Middlesbrough Lions basketball match report

Devils Win, But Lions Far From Being Blue

at Eston Sports Academy, 25/10/09

photos by Paul Gaythorpe of PK4images & Wayne Beadle

Middlesbrough Lions 71-91 Bury Blue Devils

Middlesbrough Lions put a good foot forward in terms of performance as they returned from their lacklustre display against Durham two weeks ago. The Lions lost again, but there was a “turning of a corner” with the whole team beginning to gel. Against Durham, only Acho Anyigbo could have held his head high and even then he was not exceptional and the team struggled to hit 37pts.

This latest game against another top side in Bury Blue Devils, however saw the young Lions begin to prove themselves in only their second National League encounter. Its another loss and despite Lions good start, a 20pt defeat but with exciting play throughout the game, great performances from a number of players and the team as a whole looking to enjoy their basketball, the first win looks destined to be very soon.

Lions disappointment against Durham was so intense because of the potential of the team being a top 4 side. A tough start, including the cup runs, against strong and experienced opposition has been mentally challenging for the club and keeping morale was a concern for management, so the posture and encouraging signs from the players after this game was a very pleasing indication.

A different starting line up saw regulars; Lee Norton and Ryon Dixon begin on the bench due to missing a training session and the players on court proved their value as James Thomson and Stuart Meek composed the game with good passing and leadership. Within three minutes, Middlesbrough were leading 6-0 as Warriner and Anyigbo combined well. A good spell from Bury took them 1pt ahead as Steve Sawyer hit two shots before Nick Metcalfe rained in a big 3 pointer. Middlesbrough remained cool and kept the ball moving nicely as Anyigbo found the open Dean Hanson, with the 7 footer hitting a nice jump shot. Metcalfe was proving a factor as he hit another 4pts to give the visitors a 14-8 lead, but in the remaining thirty seconds Lions’ Lee Norton converted a strong drive and a mid range jump shot to bring the home side within 2pts, 12-14.

Norton continued his late rally at the beginning of the second quarter as he drove to the basket and was fouled. As the ball sailed into the hoop, the And 1 play was complete with a bonus shot which Norton scored to give Lions a 1pt lead. Norton, Meek and Thomson all combined to add further points in the fourth minute for a 3pt lead after baskets from Bury’s Daniel Seshie Cottrell. When Lions big duo; Hanson and Anyigbo were on court together they provided a sense of security with both pulling down big rebounds and claiming a couple of blocks each.

In the fifth minute Bury began to pull away as, although Lions were still playing well, the Blue Devils turned on some magic with a 13-0 run, inspired by 6pts from captain Steven Graham. Norton replied late in the quarter with 4pts but missed two free throws which would be an identified team fault down the line. At the end of the half Lions still looked promising with a score of 26-38, but Bury deservedly leading.

Warriner had been quiet offensively since his opening baskets in the first minute but was on hand to complete the drive and when Norton hit 1 of 2 free throws and Meek struck gold with a baseline 3 pointer Lions recued the deficit to just 6pts in less than a minute.

In the fourth minute, Sam Bogucki fell victim to a hard screen as the guard ran into a 7’2” 19 stone brick wall that was Lions’ Dean Hanson, resulting in a concerning few minutes with Bogucki remaining motionless on the floor. Thankfully after a spell on the bench, the dazed devil would return.

This margin would stay the same as both teams traded baskets until the sixth minute when Lions entered into a string of errors, the main culprit being James Thomson, leading to the guard calling for himself to be subbed off. Having trained for only half hour all week due to flu, Thomson would play no further part in the game. The remaining three minutes witnessed another strong 15-1 run from Bury with only Leighton responding with a free throw. Lions had now missed 7 free throws and it was about to get worse as the third quarter finished 64-42 in favour of the Blue Devils.

In the final quarter Warriner, who was enjoying a good game in terms of steals, defence and passing was suffering at the line, missing another two attempts and finishing with 0 of 8. Soon after Norton flew down the key and made the basket despite heavy contact that wasn’t called by the refs, who to be fair performed excellently. The baskets were being traded evenly, but the two heavy runs from Bury in previous quarters meant the visitors were still comfortable leaders by 22pts. By now though, Lions energetic crowd were in full voice to spur on the local lads and in the third minute Ryon Dixon found an open Anyigbo who rose to the occasion with an athletic dunk. Lee Norton was enjoying a good quarter, hitting 15pts including a big 3 pointer and two And 1 plays. In the sixth minute Lions Dixon went to the line to convert both attempts, yet this was a rarity at the line as the home team missed 12 attempts in the final quarter and 18 in the game and had these been scored it would have brought the Lions to within 2pts. A telling tale which will be addressed in training over the next two weeks.

A final score of 71-91 was a deserved win for Coach Walsh and his Bury side, yet the game may have provided Lions with more than even a win. “We have a great team of players, yet we haven’t clicked, not until this game. To have played so well against another top side in Bury is very encouraging. We lost the game through free throws which in one way is pleasing as its something identifiable and simple that needs attention, but more importantly didn’t reflect bad game play, just poor concentration” added Lions’ James Thomson.

All Lions played well and very well in parts, there were big displays from Dean Hanson and Damian Warriner while Lee Norton was on top form with a game high 35pts. Its not often a player from a losing side earns MVP but Norton just outshined Devils’ Ben Burns with good offense and defence as well as excellent driving including three And 1 plays.

Top Scorers
Lions: Norton 35, Warriner 11, Anyigbo 8, Meek 8
Blue Devils: Burns 23, Metcalfe 19, Graham 11

Lions have another week off as Huddersfield Heat postponed the Halloween fixture. Lions entertain Wirral Hornets on Sunday 8th November at Eston Sports Academy. Tickets are on sale now at Eston Sports Academy with half priced vouchers available to print at www.middlesbroughlions.co.uk Tip off is at 4pm, spectators are asked to be seated by 3.30pm.