Myerscough end 2014 on a high

Myerscough wrapped up 2014 in style as they put in classy performance against Leeds Tigers on Saturday, running out 103 – 63 winners. The W takes Myerscough to the top of Basketball England’s Division Four North going into the Christmas period with an impressive 10 win, 1 loss record.

Myerscough started brightly through a Tadhg Hickey triple, both teams traded points for the bulk of the first quarter until a Montel Dennis sparked run saw the visitors pull away to lead by 9 at the end of the period, 11 – 20.

With an active rotation Myerscough began to establish rhythm during the second. Focussed defence was the catalyst to crisp and precise transitional offence which saw the visitors extend their lead to 27 – 43 at the break.

Myerscough dominated proceedings in the second half against a Tigers team who are much improved from the sides reverse fixture, which finished 76 – 46 to Myerscough. The guests were clinical on the offensive end, demonstrating real maturity and understanding in systematically breaking down the Tigers defence. 17 year old Will Shaw banged four triples in quick succession after great ball movement to open up a 40 point gap.

Leeds couldn’t find a way back into the fixture and Myerscough walked out with the 103 – 63 victory.

‘The guys played with maturity beyond their years today’, Coach Neal Hopkins commented after the game, ‘it was great to see them play with total selflessness and trust, offensively that was one of our best performances to date, all of the guys made really valuable contributions – we have a long way to go but I think this group can achieve special things this year’.

Myerscough will rest up over the Christmas period before taking on Liverpool on the 11^th of January.

Myerscough show resilience in hard fought victory

An emphatic fourth quarter display was enough to secure a valuable victory over Tameside in Basketball England’s Division 4 North on Saturday.  Myerscough, missing key players due to injury turned around an 8 point deficit going into the final period to battle to a 16 point triumph, 78 – 62.

It was the away side that got off to the better start, converting in transition and bursting out to an 11 point lead mid-way through the first. Myerscough scrapped back to drag the difference to 6 going into the second quarter.

With nerves settled Myerscough dominated proceedings during the second period outscoring Tameside 22 – 7 to hand the home side a 40 – 31 lead at the break.  17 year old Adam Morris making his debut nailed the pick of the points, converting from deep after excellent ball movement from the hosts.

A rejuvenated Tameside came out fighting during the third and with a change in tactics panicked the home team. Sloppy play from Myerscough and a lack of composure allowed the visitors to take an 8 point advantage into the final period.

Down 6 with 8 minutes to go Myerscough switched gears. A Cian Hickey three sparked a revival, one that proved too much for Tameside who came into the fixture having only lost one game this season. The young Myerscough side showed resilience beyond their years as they battled through every possession holding the experienced Tameside to only 5 points to run out with a resounding victory.

Youngster Adam Morris was delighted with the teams display commenting ‘The team played with great energy at times and I think we showed we can be a force to be reckoned with, I was really excited to make the step up to the first team, it was great to have the chance to prove myself’.

The win momentarily puts Myerscough at the top of Division 4 North with an 8 and 1 record, next up is a trip to Leeds to take on the Tigers (20^th December) Myerscough will hope for a third victory on the bounce.

You can read the match report from last week’s victory over Kendal Warriors here; REPORT

Elsewhere Myerscough U18’s continued their winning ways taking down Cheshire Wire 74 – 64, to claim top spot in the Northwest conference going into the Christmas break.