Myerscough lose out in AOC National Cup

Having already secured a final four spot in the AOC Elite National cup it was now time for our second team to fight for their chance..

High tension and emotion from the start, All Saints drew first blood with two quick baskets in the opening minute. Myerscough came up empty on the first few attempts before Ryan Knowles broke the seal, followed by a steal and fast break by Kameron Shorrocks. Defence from the home team was  highly strung causing overzealous fouls and sending the visitors to the lines four times. A three from Matty Hodgkinson and a pair of three throws by John Challioner saw the first quarter close 18 -18.


Fouls seemed to be the common theme for the Myerscough as they got into the penalty quickly. The home team worked franticly to wear down the opposition on the defensive side of the floor trapping and switching but became too frantic and sent the visitors to the line a further 6 times! Ryan Knowles scored two tough baskets within the first two minutes of the second quarter, Myerscough not scoring again until three minutes left in the half coming in way of a three by Marcus Shields.  Despite offensive struggles and foul troubles allowing the travelling team to sit at the free throw line, the home side go into halftime only down by two points 33-35.

With foul trouble, sporadic shooting, and an overall tight first half, Myerscough needed to gain some composer and relax. Through better floor spacing and patience Myerscough did just that. Second year seniors Yannick Kablan and Kieran Skeffington carried the offensive load up until five minutes in the quarter. The home side finally found a way to not to not send the away team to the foul line although a controversial technical foul on Kameron Shorrocks didn’t help the cause. John Challioner re-ignited the offence with an electrifying play. Myerscough managed to close the quarter 52-47

 

Ten minutes of composer and Myerscough go through to their first final four opportunity. Showing physical signs of fatigue, Myerscough looked to take advantage of the shorthanded All Saints team. Not having his most effective game Adam Morris, opened up the scoring for the fourth quarter. All Saints with broken plays looked lost and disjointed offensively however, managed to draw consecutive fouls with their ball movement and probing guard play. Myerscough went on an 8-2 run which included vital scores from Harry Parr. Up nine with just over three minutes left and the home side believed that they had done enough to shut out All Saints however the side where anything but done. Finding a short corner field goal and being gifted a furthermore two more free throws. Myerscough soon realised it was only a five point game and two minutes remaining. All Saints had swung the momentum with an 8-1 run. Still up by two a Myerscough timeout was used to refocus, settle the nerves and come up with a definitive plan of action, a desperation drive off a broken play saw a Myerscough turn over and allow All Saints to score a devastating three!  

By design Myerscough had two great looks from the outside to steal the game from the road team but both shots came up just short of the mark. All Saints win 65-67  

 

Great determination by the visiting team to grind out the win, especially being undermanned and on the road. Great intensity by the home team, just a bit more focus to execute on both sides of the ball.

Quarter scores:  1st 18-18 2nd 15-17  3rd 19 – 12 4th 13-20 

Myerscough ease past County Upper in the EABL

 

Montel Dennis once again topped scored for Myerscough hitting 16 points in 17 minutes in the two sides first competitive fixture.

After a long trip County Upper started slowly as they struggled to deal with Myerscough’s defensive pressure. A 19 – 4 first quarter in favour of the home side was built upon in the second period as Myerscough held a 43 – 14 advantage at the break.

County Upper battled hard in the second half and played with great heart and spirit despite being up against it. Noah Petrovic stood out for the visitors on his way to 13 points but it was Myerscough who stretched out their lead to 41 points at the end of the 3^rd eventually taking the game 84 – 35.

Chris Bwana finished with 13 points for Myerscough whilst Earl Russell collected 10 points and 7 boards Martynas Vagdonas chipped in with 8 points for County Upper.

“I have to hand it to County Upper who battled and showed great character today, their record doesn’t reflect the way they are set up, they are a hard working team who play the right way” Commented Myerscough Head Coach Neal Hopkins after the game “We stuck to the task at hand and although I don’t think we were ruthless enough on the offensive end I am pleased with the way the guys handled their business”.

Next up for County Upper is a trip to Charnwood, whilst Myerscough host Noel Baker School on Monday evening.

Myerscough earn victory in the North East

A vital 87 - 61 victory helped move Myerscough's winning streak up to 8 as they took down Sunderland City Predators in the North East on Saturday evening. Missing key players on the night  there was a call up for U18 Kameron Shorrocks who featured in his first D4 game for Myerscough.

The visitors started brightly connecting on their first 4 attempts as they established a fast early tempo. Sunderland responded making their size count punishing the young Myerscough side to lead 23 - 20 after the first quarter.

