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Hartlepool Heat 104-110 Middlesbrough Lions

Hartlepool started well as they opened the game with a 3 pointer from Sean McKenzie. Alex Moore responded for Lions with a nice drive but Heat quickly took a 7-2 lead with the graceful Adam Turner adding a brace of baskets in the second minute. By the mid way point of the first quarter Lions were trailing by 3pts soon to be 8pts when Anthony Robinson hit a 3 followed by the increasingly unstoppable Lee Davie driving strong for a close range shot of the backboard. James Burton provided a welcome basket for the visitors but another Robinson 3 left Lions down 9, 17-8. With two minutes remaining Chris Leighton pulled up a jumper just inside the key but Davie and McKenzie were once again too hot to handle as they extended the Heat lead to 12. The introduction of Luke Thompson and Rob Bryson for Lions helped to bring some fortune the way of the visitors as Middlesbrough produced a 10-0 run in the last minute to bring the game within 2points, 22-20. Chris Leighton was superb scoring 6pts in this run and 10 in the quarter.

 

A messy start to the second quarter would see both teams visit the line after heavy fouls. In the first five minutes Lions were 4of6 and Heat were 1of4 from free throws but Lions were now leading 27-30 after Michael Wassell made amends for an earlier miss with a strong lay up from the powerful forward. Just when things were seemingly flowing the way of Middlesbrough, Hartlepool again stepped up their game as Robinson fired another 3 pointer to instigate a 7-0 run and regain the lead. Daniel Cooper made his first scoring impact for Middlesbrough in the seventh minute with a long range shot but Turner and Ian Barrow were ensuring the home lead stayed in tact as for every basket Lions scored Heat were scoring two or three. Another good finish form Leighton would ensure Lions were still in the game 45-40 at half time.

 

Michael Wassell re-entered the game in the third quarter only to leave 30 second later after picking up his fourth foul. Davie would convert one of his attempts and Barrow was quickest off the mark to collect the second miss and convert the shot to take Hartlepool 8 in front. In the second minute Kemroy Wallace showed Lions what's to come from the new boy as he earned a number of steals and did well to score his first basket for Middlesbrough. Shortly after, Luke Thompson took the game to Heat as he drove well, earning fouls in the process and converting 3of4 attempts although the Lions were still down 52-45.

 

Hartlepool's tenacious defence and excellent perimeter shooting was working well having already nailed six 3 pointers, they would go on to finish the game with 12 from outside the arc. By the seventh minute and with a switch in defence Lions were clawing their way back. Rob Bryson drove to the hoop with conviction and 5pts from James Burton reduced the home lead to 9pts, 65-56. Another great finish from Lions would bring them to within 3pts by the end of the quarter, another 3 from Robinson and last second shot from Turner ensuring Heat led.

 

In the final quarter, Lions pressed from the offset and gained a break when James Burton stole the ball and made an And 1 play, converting the bonus to tie the game 76-76. Bryson then sailed in a shot from close range to take the lead. Robinson hit his sixth 3 pointer to regain the lead and followed in with another two shortly after. Thompson and Moore replied for Lions but they were back down by 7pts, 91-84 with six minutes remaining. Thompson, Burton and Moore combined to add 8pts but the lead was still in favour of Heat as Turner knocked down yet another 3 pointer. In the seventh minute, Luke Thompson brought Lions back into the lead as he made two consecutive baskets as he weaved his way to the hoop, 97-98 and Cooper provided Heat with a real concern as he then sunk a 3 pointer to extend Lions lead to 4pts. Davie ploughed through Lions once more to provide Heat with a glimmer of hope, but two free throws from Thompson maintained Middlesbrough advantage, even after a 3 from McKenzie. Davie drove once more as Lions held their breath but a monster block from Cooper at last stopped the impressive guard. With Heat now having to foul to stop the clock Thompson and Moore wrapped up affairs with two free throws apiece to take a 6pt victory for Middlesbrough.

 

Overall, this game provided a great advert for local basketball with two top teams full of talent putting on a show. The game changed lead throughout and although the leads enjoyed by Heat were more impressive, Middlesbrough did enough to deserve the game. Lee Davie and Adam Turner were excellent throughout and the almost invisible Ian Barrow proved what a good player he is as he silently added 22pts. Anthony Robinson was the player of the game for Heat with 28pts including six 3's. For Lions Chris Leighton was a true asset in the first half while Luke Thompson proved just as valuable in the second, finishing the games top scorer with 29. Lions had five players in double figures. James Burton and Alex Moore both played well, as did Daniel Cooper who stepped up at crucial times with big shots.

 

The MVP was awarded to Alex Moore of Middlesbrough who led the game in three categories with 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals as well as chipping in 24pts.

 

Game Stats   Lions Tigers Coach: James Thomson Asst Coach: Captain: Michael Wassell Coach: Anthony Robinson Asst Coach: Captain: Anthony Robinson Referees Steve Lynas & Tony Pfeifer   Top Scorers 29 24 18 18 11 Thompson Moore Burton Leighton Cooper 28 22 21 21 9 Robinson Barrow Davie Turner McKenzie Rebounds 47 32 12 11 7 5 5 3 Moore Bryson Thompson Burton Wassell Cooper 8 7 4 3 3 3 Turner Errington McKenzie Barrow Davie Robinson Assists 16 12 6 5 2 Moore Thompson Leighton 3 2 2 2 Turner Davie Errington Robinson Steals 13 11 6 3 3 2 Moore Burton Thompson Wallace 5 3 Turner Barrow

Game Stats continued   Blocks 2 1 1 1 Cooper Wallace 1 Robinson Turn Overs 18 13 6 3   Moore Leighton 4 4 Barrow Robinson     Alex Moore, despite leading the losses with 6 was the catalyst in majority of Lions action and led the game in three categories.

Game MVP: Alex Moore, Middlesbrough Lions

 

 

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