Myerscough lose out in overtime thriller.

Over time was the difference between the top two teams in the North as we were treated to an exceptional display of basketball by some of the best junior players in the North West.

In what was the final game of the regular season, Myerscough welcomed Loreto College for Wednesday’s EABL North Sea clash.

Myerscough, a programme only 8 months old had lost the previously league fixture between the two teams by 25 in what was their first ever competitive basketball game. Since then Myerscough had gone undefeated in the league and held the no.1 spot in the North with Loreto sitting in 2^ndplace.  

Tensions were high during the build-up and it was clear that both sides were focussed ahead of a crunch game. Montel Dennis opened the scoring for the home side, finishing from close range. Loreto took 3 minutes to find the bottom of the net after strong defence from Myerscough. A 6 point run from Myerscough sparked a time out from the visitors with the score at 8 – 2 after 5 minutes. Loreto settled into the game but continued to struggle from the field. As time wound down on a low scoring and nervy quarter Loreto forced a steal to finish the period at the free throw line, splitting the pair to give the visitors a 1 point lead after the first 11 – 12.

Into the second and with Andre Gayle and Trevor Samuel picking up early fouls, Myercough rotated early but began to find rhythm. Chris Bwana controlled the floor well for the home side and was able to attack the basket finishing well through contact. A 5 point burst from Loreto led by a Raheem Idriss lay-up saw them open up a 6 point lead after 8 minutes of the quarter, Myercough replied with a 6 point run of their own sparked by a Montel Dennis up and under move. Chris Bwana who had been a danger throughout finished out the half knocking down two from the line to leave the score at 30 – 28 to Myerscough.

Loreto started the third well as Joe Swindells knocked down back to back jumpers, Andre Gayle replied with a triple seeing Loreto hold a 1 point lead after 3minutes – both teams battled throughout the period with neither team able to punch out a lead, it was clear that the game was going to go the distance as the quarter wound down. Emmanuel Kabengele finished off the 3^rdwith an offensive rebound and put back to give Myerscough a 1 point lead heading into the 4^th. 47 – 46

A 7  - 3 run gave Myerscough a slim 3 point lead to start the 4^th, this was cancelled out by a Kingsley Nwagboso inspired 6 point run from Loreto. Time wound down and neither team could gain the edge, Nwagboso and Emmanuel Kabengele battled down low as both players looked to inspire their team to a regulation victory.  With one minute left Myescough converted to hold a 1 point lead only for Pharroh Gordon who had been instrumental all game for the visitors to get to the ring, finish and draw the foul for a three point play, with the free throw converted and 45 seconds left Myerscough found themselves down 2. A well-executed play saw Trevor Samuel draw the scores level with 28 seconds remaining. Loreto pushed for a score but failed to get their shot off in time as the shot clock wound down – with 4 seconds left Myerscough saw their final play well defended and with the buzzer sounding overtime was needed. The score at the end of regulation 66 – 66

Predictably OT started nervously and it took two minutes for the first bucket, Loreto netting off a second effort put back. With both teams visibly tired it was obvious the game would be determined by a momentary lapse in concentration and as Kingsley Nwagboso kept plays alive for Loreto on his way to a 20 point 20 rebound game Myerscough failed to make their efforts on defence count, Emmanuel Kabengele gave hope to Myerscough with a strong finish under the ring, Kabengele also finished the game with a 20 and 20 double double. The score 70 – 68 to Loreto after 3 and half minutes.  A Joe Swindells triple extended Loreto out to 73 – 68 lead with 1 minute to play, not to be counted out Andre Gayle replied with a three of his own, as time wound down and with Myerscough chasing Loreto sealed what had been a thrilling battle between two outstanding teams with back to back layups. The game finishing 77 – 71 to Loreto.

Emmanuel Kabengele with 20 points and 20 boards for the home side, Montel Dennis added 18 and 6, Andre Gayle went 4/6 from deep to collect 12 points and Chris Bwana hit 10.

