Middlesbrough
Lions played one of their games
of the season when they
travelled the short distance to
University of Teesside to play
local rivals, Tees Valley Sonics
and gave up a 10pt lead in the
third quarter to lose out 74-66.
The game began with a trademark
fast break from Steve Butler,
but Lions responded immediately
with a 3-pointer from Damian
Warriner. Lions then took the
lead through big Dean Hanson
after a well worked spin move.
The lead then switched hands
five times with James Burton
connecting on two 3-pointers to
give Sonics the edge. Lions’
Hanson was proving his value as
the 7 footer made two more
baskets late in the quarter. Two
late baskets from Luke Thompson
and Tyrone Thomas lifted the
Sonics spirits toward the end of
the quarter as the led 19-15.
Lions were not yet in full gear
which gave them hope being only
4pts down. Coach Sid Nicholls
called for composure and to
‘threaten the basket’ when with
the ball. Unfortunately for
Lions it was Sonics who came out
more aggressive and in the first
three minutes produced an 8-2
run with Lee Norton the only
provider for Lions from a smooth
drive, a call for the foul,
dismissed by the referees.
Middlesbrough then closed the
gap to 5pts with Warriner
bursting forward for a lay up
and Norton hitting a big
3-pointer. Lions were now
settling into their rhythm and
Nigerian, Acho Anyigbo provided
the team with a boost when he
produced a nice block and
followed up on offence with an
athletic leap to the basket. On
the next play Anyigbo was fouled
on the shot and went to the line
to convert 1 of 2 attempts. The
lead was now down to 6pts,
31-25.
A great cut from Michael
Thompson found an equally great
pass from Lee Woolams in the
sixth minute as Thompson
finished the move with a lay up.
A brave call by player/coach
James Thomson placed all three
big men on the court with
Anyigbo, Marshall and Hanson
using their big frames to
unsettle the Sonics passing.
With two minutes til half time
Burton made a big 3-pointer to
take Sonics 11pts clear but
Lions never looked out of it as
they clawed back to within 6pts
via Marshall, Norton and
Anyigbo. At the half time
buzzer, Sonics were a nose in
front 38-32 with Lions feeling
their best was still to come.
The best soon came as Lions
opened the third quarter in
blistering fashion as Hanson
continued his superb form by
blocking Sonics player/coach
Butler. Hanson and Norton would
then combine on offence as the
Lions produced a 13-2 run to
take a 2pt lead 45-40.
Middlesbrough’s defence is
becoming recognised as at times
one of the best in the league
and for seven minutes the Sonics
were held to just one basket
from the under used Luke
Thompson.
Just
when things were going well for
Lions, the Sonics blushes were
rescued by a trio of 3-pointers
with Burton and Michael Thompson
saving the day. As Sonics
stuttered back to life, Anyigbo
stepped up for Middlesbrough
after being fouled by Dimitri
Antilatzidis for the And 1 play
which the influential Anyigbo
converted the bonus shot for a
4pt lead. Two free throws from
Antilatzidis cut this to a 2pt
game going into the final
quarter with the 51-53 score
line favouring Lions.
This local derby was turning
into one of the most exciting
games of the season as Lions’
Norton hit a 3 followed by a
Burton 3 for Sonics. Woolams
then found the target with a
powerful play inside the key
matched by a clever play from
Anyigbo at the other end of the
court. Lions were still
comfortable until the third
minute when a two minute mental
block allowed an 8-0 run by
Sonics. Michael Thompson hitting
6pts. Anyigbo halted the run and
Warriner drove to the basket
strong but a barrage a hasty
shots would not connect for
Lions, leaving the Middlesbrough
side needing to foul the Sonics
in the final minute. Thomas and
Butler held their nerve during
this period to convert 7 of 8
attempts from the line and seal
a 74-66 win.
After a return from injury Dean
Hanson showed his true potential
with a superb and determined
display. Fellow big man, Andrew
Marshall was also in top form
with some big rebounds.
Marshall, Anyigbo and Hanson
combined for 14, 11 & 11
rebounds respectively to
dominate the boards. Hanson and
Anyigbo also collected 3 blocks
apiece. A Lions win would have
guaranteed a joint MVP award for
Hanson and Marshall however the
award would go to Sonics James
Burton.
Burton, Thompson and Butler were
all candidates but with 18pts
from 60% 3pt shooting, 3
rebounds & 2 assists Burton
stood out as Mr reliable. Butler
and Thompson were let down
slightly with 12 of 28 and 8 of
23 shooting respectively.
Top scorers
Sonics:
Burton 18, Butler 18, Thompson M
18, Thomas 7, Woolams 5,
Thompson L 4
Lions:
Norton 18, Anyigbo 16, Warriner
15, Hanson 10, Marshall 7
