Myerscough College Vs Stockport College match report

On Wednesday we welcomed Stockport College to Myerscough for the opening game of the AOC North West league. The home team got off to a slow start with Stockport’s half court zone making it difficult to settle. With both teams trading baskets the quarter finished 12-11 to the home team.

The second quarter got off to a quick start with Matthew Hodgkinson and Harry Parr scoring the first 4 points in transition; however through some careless fouls the Myerscough team allowed Stockport 8 trips to the foul line which allowed the away side back into the quarter and only 1 point behind at the half.

The start of the third quarter was a very different story. A big 3 from Adam Morris in the first minute set the tone. Myerscough came out aggressively playing up tempo full court defence with Kameron Shorrocks forcing 3 turnovers in quick succession. With the zone defence no longer causing problems and the change in defensive intensity Myerscough ran out to a 15 point lead by the quarter.

The 4^thquarter provided much the same with crisp passing against the zone opening up great 3 point opportunities for Kameron Shorrocks, Yannick Kablan and Marcus Shields of which were excuted with devastating effect. With time running out Stockport fought hard to try and get back into the game but too little too late as Myerscough took their opening game of the season 70-40.

Coach Daniel Gayle was very pleased with the boys opening performance saying ‘the effort and intensity was outstanding and very impressive for so early in the campaign. There is still much work to be done but we are looking forward to a fantastic season’.

Quarter score breakdowns: (12-11) (10-10) (26-12) (22-7)

Final Score: Myerscough Win 70-40.

 

Wednesday afternoon also saw our AOC North West 2nd team beat Oldham College 59 - 32, led by impressive performances from John Challinor and Kane Benjamin.

 

 

Myerscough show promise in defeat

Sunday saw Myerscough head to Manchester to take on division one’s Manchester Magic in Basketball England’s National cup. Manchester a senior team three divisions above the young Myerscough side were resounding favourites coming into the fixture.

Myerscough started out the first quarter nervously as the hosts punched out an 18 – 4 start, led by former BBL player Nathan Schall. As Magic rotated Myerscough began to settle and find rhythm, new boy Joao Paiva carving his way to the ring helped sparked a revival for the travelling side who had trailed by 17 with 4 minutes left in the quarter. Back to back triples for Myerscough carved the deficit to 9, and as time expired on the quarter Cian Hickey followed up an Owen Stanley free throw to bring the game to 6 points (30 – 24).

 

Behind the scene, half time team talk.

Both teams traded during the first 4 minutes of the 2^nd, Earl Russell finished a tough move to decrease the home team’s advantage to just 4 points (38 – 34). Magic then strung together a 17 – 1 run to lead 55 – 35 with 30 seconds left as Myerscough went through an offensive slump. A final mini push from Myerscough cut the lead to 17 as the first half wound down (56 – 39).

Myerscough came out after the break with aggression and battled hard against the experienced Manchester side. With both teams fielding their starting 5 Myerscough looked to take Magic away from their rhythm, doing so bringing the home sides lead down to 13 after 3 minutes.  Both teams traded buckets in what was a very stop start quarter due to multiple foul calls and with time winding down Magic’s zone defence stifled Myerscough allowing Magic to extend their lead to 22 at the end of the 3^rd (73 – 51).

The 4^th mirrored the 3^rd with both teams struggling to find rhythm. Myerscough found plenty of scoring opportunities but struggled with execution, this was especially the case from downtown as the away side only converted on 3 of 20 attempts. Myerscough continued to play without fear but ultimately were beaten by the class and experience of the home side – the final score 85 – 63 to Manchester Magic.

Coach Neal Hopkins was full of praise for his young side after the game ‘I though the guys did a great job, we purely wanted a strong performance and to give these young men a chance to express themselves, with 11 of the 12 players seeing 10 plus minutes of playing time we have certainly achieved this’. Hopkins added, ‘I truly hope Magic go far in the competition and have a great season, they treated us with great hospitality and demonstrated their class throughout the fixture’.

Scoring breakdown; (30 -24) (26 – 15) (17 – 12) (12 – 12)

Stats can be found Here

Manchester Evening News match report Here

Myerscough will now have their first week of full practice before they take on Preston’s College in the National Trophy on Sunday (28^that SANAC, Preston. 2:30 tip off).

 

 

Myerscough begin with a Win

Summer 2014 has been a busy one off the court for Myerscough College Basketball Academy. After our successful performance camp back in August it has been all hands on deck in preparation for the new season, a season that started today (14^th September) against local and ambitious neighbours Lancashire Spinners - who have had their own busy summer building on their fantastic reputation.