Kingsley Kwagboso had 20 and 20 for Loreto, Joe Swindells with 21 as Pharroh Gordon dropped 17 points.

On the game Coach Neal Hopkins said ‘it was a great advert for the EABL and the talent we have here in the Northwest, hats off to Loreto for getting that win but more than anything I am totally proud of the work everyone here at Myerscough is putting in. The developments we have made from game one are truly fantastic, this time 8 months ago we hadn’t even bounced a ball’

Both teams will now await their first round playoff fixtures.

 

 

Myerscough lose out in MABL cup final

The rise of Myerscough through MABL competitions this year has been rapid; for a programme which is only 7 months old MABL has provided a great platform for our junior players who range in age from 16 to 19 to gain vital senior level experience, the cup competition has been the pinnacle of this.

After a hard fought cup campaign in which Myerscough basketball academy who play under partner club Preston Pride’s banner had knocked out teams from all divisions faced off against club rivals Preston Pride 1, who are currently sitting top in the MABL premier league. With both teams knowing all the finer details on one another the game promised to be an interesting one.

The final held at UCLan’s Sir Tom Finney sports centre provided the perfect environment for the all Preston affair.

Phil Hargreaves opened the scoring for Pride 1 and quickly found range to add another two points, Andre Gayle responded for Myerscough netting from deep – in a quarter that was not pretty to watch both team scrapped for points and traded either way. Pride 1 opened up a 5 point cushion at the midpoint in the quarter before Connor Tuxford converted 2 free throws to bring the score back to within 2. Myerscough looked to have found their touch as the time wound down hitting in quick succession to bring the score to 23 – 24 in favour of Pride 1.

With both teams looking more settled the 2^nd quarter scoring was opened by Montel Dennis of Myerscough. A run from Myerscough saw Pride 1 slip back to 9 point deficit and with Myerscough turning the screw and applying extended pressure Pride 1 almost buckled, up stepped Jonny Graham who halted the Myerscough run with back to back triples at a crucial time. Myerscough continued to probe defensively not allowing the opposition to settle into their offense with the game on a knife edge the half finished 42 – 40 in Myerscough’s favour.

Pride punched out a 7 point run to open the 3^rd, Graham Holland and Alex Hodgson doing the damage, this inspired Pride 1 and with back to back threes from Harry Beenham - Myerscough were forced to use a timeout;  with nerves settled and defense in mind Myerscough got the stops they deserved and attempted to chip away at Pride’s 11 point advantage. Andre Gayle repeatedly got to the line but struggled to convert from the charity stripe, Myerscough missed 7 free throws straight, despite this they managed to pull the lead back only trailing by 3 going into the final period.

A slow start by the young team saw Pride once again put together a 11 point run, this within the first 4 minutes of the quarter put Pride 1 in the driving seat, Chris Bwana who had been a revelation for Myerscough pulled back 4 points to make it an 8 point game with 5 minutes to play. Pride 1 made their experience count and knocked down two quick buckets to extend their lead to 12 with 3 minutes left – this margin proved too much for the battling Myerscough side. With the benched emptied and time expiring Pride 1 took the title 73 – 57, the fourth quarter proving fruitless for Myerscough who only mustered 5 points to Pride’s efficient 17.

In what was a hard fought fixture that saw two top teams test each other and was a great advert for the Manchester Area basketball league Pride 1’s age and experience told and they rightly ran out victors.

Chris Bwana hit 14 for Myerscough with Montel Dennis adding a cool 10

Phil Hargreaves picked up the MVP honours after an impressive performance for Pride 1 netting 16 points Graham Holland poured 23 for Pride.

Coach Neal Hopkins said this after the game “both teams fully deserved to be in this final, on this occasion Pride 1 deserved to win – they are a great team who would do very well in National league, I can’t complain at the result at all. Our young lads have come a long way this season and will learn from this game, which is very important to the ethos of our programme. Hats off to the organisers, especially Bob McGilvary for putting on a great event – it was definitely a show case for the talent in MABL”

Myerscough top Priestley in EABL

Myerscough College put on a defensive clinic in their 90 – 43 victory against play-off rivals Priestley College in the North – Sea conference, with the hosts holding Priestley to an 18 point second half.

