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750 Fans Witness Superb
Performance!
at Gemtec Arena,
Hull 13/02/10
photos by Paul
Gaythorpe,
PK4images
Hull Wasps
69-63
Middlesbrough Lions
 Middlesbrough are proving to be
the big draw despite their poor
league position as a record 750
fans turned up to see the Lions
visit the Gemtec Arena in Hull.
Hull director, David Bushnell
added “We usually have 150-200
in attendance but today we had
750.”
Lions are proving an attraction
around the country despite
picking up only their fourth win
on Sunday. Middlesbrough chief,
James Thomson said “We are
pleased with our progress off
the court and are establishing
ourselves as a professionally
run high profile sports club.
Our results though have not been
good, despite playing well more
often than not and we must
remember we are still finding
our feet in first season of
National League.”
Hull were hoping for an exciting
game to entertain the large
crowd and Lions gave them
exactly that as James Thomson
replied to Wasps opening basket
with a lay up then a 3 pointer.
Lions Damian Warriner then burst
into life as he drew 5 fouls to
put the Wasps into foul trouble.
Warriner struggled from the line
however making 6 of 14 for the
night. Jamie Goodwin believed he
had given the home side the edge
in the last two minutes with two
lay ups to give his team a 16-12
lead. Lions though responded
well with two free throws from
Lee Norton and a last second
shot from Acho Anyigbo to tie
the game.
In the second quarter, Rob
Parsons kept Lions momentum
moving forward with two baseline
jumpers though Jason Munro
converted two free throws and
then Kamil Piarski drew level
with a long range shot. The
introduction of Michael Peddie
was an inspired one as the
diminutive guard plundered 6pts
in less than two minutes to
instigate a 14-3 run for the
Lions taking the score to 27-36
in favour of Middlesbrough. A
lapse in concentration afforded
Wasps with two late baskets but
at half time Middlesbrough were
still in front by 5pts, 31-36.
The third quarter was the
problem for Lions as they lost
the period 22-16. Warriner hit a
3 early on and despite a good
run from Wasps in the fourth
minute as Adrian Blatherwick hit
a 3 pointer followed by another
from Matthew Fawcett, Lions had
lost their lead but only by 1pt,
43-42. Anyigbo and Warriner
snatched that back almost
immediately with some good
driving. Hull were struggling to
contain Lions inside play as
they picked up a lot of fouls.
Both teams continued to string
together little runs of baskets
and by the end of the third
quarter Hull had given their
fans hope with a slender 1pt
lead, 53-52.
Blatherwick nailed a 3 pointer
in the first minute, but Lions
fired back a tough shot from
Anyigbo. Birchmore hit only his
first basket, which was
surprising for the normally
potent player and Munro followed
in with a lay up but Anyigbo
took the game by the scruff of
the neck as he produced 8pts to
bring Lions within 2pts with
just one minute remaining. Lee
Norton who had been quiet then
hit a jump shot from the top of
the key to tie the game, 62-62
only for Wasps Captain, Jamie
Goodwin to knock down a similar
shot. With 30 seconds remaining
Lions still had a chance with
Warriner going to the line twice
after being fouled on the drive.
The crowd though were
electrifying and Warriner only
managed 1 of 4 attempts while
Anyigbo missed both his. For the
Wasps Blatherwick hit a fast
break and Pilarski killed the
game with a big 3 pointer to
seal a memorable win for their
great fans.
In the run for MVP were a number
of players with Damian Warriner
in explosive form, but let down
by poor free throw shooting for
Lions. For Wasps Jamie Goodwin
and Jason Kelsey were impressive
although Kelsey finished with 7
turnovers. In the end a great
personal performance from the
games top scorer in Lions' Acho
Anyigbo earned the MVP with 63%
shooting, 12 rebounds, 5 steals
& 3 blocks.
