder. All in all the game was the worst defensive display from Lions this season and Thunder were looking likely to win. At half time Thirsk were in front 25-48, a score line reduced thanks to a late run of 7 points from Lions Michael Peddie.

 

The Lions camp were so infuriated by their lack of conviction that as the referee requested the starting players for the third quarter, Lions had not even warmed up due to their intense team talk. Coach Thomson was looking for a player to step up. There was only one way to win this game and this was to take Thunder's Wakefield out of the game, deny him the ball. Tappenden and O'Connor had both been unable to do this and so intentions were turned to athletic centre; Matthew Norman. Norman's instructions were to forget about the ball, forget about the game and focus on denying the leagues leading scorer from touching the ball. In the first play Norman allowed Wakefield to receive the pass although his long arms recovered to knock the ball out of play. Sensing the tactical problems he was now facing, Thirsk player/coach; Wakefield called a time out, though this had a bigger advantage for Lions as Coach Thomson was able to reinforce his instructions for Norman. Walking on the court Thomson reiterated that Norman could be the hero if he were able to shut down the danger of Craig Wakefield.

 

The result was immediate as Norman's smothering presence denied any passing opportunity to Wakefield while this confidence boost also aided the 17 year old Lion on offence as he converted two consecutive jump shots to instigate a 12-0 run for the home team. Dean Watson broke the run with a coast to coast basket from one end of the court to the other which now posed a new threat. Norman was doing his job on defence by removing any threat from Wakefield but the box zone of the other four Lions was beginning to shake as Richard Wright and Sean Taylorson almost walked through to the basket without any contention from the Lions. Lions seemed to be lost between not playing defence and committing silly fouls. In the final minute Thunder were ahead 19 points in the game but were down on the handicap, 75-56 although this was reduced as Wright hit a shot and then Fisher made another And 1 play but failed to covert the bonus. In the third quarter, Wakefield was restricted to only 2 points, but more importantly the momentum was beginning to shift as frustration began to creep into the visitors. Lions were now the happier team with a 45-60 score line, but 15 ahead with the handicap.

 

The all important final quarter opened with Wakefield receiving the ball and driving all the way to the basket for 2 points. Tappenden replied for Lions with two well worked shots in the low post and the slick driving of Mile Sayer continued to pose threats for Thunder. In the fifth minute Thomson called another Time Out for Lions to push Peddie a little higher up the court when Thunder were in-bounding the ball to stop Wakefield from receiving the ball.

 

The experience of Wakefield enabled him to break free on occasion but again the superb defence by Norman limited him to only 9 points in the quarter. Richard Wright chipped in with 8 points for Thirsk and for Lions Tappenden and Sayer combined for 10 points to take a 64-81 loss in regulation but a 94-81 win with the 30 point head start.

 

Craig Wakefield scored 29 points in the first half but due to the smothering defence by Matthew Norman could only manage 11 in the second half. Norman has displayed less than average performances on a number of occasions this season but there was no question about who was the hero and MVP for this game.

 

Lions B will now progress to the second round of the Cup along with Lions A.

 

Teams   Lions Thunder 2 3 10 14 18 22 30 32 99 Patrick O'Connor Michael Peddie* Philip Findlay Marshall Patterson Adam Walsh* Miles Sayer* Chris Chapman Matthew Norman* Chris Tappenden* 7 8 11 18 23 33 Simon Taylorson William Fisher Dean Watson Richard Wright Sean Taylorson Craig Wakefield   Coach: James Thomson Asst Coach: Captain: Adam Walsh Coach: Craig Wakefield Asst Coach: Captain: Craig Wakefield   Game MVP: Matthew Norman   Top Scorers Lions: Tappenden 24, Peddie 13, Sayer 11, Norman 10, O’Connor 4, Walsh 2   Thunder: Wakefield 40, Fisher 17, Wright 13, Taylorson Sean 6, Taylorson Simon 3, Watson 2

Matthew Norman of Lions was awarded the MVP for his best performance of the season

 

 

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