It is safe to say that there has been a lot of excitement at the prospect of Myerscough playing National League and it is recognised as a big step forward for a programme just a year old.

 

 

New boys Tadhg + Cian Hickey, Joao Paiva and Nils Ozolins were unavailable (Awaiting International Clearance), whilst 6 Myerscough players were away with the Northwest at the under 17 development tournament; this meant a call up for debutants Earl Russell, Jordie Thomas, David Walsh, Ryan Forde and Kiko Stavrev who would join returners Montel Dennis, Emmanuel Kabengele, Owen Stanley and veteran Nick McCarthy in the Myerscough squad.  

Lancashire Spinners 2, also new to Basketball England’s Division 4 netted first as both team started nervously. Kiko Stavrev replied, opening the scoring for Myerscough. An Owen Stanley triple settled the nerves for the young Myerscough side and as the quarter wound down a well worked offence gave Ryan Forde the chance to score at the ring, he did so giving Myerscough a 7 point cushion after the first. 18 – 11.

Myerscough turned the screw defensively during the second forcing 6 consecutive stops leading to a 16 point run which ultimately blew the game open, Earl Russell with the pick of the points finishing with a big dunk after great defensive pressure. Myerscough ran the break effectively and made the Spinners pay for lapses in concentration; David Walsh put the exclamation mark on a great quarter hitting from deep for Myerscough after precise ball movement. The score at the half, 41 – 19 in Myerscough’s favour.

A slow third saw Myerscough ease off the gas; this gave the Spinners a ray of light which they snapped up. Back to back triples sparked a 16 – 4 run for the visitors as Myerscough struggled for rhythm on both ends. In what was a quarter that is sure to be analysed by the Myerscough Coaches the Spinners outscored the home side 22-12, giving Myerscough a 12 point lead going into the 4^th.

Emmanuel Kabengele stretched the lead back out to 16 within 1 minute of the start of the final quarter and from that point Myerscough only looked back to rectify the mistakes of the third. Jordie Thomas spearheaded the home sides defensive efforts as Myerscough looked to shut out the Spinners – this strategy worked holding the away team to only 2 points throughout the 4^th as Myerscough eased to a 67 – 43 victory.

Coach Neal Hopkins was satisfied with his teams efforts ‘It’s a good start, we have a lot to work on but we also have a lot to work with so I am excited about our future in senior National league. These young men will go from strength to strength plus I am looking forward to having a full squad to select from’.

Montel Dennis had a game high 20 points with Emmanuel Kabengele finishing with 12, Owen Stanley and Earl Russell finished with 7 points apiece for Myerscough.

Myerscough will now embark in a week long team building trip before taking on Manchester Magic in the Men’s National Cup first round (September 21^st at ABC).

 

Learning the only way for Myerscough basketball students

Our basketball academy students have been busy learning from one of the best as the renowned Coach Tony Garbelotto joined us for a 6 week training period, Coach Garbelotto gave this overview of his work with the academy; 




‘I have just spent 6 weeks with Coach Neal Hopkins and his elite performance academy at Myerscough College.  During my time, I have been able to take the players through individual skill sessions and onto more complex team practise's.  At the same time, I was able to chat with the coaching staff and to talk through various coaching points and to look at the challenges they will face in the future.  The standard of the players was extremely high and there is no doubt that they worked hard and pushed themselves in every session.  It was a pleasure working with a committed coaching staff and a group of young players who really want to succeed in both education and sport’.

During Coach Garbelotto’s time with the academy, students were exposed to class-room session to discuss positional specific development as well as on court practice sessions breaking down individual actions and positional play. 

Head Coach Neal Hopkins commented on Coach Garbelotto’s contribution by saying ‘It has been great to have Coach Garbelotto here with us for an extended period of time, Tony is someone who I have great respect for and to give our students the opportunity to work with him is something that will not be undervalued and will stand out as a hugely important part of their individual development, it has been a great six weeks for everyone here at the academy’.



Coach Garbelotto added ‘There is no doubt that in my mind Myerscough Basketball Academy has the potential to be at the forefront of elite basketball development over the coming years.  High level coaching, outstanding support staff including S & C and medical back up allow young people to concentrate on being outstanding student/athletes.  With the unique situation of been based on campus full time, I cannot see why any top young basketball player would not choose Myerscough as their next stop on the performance pathway’.


We would like to thank Coach Garbelotto for his time with us and look forward to him coming back in to work with the next group of athletes. 

AASE England selection for Myerscough duo

Two of Myerscough’s AASE basketball students have been selected to join up with the AASE England Squad ahead of their trip out to Denmark in September.

