Myerscough fall to first defeat

In the battle for top spot in Basketball England’s National League Division 4 North, the unbeaten Myerscough hosted Newcastle University Knights who also came into the fixture with a perfect record. The experience and class of Newcastle proved a step too far for Myerscough who crumbled to their first defeat of the year 47 – 82.

The young Myerscough team started brightly in what was a low scoring first quarter. Despite not connecting offensively Myerscough battled on the defensive end, restricting the free scoring Knights to just 15 points.

Myerscough continued to limit the traveling teams offense in the second period but failed to execute when needed, as time wound down on the half Newcastle held a 7 point advantage at 27 – 20.

Newcastle turned the screw after the break and began to make their experience count, punishing every mistake that the home side made. A failure to adjust put Myerscough in a 24 point hole with 3 minutes left to play in the third, a deficit the home side would not recover from.  

Newcastle pulled away down the stretch to claim top spot in the league leaving Myerscough with their first loss of the season.

Coach Neal Hopkins commented after the game ‘Newcastle are a class act, they are without doubt the best team we have played this year – we played well during the first half, we just lacked the execution we usually have’ Hopkins continued ‘unfortunately we failed to adjust after the break and started poorly which, at this level you simply can’t do – Newcastle punished our inconsistency, they were ruthless but we will learn from this – and I hope it will drive us to be better’.

Next up is a trip to Kendal where Myerscough will hope to get back to winning ways.

Elsewhere Myerscough under 18’s maintained their unbeaten start to the season, taking down local rivals Preston Pride 110 – 27. The U18’s now face Leeds Force in the 3^rd round of the National Cup hoping to earn a quarter final spot.

 

 

Myerscough cruise to victory over Sefton

 

 

Myerscough improve to 7 wins with 0 losses in Division 4 after commanding 99 - 46 victory over Sefton Stars last Sunday 

 

Sefton started off with a no fear mentality and took the fight to Myerscough seeing the score 11- 10 to Myerscough after the first 5 minutes. The insertion of the second platoon seem to get Myerscough going after a three by captain David Walsh and a great defensive effort lead by point guard Mason Maynard. Sefton Stars trailed 15- 22 at the end of the 1^stperiod.

With the intensity now raised, Myerscough started to apply pressure to the home team. The guards where denying the passes to the wings and the interior unit played physically and dominant forcing Sefton into bad shots and even a few 24 shot clock violations. The defensive effort only allowed 7 points this quarter, that with points in transition Myerscough went into the half time break leading 45-22.

Down but not out, Sefton stars showed great resilience after the break through their captain Dan Walsh. Kiko Stravrev responded with an offensive onslaught hitting 4 of Myerscough’s 6 baskets in the first 5 minutes. As the scoring rate picked up from both teams the 3^rd period ended 33-7.

With a secure lead Myerscough played loose, Tadgh rifled in four 3’s followed by a quick 3 in transition by Will Shaw. Nils Ozolins got in on the action by drawing a foul on the score making It a 3 point play. Sefton’s Iffy Emeka-Anyakwo battled hard in the paint all game and managed to grab 7 of the teams 13 points scored in the final period. Myerscough held onto a comfortable lead to finish up 46 - 99 at the end of regulation.

Myerscough now face undefeated Newcastle Knights on Sunday in what could be a huge game in defining final league position.

 

 

Open Evening (8th December)

 

Myerscough College will be hosting an Open Evening to showcase our highly successful basketball programme on Monday,  8^th December from 7- 9pm.

 

If you want to see the campus and get a feel for what the college has to offer why not come along? The event will serve as a great introduction to the college and is a real opportunity to find more about the range of basketball courses available here at Myerscough.

Designed to provide students with the unique opportunity to live and train as professional athletes, the Myerscough Basketball Academy will help you develop a comprehensive understanding of the game, whilst studying towards academic qualifications that are designed to provide the ideal pathway to university level degree courses or the professional world of Basketball.

Course tutors will be present and they can offer you expert guidance on what you can expect from studying at Myerscough College. In addition, you can also chat with staff from our admissions, finance, learning support and student services teams.

No appointments are necessary, you can just turn up on the evening.