The first quarter began with both teams trading baskets as Danny Miller opened the scoring for Priestley. An Andre Gayle dunk saw the momentum in the early goings shift toward the home team; Myerscough built on this to put together a 14 point run. A burst of their own from Priestley, including a three as time expired by Sam Hawkins, saw Myerscough take a  23 – 16 lead after the first quarter.

Myerscough heightened their defensive pressure in the second and Chris Bwana made his impact known, hitting 12 points in quick succession off a series of stops. Priestley struggled with the defensive pressure from the home side and only converted on 4 of their 19 attempts from the field in the quarter, Trevor Samuel made his presence felt on the boards collecting 6 of his game high 9 boards in the second period.  The score at the break was 47 – 25 to Myerscough

Danny Miller once again got the scoring started for the travelling side at the beginning of the third, hitting 2 of his 12 points with a nice move to the ring. Myerscough responded with a 9 point run to push the lead out to 56 – 27 with 7 minutes remaining in the 3rd. Montel Dennis then found his range for Myerscough, hitting back to back doubles to push the lead out to 32. A three by James Harvey after a well worked offense on the buzzer saw Myerscough 70-35 at the end of the 3rd quarter. 

Myerscough hit the first points of the 4th with another 3 from James Harvey.  Myerscough converted 5 shots from deep in a row to extend the lead out to 42. With defensive pressure a constant, Priestley’s offensive struggles continued, Earl Russell providing a high point for the away team with a strong baseline dunk. The game lost momentum down the stretch as Myerscough cruised over the finishing line, limiting the away team to just 8 points during the 4th. The game ended 90 – 43 to Myerscough, further boosting the home side’s playoff push.

Trevor Samuel missed out on a double double by 1 board finishing the game with 19 points and 9 rebounds, Andre Gayle netted 16 and added 8 assists whilst Montel Dennis contributed 17 and 7. Sam Hawkins dropped 8 points for Priestley to add to Danny Miller’s 12. Next week the 2 sides will go against each other again with Priestley expected to come back with vengeance.

Coach Neal Hopkins added this after the game ‘I was really impressed with our guys today, Priestley have knocked off some tough teams this year and it was important for us to put in a solid performance, we are looking strong and hungry but we won’t take anything for granted – we are looking forward to next week’

Player highlight videos

Highlight videos for three of the academy's senior players were posted today. Check them out below! 
Contact Neal Hopkins for more information (nhopkins@myerscough.ac.uk)

Trevor Samuel - 6'4 Shooting Guard/Swingman 

James Harvey - 6'0 Point Guard/Shooting Guard




Andre Gayle - 6'4 Shooting Guard

Myerscough edge out Tyne Met in EABL, BCS team hand Stockport first loss

 Myerscough College emerged victorious from a highly competitive EABL clash with Tyne Met College today, winning 79-72. The hosts compensated for their poor free throw shooting with excellent rebounding and defence, pulling down 35 boards and snatching 12 steals.

The game was close throughout, Myerscough led by just three heading into the fourth quarter. Both teams had trouble shooting the ball in a low-scoring second half and all was to play for in the final minutes.

Myerscough's starting five scored 29 of the team's 31 second half points and late three pointers from Trevor Samuel and Andre Gayle were key in securing victory for the home side. 

Myerscough were led by Trevor Samuel (21 points, 8 rebounds) and Andre Gayle (21 points, 3 steals). Montel Dennis (15 points, 5 rebounds) and Chris Bwana (11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) were also key.

"Today was a fantastic advert for the EABL, both teams played with great maturity and it was a pleasure to coach. I am a big fan of Tyne Met and the way Coach Steutel has them set up, they play a very intelligent game which is difficult to break down, hats off to our guys for executing our game plan and making the adjustments that were needed"  - Neal Hopkins, Myerscough HC

Today's victory saw Myerscough improve to 4-1 in the EABL as they move to 1st place in the North Sea Conference.

