v

 

Ormesby Tigers 60-65 Middlesbrough Lions

Two of last seasons D1 contenders met in their first game, both sporting depleted sides due to illness and injury, although the match was as exciting as they come with a nail biting end to provide Lions with their first win over the Tigers. Lions were without a number of key players in Ben Robinson, Rob Bryson, Sid Nicholls while Tigers were missing influential Rob Harland.

Tigers started the stronger side as big man Lee Woolams dominated proceedings with 8 straight points. Neil Harrison provided the only response with Lions with a sweet 3 pointer. In the fourth minute Lions clawed back to within 2pts with Leighton hitting a nice shot and Burton adding 1of2 free throws. It was then basket for basket until Tigers finished strong, again Woolams at the centre of things as he added another 6pts to take a 19-10 score into the 2nd quarter.

Lions focussed their defence on Woolams with the smallest but most tenacious defender in Neil Harrison closing down the 6’8” big man after an initial basket. Harrison was also first back and at one point halted a Tigers fast break on three consecutive occasions. Leighton was also producing good defence along with great rebounding from Michael Wassell but still Lions were down 10pts. In the fifth minute Wassell went to the line but failed to convert both free throws, while at the other end Steve Dolphin nailed a 3 pointer. A 3 pointer from Burton and a mid range shot from Thomson brought Lions to within 8 which was further reduced to 5 after more good play from Burton, taking the half time score to 34-29.

Tigers had the edge in height and experience and were enjoying a comfortable lead throughout the first half but the third quarter would tear up the rest of the script as Lions produced an 11-0 run instigated by Burton and Thomson 3 pointers to take their first lead of the game 36-40. Woolams halted the run with a strong low post move and Dolphin again fired a 3. Rob Brown then regained the lead for Tigers on the stroke of the eighth minute to provide a pendulum of advantage in the final four minutes of the quarter, Lions finishing on the right side of a 43-46 score as Wassell cushioned a shot off the backboard.

In the final quarter Rob Brown and Woolams combined well to provide 14 of the 19pts Tigers scored but it was James Burton who won the game with two huge 3 pointers in the final 30 seconds to seal a 60-65 win for the Lions.

Woolams was the main threat for Tigers but the MVP was a tight call between Lions’ Neil Harrison for his defence and eventual winner James Burton who top scored with 30pts.

 

Game Stats   Lions Tigers Coach: James Thomson Asst Coach: Captain: James Thomson Coach: Dave Murphy Asst Coach: Captain: Dave Murphy Referees Steve Lynas & Darren Butler   Top Scorers 30 11 8 6 6 Burton Thomson Leighton Harrison Wassell 28 15 9 Woolams Brown R Dolphin   Rebounds 14 9 8 5 Wassell Leighton Harrison Thomson 11 11 6 Woolams Cowell Brown R Assists 3 3   Harrison Thomson 3 2 Dolphin Cowell Steals 7 5 5 Wassell Harrison Leighton 4 3 Brown M Brown R

Game Stats continued   Blocks 2 2 1 Harrison Wassell Burton 2 Woolams Turn Overs 24 21 9 5 4 Leighton Thomson Harrison   5 4 4 Brown R Dolphin Woolams       James Burton was yet again on top form, as he picked up this season where he left off last.

Game MVP: James Burton, Middlesbrough Lions

 

 

© Game Time