Myerscough adjusted in the second period limiting Sunderlands offence. Capitalising on Sunderland uncertainty Myerscough jumped out to lead 40 - 34 at the half.

Myerscough came to life in the 3rd and found rhythm through Will Shaw who knocked down 4 consecutive triples to blow the game wide open. Kameron Shorrocks put an exclamation mark on the quarter hitting from long distance to see Myerscough lead by 22 going into the fourth.

Myerscough sat on their lead and dispite a mini revival from the home side were able to run out with the 87 - 61 victory to strengthen their playoff ambitions.

Will shaw who lead the team in scoring with 21 commented, "We knew it was going to be tough coming into the game, with the long road trip and the team missing key players. I thought we adjusted well, making big plays at big times to get a key victory and carry on our winning streak."

Next up for Myerscough is a home game against Sefton stars on the 22nd February.

Myerscough power past local rivals

 

Myerscough extended their winning streak to 7 games as they brushed aside local rivals Preston College on Sunday afternoon. With Preston College predicting a ‘boxing match’ in the pre-game build up, it was Myerscough who stepped up to teach the opposition a lesson in basketball in the 83 – 67 drubbing.

Myerscough started brightly darting out to a 15 – 8 lead after 4 minutes of play. Preston College responded before a 15 – 2 run blew the game wide open in favour of the home side. Myerscough’s relentlessness was rewarded as they punished every mistake the visitors made to hold a 32 – 18 lead after the first.

The second quarter took the same shape as Myerscough pushed the lead out to 20 points, taking total control of the tie. The visitors struggled to adjust and as the time wound down on the half found themselves with a huge mountain to climb, trailing 50 – 30.

A mini resurgence at the beginning of the third from Preston College was quickly halted by Myerscough who showed great maturity in defending their lead which moved out to 21 going into the final period, 65 – 44.

Myerscough moved out to lead by 23 after 1 minute in the fourth and with the win looking certain eased off. A flurry of buckets from the visitors moved the deficit to 16 and as the final whistle went Myerscough ran out with the 83 – 67 victory, recording their 14^th win of the league campaign.  

Myerscough’s Tadhg Hickey was pleased with the way his team played “The team performed well today as we showed our ability to maintain a high level of intensity throughout the game, each player made big contributions and I believe that if we build on our focus we will continue to achieve this season” Tadhg continued “The season is going well, we have placed ourselves in a position to succeed both on and off the court – it’s great to see”.

Next up is a trip to Sunderland for Myerscough who will continue their push for promotion.

 

Myerscough catch fire from deep to move past Gateshead

Myerscough connected on 14 attempts from deep to help their push for the playoffs in a 79 – 61 victory over Gateshead Phoenix on Sunday.

Myerscough started brightly nailing from 3 on their first two attempts against the Phoenix who came into the tie with a 7 win 5 loss record. The home side ran out to an 11 point lead midway through the first, Gateshead battled back to trail 22 – 16 after 10 minutes.

Myerscough moved through the gears during the early goings of the second, youngsters Adam Morris, Jordie Thomas and Kyle Elly all contributed in pushing the lead out to 17 before a 8 – 0 run from Phoenix pegged the deficit to 9 at the half, Myerscough with the 45  - 36 advantage.

The third quarter was a scrappy affair with neither side capitalising on the others sloppy play. Myerscough once again turned up the intensity during the fourth as they ran out with an 18 point victory 79 – 61, collecting their 13^th win of the campaign.

Myerscough’s Emmanuel Kabengele felt his team could have played much better on the day but was satisfied with the result saying “we played well in periods but we could have shared the ball more and created easier options, the team has to stay mentally locked in for 40 minutes, we have great talent but we have to make the adjustments to be where we know we can”.

Alex Roberts finished with 25 points, Kyle Elly with his performance of the season eased in with a number of important plays on his way to 14 points.

Myerscough have a well-earned weekend off before taking on local rivals Preston College on the 8^th of February.

Myerscough cruise past Moulton after rounded offensive effort

Myerscough College moved to 6 & 0 in the EABL after a comfortable win against Moulton College on Wednesday. Myerscough had 6 players in double digits with the standout performance coming from Cian Hickey who finished up with 12 points whilst dishing out 9 dimes in the 101 – 53 victory.

The hosts held a 18 point lead at the half after Moulton put in a spirited second quarter display not allowing Myerscough to build on their 25 – 7 first quarter.

Myerscough turned the screw down the stretch dropping 36 points in the fourth to run out with the 48 point victory.