We look forward to seeing you!

For more information on our Basketball Academy, check out our 'open day page'

 

 

 

Myerscough extend winning streak..

 

 

Myerscough recorded their sixth consecutive victory to top Basketball England's Division 4 North table following a commanding victory over Sunderland City Predators.

19 points from Chris Bwana as well as an impressive performance from Will Shaw helped Myerscough to a 109 - 50 victory against an experienced and hard working Sunderland side.

 

Myerscough dominated from the start and in patches demonstrated outstanding execution and team play, nailing on 10 attempts from beyond the 3 point arc.

Chris Bwana said after the game 'we played great team ball, we also did a great job staying active on the defensive end. I think we performed really well as a team, we had a lot of transitional baskets and communicated effectively'. Chris added 'Our goal this season is to go unbeaten and gain promotion to division 3, of course we want to be the best we can be as a team and go as far as we can, this result will definitely help us'.

Myerscough currently sit top of division 4 with a 6 win 0 loss record, next up is a trip to Sefton on the 23rd of November.

Elsewhere Myerscough U18's routed Bury Blue Devils in the North West U18's conference 110 - 59 to maintain their unbeaten start to the season!

Myerscough College vs. Milton Keynes

 

 

 

 

A routine double double from Emmanuel Kabengele along with 18 points from Montel Dennis was enough to earn Myerscough a vital victory against Milton Keynes.

In a free scoring and high paced game Myerscough and Milton Keynes, both undefeated in this year’s North Conference battled through every possession. Outstanding shooting from the charity stripe (18/20) and aggressive defence down the stretch were enough to guide the home side past a Max Denham led Milton Keynes 85 – 73.

Myerscough led from the beginning but Milton Keynes put in a battling performance to keep the score close throughout even pulling back a 13 point deficit to trail by just two at the break. The second half saw the home team outscore the visitors 40 – 30 to take the 12 point victory in what was a highly entertaining EABL encounter.   

Myerscough captain David Walsh said after the game ‘The game was fast paced with quick scores on both ends, Milton Keynes were well organised with a great mind set – I think offensively we played some great basketball and we did enough to secure the W’.

Emmanuel Kabengele finished with 13 points and 11 boards, Montel Dennis chipped in with 18 points whilst Chris Bwana dished out 6 assists for Myerscough. Max Denham finished with 19 for the visitors with Michael New finishing up with 18 personal for Milton Keynes.

Myerscough now face off against the undefeated Charnwood College, Milton Keynes host Tyne Met College.

 

 

Myerscough battle past Preston College

Myerscough recorded a fifth straight win in Basketball England's Division 4 North as they battled past local rivals Preston College on Sunday.

Trailing 16 - 8 at the end of the first, Myerscough showed great character to turn the tie around running out 69 - 56 winners.

Check out the highlights here; Myerscough vs Preston College

Myerscough take North West title

Myerscough College’s Basketball Academy have once again showed their quality after winning a prestigious regional tournament in style.

After a highly successful first year, the Academy have already had a fine start to the season, with the Under-19s side bagging their first silverware of the campaign by triumphing in the AoC (Association of Colleges) annual Inter Regional Basketball Tournament this week.


The event, held in Manchester, saw Myerscough come through seven games, winning every one en route to defeating Priestly College in the final. The success means that Myerscough will now go forward to represent the North West in the national finals, at an event to be played next year.


Head Coach & Course Leader, Neal Hopkins, said: ‘’This was a great team effort. I’m delighted with the win and this should help to put Myerscough even more on the map. The guys can’t wait to play in the nationals, it’s just reward for their hard work so far this year.’’


‘’We are continuing to grow and are building a strong reputation as the number one choice for aspiring players who not only want to be given superb playing opportunities, but also achieve high quality academic qualifications too. This is another forward step in that process.’’


Myerscough Basketball has gone from strength to strength, a little over a year after the course’s first intake of students in September 2013. Following a highly successful first year, both in terms of academic and playing success, the Academy has had a strong start to the season on the court. Representative sides play in the EABL (Elite Academy Basketball League), the AoC North West League, as well as playing in Basketball England's national league week in, week out.

by Dave Salmon