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 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’

Myerscough blow out Bradford in EABL

Myerscough College ran out to an easy victory on Wednesday afternoon as they blew away North Sea conference rivals Bradford College, boosting their league position ahead of some tough fixtures.

Myerscough punched out to a first quarter lead of 24 – 3 and there wasn’t any looking back as Bradford struggled to convert throughout the game.





Bradford opted for zone defence and had success in slowing down Myerscough’s half-court offense in spells but the lack of an offensive threat saw them go into the half with just 7 points to Myerscough’s 50.

A 19 point burst at the beginning of the third by Myerscough was enough to kill the game off and also saw the tempo slow.

The game ended 91 – 15 in favour of the home side, Trevor Samuel continued his fine form by splashing in 25 points and adding 8 boards whilst Montel Dennis added 15 points.

Coach Neal Hopkins had this to say after the game; "It was important to put in a decent performance today; Bradford sat in a zone and made it hard for us at times, I have to credit them for not giving up and playing hard for the full 40 minutes. It is going to be a tough few weeks for us now with some big fixtures and for sure we are looking forward to them'

Myerscough host Priestley next week and will look to build on their 7 - 1 record.

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.