Middlesbrough Lions match report

O'Connor Leads Lions To First Win!!

at Eston Sports Academy, 16/11/08

Middlesbrough Lions U15 71-70 North Shields Storm

North Shields Storm were the visitors to Eston Sports Academy for Lions first home game in the Junior National League. The Storm came to Middlesbrough on the back of some heavy defeats, although a win over local rivals Gateshead Hawks gave them a timely boost ahead of this fixture. It must also be said that the visitors, although overawed at the magnificent arena whose centre court they were about to grace arrived to Eston in suits and looked very professional, a trait that Lions have used for their National League teams to provide a smart outlook and sense of unity and pride.

With Storm eager to impress, Dan Brown had other ideas as Lions exploded into life from the very start. Brown made an early steal and found the cutting Philip Findlay for the first points. This was replied to instantly by Ellis Douglas, but Brown was again all over the unsuspecting Storm and managed to force another steal which he this time converted himself. The first two minutes were all action as Findlay committed a foul which placed Liam Hampton to the line although he failed to connect on both attempts but would shortly make amends with a fine shot off the backboard after a Declan Murphy lay up. The game was truly end to end and only three minutes had been played. Brown, who had been instrumental so far went to the next level as he diminutive guard hit the next 8 straight points with only a Robert Bolt free throw in reply. Lions now led 12-7. In the seventh minute North Shields regained the lead with a 3 pointer from Bolt and then extended to 12-16 through Bolt's athletic drive to the basket. Patrick O'Connor and Chris Chapman were enjoying good defensive displays and both added late baskets but a lapse in concentration afforded Douglas the opportunity of two late baskets to take a 18-22 lead at the end of the quarter.

Patrick O'Connor received the ball at the top of the key and lost his defender with a lovely crossover to enable a strong drive to the basket for 2pts. O'Connor and Brown combined well within the first three minutes to produce a 7-2 run and a 1pt lead, 25-24. In the fourth minute Shane Beadle caught a great pass from O'Connor and went straight to the rack to regain the lead after Bolt had put Storm ahead. Unfortunately for Storm coach; Alex Radu, he would watch his team well and truly weathered in the last 6 minutes of the half as they failed to score a basket in open play and their only offensive contribution being a single free throw from Bolt. Lions meanwhile had discovered the form of their season as O'Connor led a 16-1 run, adding 10pts himself. Lions would outscore the visitors 23-5 in this quarter to take a commanding 41-27 lead at half time.

Lions coaching staff of James Thomson and Sid Nicholls were more than impressed with the character shown and asked for more of the same, but the pep talk from European coach; Radu had the better effect as the Storm battered Lions in the first eight minutes to tie the game 46-46 and prove they would not go down without a fight. An impressive performance from Hampton was the key for the visitors although he had good support from Douglas and Spencer Hind. For Lions, Beadle had entered into foul trouble on 4 personal and if he received 1 more he would be fouled out. To risk the big centre in this quarter would possibly have been more dangerous than the impressive run North Shields had amassed. O'Connor was the only Lion to mark the sheet as he produced a remarkable And 1 play, converting the lay up and following in with another great shot on the next play. For five minutes after though, Lions would fail to score and the great performance in the second quarter was now a distant memory.

Shane Beadle, who time and again seems to pop up at the right times re-entered the game in the eighth minute, collected a rebound and put back the shot to re-take the lead. With both sets of supporters on the edge of their seats, the atmosphere at Eston was electric. Findlay then added another basket as he glided by the baseline and although Storm star; Bolt added a jump shot in the final minute, Lions would finish better as O'Connor made a layup through traffic and James Parkin who was enjoying a great game, pounced on a missed shot, faked the defender and scored a strong layup for a 6pt lead, 54-48.

Findlay got the final quarter underway as he was fouled on the drive. The young Lions would make 1of2 free throws and after O'Connor made a shot from the top of the key Lions lead was at 9ps, 57-48. Douglas and Burnano responded for Storm but a crucial 3 pointer from O'Conner in the corner knocked the wind out of Storm. In the fifth minute North Shields finally found some luck as Bolt hit a 3 pointer to instigate an 8-0 run and tie the game 62-62. On the seventh minute O'Connor had the chance to take the lead, but would miss both attempts at the line after being fouled. Hind would then follow trend for Storm as he missed both but on the second miss Burnano was at the ball quickest and managed to fight his way to the basket for a 2pt advantage in favour of the visitors.

With the game in hanging delicately in the balance, a hero would emerge in Philip Findlay who went to the line twice, converting 3of4 attempts but also resulting in captain Robert Bolt being fouled out with just over two minutes remaining. This was a big blow for Storm as they had already lost Hind and Burnano and Murphy were on 4 fouls apiece. A tremendous and courageous effort from Hampton would provide 6pts for North Shields in the final minute but the 5pts from O'Connor and Findlay was enough to earn a 1pt victory, 71-70.

The first taste of a win for Lions juniors was sweet and such a thrilling, close game should have carried a health warning. Unfortunately the well drilled visitors fell short at the last hurdle, but both teams left the court with a mouth watering prospect when the two teams meet again.

Patrick O'Connor was sublime throughout and top scored with a cool 33pts, the 12 year old already established as one of the best players in the U15 league. The game would not have been won however without the great start from Dan Brown who added 10pts in the first quarter and the great finish from Philip Findlay who added 6pts in the final quarter. For Storm, Liam Hampton was impressive collecting 20pts and 14 rebounds but even more so were the terrific stats of Robert Bolt who collected 19pts, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 4 blocks and only 3 turnovers.