Weekend Results 18/19 October 2014
A busy weekend once again for a number of teams at the club with the U13 and 15 Boys in action as well as the U18 Women. The Under 16 Boys had a league and cup double game weekend ahead of them also.
Saturday 18th October 2014
Under 13 Boys
Youngbloods Nitro 43 – 49 Ipswich
Ipswich were the visitors at St. Bonaventure’s sports hall. This team are coming from two impressive wins making them the stiffest opposition for the Nitro’s so far this season.
Deja vu seems to have hit the home side as they are once again facing a side that has the superior height advantage. After a short delay the tip got on the way with the Nitro’s conceiving two early baskets. A slow start suddenly turned around with excellent defensive display from Franklin backed by Nathan turning into fast-break points from Alex. A close encounter in the early stages as both sides defences were put to the test with the Nitro’s coming on top after a two deep 3 pointer from Alex to close the quarter.
Things continued to stay close in second quarter as both sides trading baskets and neither team really finding a break through. Impressive defence from both sides kept this the lowest scoring half of the season so far with Ipswich edging it (22-24).
Nitro’s needed a string of baskets if they are to overcome this though opponent and it came in the third as the home sides defence forced some turnovers converting to 8 unanswered points lead by Latrell. After a time-out from the visitors things took a turn when Franklin picked up an injured and shortly after Alex received his 4th foul. Ipswich took advantage bringing the scores level going into the fourth.
It was anyone’s game at this stage as Ipswich pilled on the pressure scoring 6 unanswered points. Youngbloods had their opportunity to come back but official calls weren’t going their way as they found them selves losing their first game of the season. Excellent display of basketball from both sides. Highly Entertaining from a neutral standpoint.
Under 15 Boys
Under 16 Boys
Ipswich 77 – 91 Youngbloods
Youngbloods U16s started off their double game weekend with a trip to the East of England to play an undefeated Ipswich Team in the Basketball England U16 Premier South Division. Youngbloods started off the game well following tip off running into a 6-0 lead courtesy of baskets from Aaron Martin and Nathan Moyo, forcing Ipswich to take a timeout. Youngbloods continued strong drives to the basket forcing Ipswich into team foul trouble within the first 4 minutes of the game. However Youngbloods were not able to capitalise on this failing to convert from the free-throw line providing Ipswich to get back into the game and gaining the lead by before the end of the first quarter for the first time with Ipswich in the lead by 3 points.
The Second quarter began with a deep three from Jonathan Ragasa tying the game after the first offence of the quarter. However missed free throws continued to cost Youngbloods dear despite forcing Ipswich into foul trouble early on. The quarter provided many lead changes and two back to back three from Jelani Lewis gave Youngbloods the upper hand mid way through he second quarter, both teams continued to trade baskets. Heading into the last two minutes of the second quarter, Youngbloods lost their cool defensively and allowed Ipswich to go on a 7point run to close out the quarter going into the half time break with a 9-point deficit.
A huge turnaround was needed and urged by captain Jelani Watson-Gayle to increase the defensive intensity and this was delivered in style, Youngbloods went on their own 10-point run to start the 3rd quarter to gain back the lead of the game. Things began to click for the team; great transition baskets, ball movement and control from point guard Rayon Brown steered Youngbloods into the right direction, frustrating Ipswich on both ends of the floor. Ipswich began to panic, and Youngbloods took advantage of their clumsy mistakes heading to the final quarter with a 7 point lead with a huge 26 points scored that quarter for the away side, limiting the home team to just 10 points, 64 – 57.
Youngbloods continued to apply the pressure, starting the first quarter with a 3 point shot from Jonathan Ragasa to give Youngbloods a commanding 10 point lead which was further solidified by another 3 point shot just moments after from Aaron Martin followed. Strong rebounds by Oscar Turner great defensive stops from Mark Sotto and Nathan Moyo ensured that Youngbloods closed out the game, finishing with a 14 point win and 5 players scoring double digits.
“We made tough work of this game, we were complacent and lazy; however credit to the boys that half time turnaround was a joy to behold, we began to play the way we know we can, its still early on in the season, and we still have a long way to go” said Coach Aaron Senior
Under 18 Women
The Under 18 Youngbloods Ladies played Greenhouse Pioneers. The game was a pretty fast game with both teams trading baskets, but each quarter saw the Youngbloods team extend their lead by 3 in the 1st, then 6 in the 2nd, 14 in the 3rd and after the 4th the Youngbloods ladies came away with a 20 points win 79-59.
Sunday 19th October 2014
Under 16 Boys – Basketball England National Cup
Newham Youngbloods 117 – 29 London Feltham Warriors
Following the previous days game against Ipswich the Under 16 Boys were in action again this time in the Basketball England National Cup 1st round against London Feltham Warriors. After a short delay to tip following the away teams late arrival, the game go under way with Youngbloods squandering their opening chances of the game with Feltham scoring the first basket of the game. This fired Youngbloods as Jelani Watson-Gayle and Aaron Martin ramped up the pressure as they went on a 11-0 run to take an early commanding lead and with the introduction of Mark Sotto to the game this lead was further consolidated wreaking havoc of the offensive end, scoring 7 points in the first quarter alone giving Youngbloods a 32-3 lead.
The second and third quarters were more of the same story, with Youngbloods heavily rotating, and were not letting go of the lead. With great play from Rayon Brown providing an Alley-Oop pass to Ify Chuks-Neudi for the dunk. Youngbloods went into the half time 65-7 Lead. On which they never looked back cruising to victory with a 117-29 win advancing to the second round on the 9th November 2014 against Peckham Pride.
