Recap
Youngbloods under 16s continued their winning streak on the weekend despite a sluggish performance against Worthing Thunder to remain top of the South Premier Division. After a three hour journey to Worthing, Youngbloods started off very slow going down 13 – 7 in the early stages as Youngbloods failed to find their rhythm with Worthing finishing the first quarter on top 19-13.
A three from Jelani Watson-Gayle started of the second quarter as they meant to go on as a run of 14 points over the next 4 minutes gave Youngbloods the initiative mid way through the second 32-21 as Nathan Moyo and Joel Osei began to dominate on the inside with Rayon Brown continuing the run with a 2 point shot from deep. Worthing were not letting up without a fight as they restricted Newham to 3 points in the last three minutes of play Youngbloods prevailing 22-10 in the second quarter to go into the half 35-29 up.
After coach Aaron Senior demanded more from the boys at the half, Aaron Martin started scoring proceedings of with a fast break layup, quickly followed by a double from Watson-Gayle capped by a shot from downtown by Martin forced Worthing Thunder to take a timeout, which seemed to spark them back into life, as both sides continued to trade baskets, Youngbloods keeping the lead at the end of the third 57-53. Youngbloods continued to take the initiative heading the the final stanza as a run of 8-0 to start the 4th quickly followed by 4 points from Ify Chuks and Rayon Brown enabling the travelling side to make the journey back home closing out the game 75-62 and remaining perfect in League competition.
Head Coach Aaron Senior said “Although we showed a lack of game practice and finesse, we closed out the game and started to find our form towards the end, the season is always full of peaks and troughs, and we will continue to get better.”