Elite 8 up next for Myerscough

 

 

Having completed the regular season with a 10 win to 2 loss record and finishing as the second seed in the North, a sweet sixteen match up against Noel Baker School (Derby) faced Myerscough on Wednesday afternoon. Noel Baker finished their regular season 3rd in the All Midland Conference with a 9 win to 5 loss record.

Andre Gayle opened the scoring for the home side, knocking down from 3 after a well worked offense. Noel Baker struggled to convert during the early exchanges finally netting after 5 minutes from the charity stripe, Myerscough however failed to capitalise on Noel Baker’s slow start leading 5 – 3 at the mid-way point. A 7 point burst by Trevor Samuel forced the travelling side into a timeout and with nerves settled Noel Baker knocked down back to back triples to trail by 3 after 9 minutes, time wound down on the quarter and with the buzzer sounding Myerscough held a 4 point lead 18 – 14.

Both teams took back to the court, a Noel Baker three was quickly answered from deep by Gayle. Points were traded either way in the early goings but with Myerscough holding a 2 point lead Noel Baker sparked into life stringing together a 12 – 2 run which ended with back to back three’s. After 9 minutes and with the score at 35 – 27 in Noel Baker’s favour, a time-out was used by the home side who were uncharacteristically lethargic. Myerscough regained their nerve and a Will Shaw three further settled the home side. Noel Baker had sent a statement in the 2^nd taking the quarter by 11 points to lead 39 – 32 heading into the break.

The third quarter marked a turning point for Myerscough and as they settled they began to find a way to attack the effective and well-structured Noel Baker zone, an 8 – 4 run put Myerscough within 2 points after 3 minutes of the quarter. Back to back scores from the away side saw a 7 point lead re-open. Trevor Samuel then sparked a 12 point run for Myerscough as the playoff newcomers locked down on the defensive end limiting Noel Baker to forced shots. Myerscough wrapped up the quarter on the high side taking a slim 56 – 52 point lead into the final period.

Into the 4^th and Noel Baker struck first to trail by 2, Montel Dennis replied for Myerscough knocking down from mid-range. A change in defence from the travelling side inspired a 5 point burst which saw Noel Baker take a 1 point lead with 5 minutes gone in the quarter. A time out was used by the home team and with instructions given Emmanuel Kebangele got himself to the line, knocking down both to give Myerscough a 1 point lead. Chris Bwana who had driven the Myerscough offense then hit from downtown to open up a small cushion for Myerscough. With 8 minutes gone and Myerscough leading 65 – 62 a foul on a three point attempt saw Noel Baker calmly knock down all to level the game at 65. Myerscough however were not to be beaten and ended the game with a 7 point run to secure their place in the EABL’s elite 8.

Trevor Samuel was dominant in the second half finishing the game with 20 points and 7 boards, Emmanuel Kabengele continued his outstanding form finishing with a 16 point 13 rebound double double, Andre Gayle finished with 14 points 7 boards whilst dishing out 5 assists.

‘Every game is new territory for us’ said  head Coach Neal Hopkins ‘Derby played a great game today, Coach Shaw has them well organised, they are tough to break down. I think my guys did an outstanding job in adapting and seeing out the win – I have to give special praise for Trevor Samuel who really stepped up in the second half also Emmanuel Kabengele who is in great form, it feels good to be the first team to qualify for the elite 8’

Myerscough will now take a trip out to Luxembourg for an international tournament before facing the winner of SGS College and Oaklands College in the EABL’s Elite 8.

 

 

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 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.