Myerscough 2nd team hand Stockport College first loss

Myerscough's 2nd team, which consists entirely of U17s, faced Stockport away in the BCS North West division today. League leaders Stockport College were yet to lose a game this season, that was until Myerscough handed them a 81-77 loss on their home court.

The young side put on an impressive display of determination and intensity and came up with defensive stops at crucial moments. Today's win sees the 2nd team improve to 4-2. In the coming weeks they will face Loreto in the league and Oldham in the National BCS cup quarter final.

Myerscough dismantle Childwall in 51 point win

Myerscough's 51 point victory over Childwall saw their EABL record improve to 3-1. A hectic schedule of fixtures over the coming weeks will see them host league leaders Tyne Met in what will be their first league game with home advantage, whilst a clash with rivals Loreto College is also upcoming. 

The visitors came out firing in the opening quarter, however their early defensive play left plenty to be desired as they conceded 17 points. Chris Bwana and Emmanuel Kabengele combined to score 14 of Myerscough's 26 second quarter points, giving them a 22 point lead heading into halftime. 

Myerscough caught fire in the third quarter, converting on 73.7% of their 19 field goal attempts. Their deadly efficient shooting, coupled with vastly improved defensive play, saw the guests outscore Childwall 31-9 in the quarter. 

Despite a lapse in defensive execution in the final period, Myerscough kept firing and came away with a 111-60 win. Emmanuel Kabengele led the way with a 19 point, 10 rebound double-double whilst Andre Gayle put on an impressive display of versatility with 25 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. 

Other notable performers included; Trevor Samuel (19 points, 5 rebounds ), James Harvey (11 points, 7 assists, 5 steals), Ryan Knowles (14 points, 7 rebounds). 

As a unit Myerscough shot 44.4% from the floor and 75% from the line in the game. They will look to improve on their poor outside shooting (22.2%) and their alarming turnover rate as they face league leaders Tyne Met at home next week.  

The academy's second team ran out to a gigantic 109 point victory away at Holy Cross. Myerscough attacked relentlessly for the entire game and will look to carry forward momentum into next weeks clash with undefeated league leaders Stockport College.  

Manchester talent shines through as Giants bounce back

Chris Bwana

Myerscough College Basketball Academy players Andre Gayle and Chris Bwana were awarded significant minutes by Manchester Giants Coach Jeff Jones in a huge 42 point win over Surrey United.  Andre Gayle played a season high 18 minutes, recording 7 points including one three pointer.  He also pulled down 2 rebounds.  Academy point guard Chris Bwana nailed 2/2 free throws, givi

ng him 2 points to go along with 3 boards. Manchester were led by Stefan Gill and David Aliu, contributing 27 and 26 points respectively, both shooting an outstanding 77% mark from the field. Forward Rob Marsden picked up his third d
ouble-double of the season, notching 15 points and 11 rebounds and hammering down a thunderous dunk.

Andre Gayle

After a painful 52 point loss away to the high flying Newcastle Eagles on Friday, there is no doubt Sunday’s victory will have been a huge morale booster for the Giants squad.  They now sit in 8^th place in the BBL championship league table.

Yorick Williams and Mike Bernard

Although they are struggling to perform consistently, the Giants continue to fulfil their objective of giving local talent a chance to shine, with no less than 8 Manchester born players on their roster this season.  As veterans Mike Bernard and Yorick Williams close out their careers at the club where they began two decades ago a new generation of Manchester talent is beginning to flourish. It is hoped that Gayle and Bwana will be just the first in a long line of academy players to suit up for the Giants.

Just two months after its launch the programme has its first Division 1 commit and sees 6 or 7 players regularly participate in Giants training sessions.  The academy is a cornerstone for the future success of the Giants project, which has the long term ambition of competing in Europe. 

Keep up to date with the progress of the Giants by following them on twitter @ManchesterGiant

All photos credit: Jack Hinds photography (http://www.jackhindsphotography.com/) 

Report by Ed McNally