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.