# Weekend Results 13/14 December 2014

- Link: https://www.newhamyoungbloods.co.uk/2014/12/weekend-results-1314-december-2014/
- Published: 2014-12-15T17:00:26+00:00
- Author: admin

Home and Away games awaited Youngbloods this weekend as they all continue to push
for playoff positions, a local derby started proceeding off whilst a duo of fixtures
away at Greenhouse Pioneers followed by a trip to Southampton the following day 
for two of our teams.

### _Saturday 13th December 2014_

### Under 13 Boys⏎  Youngbloods 87 NASSA 62

The eagerly anticipated rivalry match between two local teams at St. Angela’s school
would see the Nitro’s face a NASSA team who felt they should have won the early 
fixture back in October. That game saw the Nitro’s supremacy wining by 17 points.

Starting for the Nitro’s were Alijandro Dias, Alex Distras, Franklin Agu, Nathan
and Latrell. The team looked focused and was determined claim their rights as top
team in Newham. Game got the way as the Nitro’s went on a 8-0 run finding gaps in
the NASSA defence, Alejandro and Franklin set the pace until Alex took over scoring
from all angles and with a 3 point shot half way⌊Franklin Agu⌉ through the first
Quarter that forced NASSA to called a time. The onslaught was unbearable for the
opponents who were also finding them selves in early foul trouble. NASSA fought 
back to the delight of their supporters, but Latrell stepped up late on with 2 And1
plays to end the quarter 23-21.

The second quarter was much of the same as the Nitro’s continued their high point
production. Franklin showed why he has the potential to be one of the best players
to come out of Youngbloods has he combined with Alejandro scoring 9 points and grabbing
8 rebounds in the quarter. NASSA had no answer for the fundamentally sound Nitro’s
who dominated proceedings, running fast breaks and defending well as a team and 
with 10 seconds left Ja’den scored after a string of passes to end the half 48-33.

Youngbloods Nitros were booming with confidence heading into the third quarter and
were desperate to finish off their rivals. Gustas started things off with a cool
drive to the basket despite his quiet game. Nathan broke the hearts of the visitors
with more baskets giving Nitro’s another 8-0 run. NASSA showed grit and determination
going on a run of their own but Alex showed his class taking it to the opponents
stopping their run and fouling out NASSA’s best player in the process. Quarter score
18-15.

Final quarter and the Nitros went into cruise mode as they pushed to finish the 
game. Daniel Porter didn’t start the game well but came on and controlled things
scoring and assisting Gustas and Alejandro. Coach Stephen rests his starting 5 giving
opportunity for Lucas and Ja’den to get more minutes. The buzzer sounds and another
dazzling display by the Nitros who has their sights now set on the playoffs. A great
team performance with 5 player reaching double figures.

### U14 Boys⏎  Greenhouse Pioneers 68 Youngbloods 57

After a close five points win at home last weekend, the Acers under 14’s set off
to south London to face Pioneers South. Pioneers are the only unbeaten team in the
league winning their games convincingly defeating the national champions by 20 points.
A though challenge for the progressing Acer’s.

After a long warm-up, the starters took to the court. Strait away Pioneers showed
the reason why they are undefeated as they attacked and dominated proceedings early
on tearing through the Acers defence like a steam train. Down by 8 and looking stunned,
Coach Richard called a time out to adjust the defence. The team responded as set
out to slow down their best player. Baskets started raining in from Simon and Laja
making it a 15-13 quarter to Pioneers.

Intense defence proved pivotal for the Acers as they went on a massive run.  Alex
E scored after a string of passes supported by Laja and Richmond. Acers looked stronger
and suddenly took the lead. Awesome defence from Great hustling and making it hard
for the home side, more defensive as Alex-E got a huge rejection enabling the Acers
to end the half with a 1 point lead.

Pioneers started the third quarter all guns blazing and forced multiple turnovers
giving them a 8-0 run early on.  However after a motivational speech by Coach Stephen
and Coach Richard the boys started fight back. Simon led the charge scoring a 3 
pointer and also driving through for an And1 play. Free-throws played a big role
as we scored 8-8 on the line. Though there were some early foul troubles to a few
starters, Great, Alex D and Laja pilled in the points to make it 18-18.

Controversial fourth Quarter would see the home side gain the advantage as they 
physically dominated the Acer’s to coach Stephen’s disappointment. Refereeing decision
would see Pioneers take a commanding lead and never looked back. Too many turnovers
from sloppy passing settled things.  A well fought game and a good display of basketball
from both sides. Final score 68-57 to Pioneers handing Acer’s their 4^(th) loss 
of the season.

