Lions B team hosted their first
home game against Richmond
Vikings B and the side did not
disappoint with an eventual 34pt
victory over the Yorkshire
outfit.
Lions began well with captain;
Michael Peddie going to the line
after being fouled. He converted
1 of 2 free throws but then
followed up with a nice drive to
take a 3-2 lead after John Ford
made a lay up. In the third
minute Miles Sayer and Peddie
added further points and by the
fourth minute, Lions had taken a
9-2 lead until Vikings
readjusted themselves with Donna
Cuthbertson grasping control of
the game and inspiring her side
to 2pt lead within two minutes.
In the seventh minute Lions were
placed under further pressure as
Ford again drove to the basket
and Ashley Farrelly followed up
an earlier And 1 play with a 3
pointer. Mark Williams hit a
shot in the eighth minute to
extend the visitors lead to 6,
12-18. Peddie though provided a
late surge as he stole the ball
twice to reduce the scoreline to
17-18. Vikings the happier side
after such a big display.
Lions coach; Sid Nicholls was
not overly impressed with his
sides performance and a good pep
talk worked its magic as the
home side produced a stunning
12-0 run. Vikings failed to mark
the sheet for the first four
minutes and the run was only
broken when Ford went to the
line to convert 1 of 2 free
throws after being fouled on the
shot. Chris Tappenden provided
some security at the back for
Lions with some good rebounds
and 4pts. Matthew Brown was also
breathing life into the Lions
with some good plays at both
ends but Michael Peddie was yet
again a crucial piece as his
defensive awareness led to a
number of steals and fast
breaks. At the end of the half,
Lions were enjoying a 41-27
scoreline.
In the third quarter Lions again
started well with David Whitney
opening the scores followed by a
Peddie 3 pointer and a sweet
drive from Sayer. Vikings were
looking for answers and in the
third minute Williams popped up
with a nice shot just outside
the key. Peddie though was quick
to respond as he drove, was
fouled on the shot and made the
basket, leading to a bonus free
throw for the 3 point play. The
pressure on Richmond was looking
too much while Lions were
gradually extending their lead,
a lead which would have been
more but for some poor free
throw shooting in final two
minutes. Brown, Norman and
Peddie combining to miss 4 of 6
attempts. Marshall Patterson
closed affairs for Lions with a
baseline shot but good work from
Karen Lazenby brought Richmond
6pts and a strong finish to a
tough quarter. Lions had scored
48pts to Vikings 24 and the
visitors would need something
special to bring the game back.
An aggressive quarter from Lions
showed they had no plans of
allowing the visitors back onto
the game, although too many
sloppy fouls allowed the Vikings
to the line. The problem for
Vikings though was they only
converted 2 of 8 attempts.
Marshall Patterson raised his
game for Lions in the final
quarter as he collected 10pts
with some strong play close to
the basket. Matthew Brown was
also in good form as he too
added 10pts for the Lions
biggest period score of 27.
Vikings Farrelly showed good
composure to make the last two
shots of the game, taking the
final score to 92-58 in favour
of the Lions.
Michael Peddie produced an
awesome display of firepower as
he top scored with 26pts to earn
the MVP award.
