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