### U18 Women⌊EvelynU18W⌉⏎  Greenhouse Pioneers 53 Youngbloods 57

The re-match against these two physical had been anticipated since the first time
Amazons had convincingly beaten Pioneers. Pioneers had said that they had been missing
vital players in the first encounter, hence the win. So Amazons were not surprised
to see the two u18 England players warming up for the opposition. Amazons got ready
to prove that missing players or not! Youngbloods would still come out the victors.

The game started with Pioneers scoring. **Brenda Kipewu** came answered back with
a steal and a lay-up **Rhianna Laing** followed suit straight after. The mood was
set for the battle.  Although, Pioneers stay in contention throughout the game. 
It would have been very hard to find a time that the Amazons were not in control
of the game **Evelyn Adebayo** netted a huge 19 points. With the Youngblood’s Amazons
now on the top of the league with a 7-1 win ratio, the girls get to rest over Christmas,
not forgetting their training and return to competitive games in January against
Surrey Steelers at St Angela’s School on the 10^(th) January 2015

### _Sunday 14th December 2014_

### U16 Boys⏎  Solent Kestrels 78 Youngbloods 83

The Under 16 and Under 18 Boys had to meet at the break of dawn in order to travel
to Sunny Southampton as thy both squared up against Solent Kestrels. After a two
and half hour drive the Under 16 Boys were first to tip off. Solent Kestrels were
the first to score, however Youngbloods **Jelani Watson-Gayle** hit back immediately
with a 3 point shot, followed by a steal and drive to the basket forcing Solent 
to foul, giving the visiting side 7-2 early lead half way through the first.  Solent
hit back strong following a time-out as they tied the game. **Rayon Brown** hit 
a floater inside the key which started another run for the visiting side with **
Aaron Martin** driving to the basket strong, scoring in traffic and taking the contact
for the and-1 play, hitting a big three point shot on the buzzer for Youngbloods
to close the first quarter in the lead, 18-16.

**⌊Alfie MurrayU16s⌉⌊Alfie MurrayU16s⌉Alfie Murray** and Martin started the scoring
for the Newham side early in the second as they began to build this lead, however
defensive lapses began as Youngbloods let Solent back into the game from the free
throw line as Youngbloods committed silly fouls. Brown hit the next five points 
of the game, as Youngbloods started to find their range converting four 3 pointers
in this quarter to win the second quarter 25-21 courtesy of a Watson-Gayle treble
beating the buzzer yet again going in at the half time break with a 6 point lead,
43-37.

Youngbloods came out of the half time break full of energy as they established a
10 point lead after quick scores in transition from Nathan Moyo and Brown. The Kestrels
never let Youngbloods gather more than a 10 point lead any stage during the quarter
and always kept the Newham-Based side within touching distance. A 3 point shot by
Brown and a contested deep two point shot from **Mark Sotto **gave Youngbloods the
lead heading into the final quarter of play.

Newham had yet another fast start to the final quarter of the game with big men 
Murray and Moyo scoring from the inside, capped by a shot from down town by Martin
gave Youngbloods the initiative heading into the final five minutes of the game 
with a 10 point lead, complacency began to crop into Youngbloods game  as they allowed
Solent to score 9 unanswered points  within two minutes of play as they tied the
game 70-70 forcing Youngbloods U16 Coach Aaron Senior to take a time-out. Following
the timeout, Youngbloods scored quickly to gain the lead they had not let go since
the opening minute of the game, as Alfie Murray produced a strong and-1 play, scoring
the basket and the free throw as a result of being fouled to bring the momentum 
back to Newham, as Solent began to foul to save time on the clock. As Under 15 debutant
for the U16 team **Jonathan Odur** ensured the ball safely came into play as Solent
fouled tactically and Brown cooly sank the last two free throws of the game as they
held onto the lead, and their unbeaten start to the first half of the league campaign.
As Youngbloods left Solent with a 83-78 win going 10-0 in the Basketball England
South Premier Division.

**Head Coach Aaron Senior said **_“I speak about perseverance all the time, and 
today was a good example of that, we kept at it despite players missing, we were
able to come here and win and ensure that our first 10 league games of the season
are wins, as we move on to the remaining half of the league season”_

### U18 Men⏎  Solent Kestrels 96 Youngbloods 83