Myerscough’s Cian Hickey said after the game “I thought the team played well with good intensity, I believe we are really establishing ourselves as a solid defensive unit”. Cian continued “I’m really enjoying the EABL, coming from Ireland it’s been a change of style and pace. I’ve settled in without any hassle and I’m relishing the competitive nature of the league, I believe we can compete with anyone”.

Linas Bajorunas led the way for Moulton with 18 points, Myerscough had 6 players in double digits, with Earl Russell picking up 14 and 8.

Next up is a trip to Charnwood for Myerscough whilst Moulton host Birmingham Met.

 

 

Myerscough keep winning streak alive

Myerscough made it 5 wins on the bounce after an outstanding defensive performance against local neighbours Lancashire Spinners 2 on Saturday. The hosts were made to work for every basket as Myerscough restricted them to a 33 point total in the 76 – 33 victory.

A fired up Myerscough started brightly darting out to a 6 point lead early on. In what was a scrappy first half Myerscough took it to the home team, holding the Spinners to just 4 points in the first quarter. Much of the same followed in the second period and despite not totally clicking on the offensive end Myerscough held a 38 – 15 lead at the half.

The Spinners established some rhythm during the third and played with the confidence that was missing in the first half. Into the final period and Myerscough turned the screw once more keeping the hosts scoreless for the first 9 minutes of the fourth to run out with the important 76 – 33 victory, moving to 12 wins 1 loss for the season.

With academy players Chris Bwana and Kiko Stavrev recently moving to the Manchester Giants youngster Jordie Thomas was included in the squad, Coach Neal Hopkins was impressed with his contribution “Jordie has the potential to go far, he is an outstanding athlete and has the skill set to match, we want as many of the younger guys as possible to be a part of this squad, with Chris and Kiko moving the opportunity is there for those who take it”.

Montel Dennis dropped a game high 15 points, Joao Paiva finished up with 11, whilst Cian Hickey had 9 for Myerscough.

Myerscough are at home to Gateshead Phoenix next Sunday hoping to earn another vital result.

Myerscough remain undefeated in the EABL

Wednesday afternoon saw Myerscough host Northwest rivals Priestley College in the EABL, the first fixture back after the Christmas break. Despite a spirited first half performance from the visitors Myerscough with 7 players in double digit scoring cruised to a 116 – 54 victory.

After a slow start from Myerscough, who were restricted by the well-disciplined Priestley side, the score at the break stood at 38 – 25 to the hosts. Priestley had every right to be pleased with their first half efforts and despite trailing had been the better team. Myerscough established rhythm in the second half and played at a pace the visitors struggled to match, eventually outscoring Priestley 78 – 27 over the final two periods to run out comfortable 116 – 54 winners.

Montel Dennis who finished with a game high 18 points commented after the game ‘I think we found it hard to get into rhythm after the Christmas break, eventually we got there and our second half performance was good, we know we have to make a lot of improvements in order to make the step up to the next level’.

Emmanuel Kabengele came out with 17 points 5 boards, Whilst Joao Paiva and Alex Roberts wrapped up with 16 a piece for Myerscough, Ollie Richardson led the way for the visitors finishing with 13 points and 5 boards.

Myerscough host Moulton on the 21^st January, Priestley make the trip to take on the undefeated Charnwood.  

 

 

England Selection for Alex Roberts

 

Alex Roberts represented England U18s at the recent Haris Tournament – an annual memorial event at the Amaechi Basketball Centre in Manchester, the 17 year old Level 3 Basketball studies student put together some outstanding performances as England finished third in the prestigious tournament.

 

Alex said after the event: “It was a really proud moment, representing my country is a huge accolade and it felt great to make a positive contribution having moved up the England ranks since I was 15, it was also massive to be playing in front of my family”.

 

“It was a  learning ground for the team and I as we were playing against established sides from Europe and America, I felt I did really well in adjusting to suit the style’s we came up against.  I felt very comfortable and relaxed which was a big development for me”.

 

The next step for Alex is to gain selection for the final squad which will travel to Austria in the summer for the U18 Division ‘B’ European Championships, “the plan is to work hard between each camp and really get after it at College – I know I have to keep my fitness at the highest possible level and keep working on my game every day”. 

 

There were also call ups for Matthew Hodgkinson who joined England’s U17 New Horizon’s programme and Academy Head Coach Neal Hopkins who began his role working with England U18’s as performance analyst, Myerscough's Sport Therapist Nick McCarthy continued in his work with the England U17 programme.