Middlesbrough Lions B team
travelled with a young team to
Norton to play the Sonics and
the youngsters would have a big
part to play in this fixture,
six of the squad aged 14 and
under. Lions established players
would have to settle for a place
on the bench after some players
missed training resulting in
starting spots for Dan Brown,
Alan Slasor and Shane Beadle.
Captain Matthew Brown would have
to use his leadership skills
well in keeping an eye on his
young team mates and the game
would provide a valuable stage
in the youngsters development.
The experience and strength of
the Sonics players ensured a
powerful start for the home team
as Paul Robinson opened the
scores with a nice drive,
followed shortly after by Graham
Bennett finishing a low post
move to take a 4-0 lead. Lions
would not score for the opening
four minutes, but when they did,
it was through a sweet 3 pointer
from Dan Brown. Another tough
stretch would provide another
four minute drought for Lions
while Martin Horley and Darren
Butler combined to add 7pts,
including a nice 3 from Horley.
The introduction of Kok-ho Chan
and Chris Tappenden brought some
experience to Middlesbrough,
both players scoring but a good
round up of the first quarter
for Sonics would end the period
score 17-07.
In the second quarter Matthew
Brown galvanised Lions with two
shots, one inside and one out of
the perimeter to add 5pts and
bring Lions to within 7pts of
their hosts. In the fourth
minute, Matthew Brown fouled
John Young who then went to the
line to convert both free throws
and following in with a drive
down the middle of the key to
maintain a comfortable lead of
11pts, 23-12. Middlesbrough
called a tie out and this
resulted in a positive way as
Michael Peddie, Tappenden and
Whitney combined to reduce the
deficit. Three missed free
throws denied the visitors the
opportunity to close the gap to
1pt although a strong Tappenden
drive brought them to within
2pts, 23-21. Some good movement
and passing by SCM on the next
play found Darren Butler open
near the hoop for a well worked,
easy basket and Liam Earl would
make two free throws to end the
half 27-21 in favour of Sonics.
Lions coach, James Thomson stuck
to his guns regarding the youth
policy and despite a slow start,
the young guns of Middlesbrough
were proving they did not look
out of place in the TBL and to
be within 6pts of Sonics at the
half, regardless of not playing
their strongest side and not yet
hitting top gear was an
uplifting thought to bear in
mind for the second half.
Matthew Brown continued his
valuable input by opening the
third quarter with a 3 pointer.
Peddie then drove into traffic,
making the basket and receiving
a foul, although the speedy
guard would fail to convert the
bonus shot. Tappenden then got
in on the act with a delicate
hook shot from close range to
give Middlesbrough the lead for
the first time in the game,
28-27.
Sonics were rattled for the
first time but rather than
collapse they readjusted and
broke Lions run with a Robinson
3. Peddie replied instantly with
a lay up to tie the scores but
Horley stepped up in the third
minute to fire two 3 pointers
and extend Sonics lead to 8pts.
Miles Sayer scored his only
basket in the fifth minute and
when Tappenden followed in with
a powerful basket Lions were
again biting at the ankles of
the Norton outfit, 38-34. The
final four minutes of the third
though would be a bitter pill
for Middlesbrough to swallow as
another Horley 3 instigated an
8-0 run, which could have been
more had the SCM not missed four
free throws. At the end of the
quarter, Lions had it all to do,
down 8pts, 46-34.
Like a player possessed Matthew
Brown would produce five three
point plays, including an "And
1" in the first five minutes to
bring Lions within 1pt 50-49.
Ben Shaw and Raymond Jackson in
reply for Sonics. With just four
minutes left in the game Hayden
Patterson gave Lions the lead
with a lovely shot from the
elbow of the key and the score
line would remain for another
two minutes with both sides
displaying good defence until
Young slipped through the net
for Sonics to regain the lead.
Young would finish the game
well, adding a further 3pts
while Lions inability to score
would see Sonics claim a big win
over the Middlesbrough side, the
Lions first loss of the season.
Lions actually won the final
quarter 17-11 despite losing
Michael Peddie and the club will
be looking for the right
reaction from players both in
training and future games to
keep their season on course for
a championship title.
The MVP was awarded to Martin
Horley who hit 20pts for Sonics,
including three crucial 3
pointers mid way through the
third quarter. Matthew Brown was
the games top scorer with 25pts
including a 15pt run in the
fourth quarter.