Middlesbrough are now preparing
for their final league home game
against Liverpool. The game
takes place Sunday at Eston
Sports Academy, 4pm. The game is
part of the “Design a Lions Tee”
competition which encourages
everyone to design a plain white
Tee with Lions and their
sponsors; Ravenwood Roofing and
Tees Valley Leisure. Everyone
who wears their Tee to the game
gains entry for just £2 and
there are a number of prizes
available for the best designs
including Free Gym passes, UPVC
& Gutter clean, Lions season
tickets and for budding fans, 2
x portable basketball goals,
ideal for the garden or
driveway.
Spectators are asked to arrive
before 3.30pm and for more
information visit
www.game-time.co.uk or call
01642 814221
Top scorers
Lions:
Anyigbo 19,
Warriner 17, Norton 8, Peddie 8,
Thomson 5, Parsons 4 Dixon 2
Wasps:
Goodwin 15, Pilarski 15,
Blatherwick 12, Fawcett 9,
Anderson 6, Munro 4, Rayner 4,
Birchmore 2
|
Game Stats
|
Lions |
Wasps |
|
Coach:
James Thomson
Asst Coach:
Captain:
Acho Anyigbo |
Coach:
Chris McKenna
Asst Coach:
Captain:
Jamie Goodwin |
|
Referees
Joan Pons Laplana & Liam
Gibbons
|
|
Rebounds |
|
29 |
24 |
|
12
5
3
3
2
|
Anyigbo
Warriner
Dixon
Norton
Thomson
|
9
6
4
2
|
Kelsey
Rayner
Birchmore
Fawcett
|
|
Assists |
|
9 |
2 |
|
2
2
2
2
1
|
Anyigbo
Peddie
Thomson
Warriner
Dixon
|
1
1
|
Kelsey
Rayner |
|
Blocks |
|
3
|
Anyigbo
|
1
1
|
Kelsey
Rayner
|
|
Steals |
|
17 |
16 |
|
5
4
3
3
1
1 |
Anyigbo
Warriner
Dixon
Thomson
Norton
Peddie
|
3
3
2
1
1 |
Goodwin
Kelsey
Birchmore
Blatherwick
Rayner
|
|
Turn Overs |
|
19 |
18 |
|
5
4
3
3
|
Norton
Dixon
Anyigbo
Warriner
|
7
4
2
|
Kelsey
Rayner
Pilarski
|
|
Game Stats continued
|
Floor Shooting |
|
22 of 43 |
26 of 59 |
|
Peddie
Thomson
Parsons
Ware
Leighton
Dixon
Norton
Warriner
Anyigbo
|
M
4
1
2
0
0
1
3
4
7
|
A
5
1
5
0
0
3
6
12
11
|
Kelsey
Cummings
Blatherwick
Wordsworth
Pilarski
Anderson
Goodwin
Fawcett
Munro
Birchmore
Rayner |
M
1
0
2
0
6
3
7
3
1
1
2
|
A
2
0
5
0
10
7
16
5
4
3
7
|
|
3 Point Shooting |
|
2 of 15 |
5 of 15 |
|
Peddie
Thomson
Parsons
Ware
Leighton
Dixon
Norton
Warriner
Anyigbo
|
M
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
|
A
0
5
0
0
0
3
6
1
0
|
Kelsey
Cummings
Blatherwick
Wordsworth
Pilarski
Anderson
Goodwin
Fawcett
Munro
Birchmore
Rayner |
M
0
0
3
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
|
A
2
0
4
0
4
1
1
2
1
0
0
|
|
Free Throw Shooting |
|
13 of 27 |
3 of 10 |
|
Peddie
Thomson
Parsons
Ware
Leighton
Dixon
Norton
Warriner
Anyigbo
|
M
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
6
5
|
A
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
14
11
|
Kelsey
Cummings
Blatherwick
Wordsworth
Pilarski
Anderson
Goodwin
Fawcett
Munro
Birchmore
Rayner |
M
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
|
A
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
2
0
6 |
|
|
Game MVP:
Acho Anyigbo, Middlesbrough Lions
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Tees Valley Leisure
Eston Sports Academy |
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Chiquito
Teesside Park |
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Game Time
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