Middlesbrough Lions basketball match report

Sublime Norton Fires Lions To Victory

at Chesterfield School Liverpool, 06/12/09

photos by Wayne Beadle,

Merseyside Spartans 62-88 Middlesbrough Lions

Middlesbrough Lions picked up a precious 2pts after beating Merseyside Spartans by 26pts in Liverpool last Sunday. The result coincided with the return of captain Acho Anyigbo from an ankle injury and a sublime performance from Lee Norton.

The league’s bottom side would be no walk over though and initially it was Lions who were put under pressure as Kyle Simister and the impressive Matthew Allerston led the way for Liverpool. The Spartans were a big team with a clear height and power advantage over a Lions team without their twin towers of Dean Hanson and Andrew Marshall. Lions began the game with young Jordan Nicholls earning his first start and the guard proving more than capable, but the excitement would soon turn sour as Merseyside sprung into an early lead.

For Lions, no player scored more than one basket in the first quarter and while Middlesbrough were napping Allerston and Simister combined for 9 & 8pts respectively to earn a 24-11 lead.

Early in the second quarter Lee Norton found the target with two successive 3 pointers, followed by a third after a Rob Parsons rebound and put back to bring the Lions within 6pts, though the threat of Simister was still active. It is not often that Lions are out rebounded but in this game the visitors were struggling with boxing out proving especially difficult. In the sixth minute Essa lined up a 3 pointer for the Spartans to extend the lead to 10pts, 34-24. A quick response followed as Warriner, Anyigbo and Peddie found the target but a costly foul on Warriner would send Allerston to the line for three free throws after being fouled on a 3 point shot attempt. Allerston converted 2 of 3 and then followed the miss with a rebound and another 2pts. At the end of the half, Middlesbrough were trailing the Spartans 31-41.

Although Lions had won the second quarter 17-20 their defence lacked intensity and even the simple things such as boxing out and rebounding were lacking conviction. If Middlesbrough were to turn this game around they would have to start showing it.

In the third quarter two consecutive 3’s from Ryon Dixon proved the turning point as Lions finally broke that 6pt cushion ad despite Allerston and Essa making a lay up and a 3 pointer respectively there was an air of confidence in Lions approach and in the last four minutes they outscored the hosts 18-3 to take a 7pt lead. Rob Parsons Acho Anyigbo played well at both ends but a shooting lesson from Lee Norton including three long range 3’s, one with a defender on top of him was the highlight of the game. With one quarter remaining, Lions now led 50-57 and managed a 26pt haul in this period whilst also restricting the opponents to just 9pts.

The pendulum had now swung firmly in the direction of Middlesbrough and Norton would continue his hot streak with another 3 and a lay up for his 14th straight point. Parsons, who was enjoying a good game hit the next two shots to extend the lead to 16 and the Lions were still not done as Anyigbo and Warriner made it 51-70. Allerston and Simister were still a threat although they were sporadic now and the Liverpool side were producing a lot of errors. In the fourth minute, Norton produced an ‘And 1’ play and converted the free throw then made a jump shot from the top of the key. With Lions now 22pts in front, Anyigbo was given a rest and for his senior debut, 15 year old Shane Beadle filled the boots admirably as the 6’8” youngster denied Simister the ball and in the eighth minute went to the line to make his first senior point after being fouled on a lay up. Another 15 year old debut from Marshall Patterson would ensue and Patterson would impress with 6pts and 2 steals. In what was almost the final nail in the coffin, the athletic Anyigbo received the ball and leapt to the basket for a dramatic dunk. After a sleepy first quarter, Lions had proven their worth with a convincing finish and 26pt victory.

The MVP was undoubtedly Lee Norton who top scored with 32pts in what was a second half to remember for the talented guard. Norton also amassed 7 rebounds, 4 steals & 4 assists. Anyigbo and Warriner were also impressive, each with 13pts. Anyigbo adding 14 rebounds, 5 steals & 4 assists.

Matthew Allerston was the man for Merseyside with 26pts while Simister grabbed 12 rebounds.

Middlesbrough are now looking for their third win at home to Reddish Rebels this Sunday at Eston Sports Academy, 4pm tip off. Tickets are available at Eston and with a half price voucher from www.middlesbroughlions.co.uk will cost just £4 adults and £2.50 children. Spectators are asked to arrive before 3.30pm.

Reddish will be another stern test with the Rebels owning a 1-8 win/loss record placing them second bottom of the league. League positions though, as bottom side Merseyside can mean very little and Lions will be confident in their current form but cautious in the mind that there are no easy games in this league.

Lions U16 stars will also be in action prior to Lions senior game when they take on current leaders and unbeaten Durham Wildcats. Tip off at Eston is 1.30pm and support is encouraged for the biggest game of the season.

Top scorers
Lions: Norton 32, Anyigbo 13, Warriner 13, Parsons 10, Dixon 6, Patterson 6
Spartans: Allerston 26, Simister 15, Essa 10