Chris Bwana and Montel Dennis will be a part of the 16 day European trip which is being hosted by the Stenhus Basketball Klub in Holbaek, Denmark.

 

 

Chris Bwana and Montel Dennis

 

The trip will encompass a number of training session and fixtures verses Danish and Swedish teams as well as cultural experiences.

On his selection Montel Dennis commented ‘this means a lot to me, I wouldn’t have thought I would have had this opportunity at the beginning of the year, I’m very excited’  Chris Bwana added ‘being selected for the AASE trip has given me the opportunity to represent my country, I can’t wait to gain the experience of playing abroad and learn about a different culture’.

Head Coach of Myerscough Neal Hopkins said this, ‘Chris and Montel and worked hard for this opportunity and it is with thanks to AASE, especially Charlie Ford and the funding from Erasmus+ that they are able to go – I am sure they will do a fantastic job representing all of us at home’

Chris and Montel who are integral parts to the EABL squad look to have a busy summer ahead of them as they prepare for the trip.

To read about our AASE programme please see the link below.

Info on our AASE programme

 

 

Myerscough Performance Basketball Camp

 

We are 7 weeks away from this years Myerscough Performance Basketball Camp and already our plans far exceed what was delivered during last year. Our camp is very focussed on individual development and gaining greater understanding about how basketball should be played; to help with this we are building a comprehensive package for this years campers, which we are very excited about.

As well as welcoming back staff and coaches from last year we will be adding to the coaching talent by bringing in specialist staff for specific areas of basketball.

These areas will include;

- Strength and Conditioning.
- Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation.
- Specific skill development coaches.

Our staff will be working with campers to develop pre-season training programmes as well as performing functional movement testing and basic fitness screening, this will in turn help to build programmes for our athletes that they can take away at the end of camp.

To add to this campers will be able to take away the data that has been collected during their time with us.


We will also be implementing class-room sessions where campers will get the chance to break footage and reflect on their own performance whilst working with the coaches to set goals.

This format will see specific class-room sessions to develop positional awareness and understanding. Here campers will get the chance to use the 'chalk-board' to evaluate movements as well as offensive and defensive actions. Our limited number of places on camp will allow for more time with each individual which is crucial for their development.

Campers will have access to UCLAN's multi million pound two court arena for all main sessions as well as Myerscough's practice gym for morning workouts, added to this will be use of the many facilities on both sites where activities such as spin classes, yoga, pilates and foam rolling will take place.

And of course campers will have access to some great down-time entertainment including common areas in their dorms and college facilities. We will also be bringing in guest speakers throughout the week!





Sample Daily timetable;

7:00 - 7:45 - Breakfast club workouts.
7:45 - 8:30 - Breakfast
9:00 - 9:30 - Morning class-room session.
10 :00 - 12:30 - Practice 1
12:30 - 1:30 - Lunch
1:30 - 3:00 - Practice 2
3:15 - 4:45 - Practice 3
5:30 - 7:00 - Dinner and down time.
7:00 - 8:00 - Class-room session
9:00 - 10:00 - Optional individual practices
10:00 - 10:30 - Downtime

With only 10 spaces left on this years camp be sure to book your space quickly.

Camp runs from the 27th July to the 1st of August to download an application form please click the link below.

CLICK THIS LINK FOR BOOKING FORM

We look forward to seeing you!

For more info contact: nhopkins@myerscough.ac.uk

 

Andre Gayle becomes a Trojan.

We are delighted to announce that Andre Gayle has signed his National letter of intent to join North Iowa Area Community College for the beginning of the 2014/15 academic year.

Andre who was nominated as the player of the year in the North Sea Conference and earned a spot on the EABL second team following an impressive season averaging 19.5ppg, 6.9rpg and 3.5apg will link up with NIACC in August who finished their 2013/14 campaign with a 20 win 11 loss record across all competitions.

The Trojans, under Coach Mark Mohl are renown for their up tempo style of play and have a history of working with international students including London born Matthew Don, making them an ideal fit for Andre who is excited about the move; ‘Getting this offer from NIACC is a brilliant opportunity and I hope to fulfil it to the best of my potential. I'd like to thank everyone who has helped me to this point, I'm excited about what's next'.

 

 

Andre signing his letter of intent

 

Myerscough’s Head Coach Neal Hopkins commented ‘I’m very happy for Andre, this is a fantastic opportunity for him and I am glad that our programme at Myerscough College has put him in a position to make his dream a reality – that is exactly what we are all about. Coach Mohl and his team have been great from day 1 with Andre’s recruitment and I believe that they are getting a great player who will help them achieve their goals. I wish Andre the best of luck - he has a lot of hard work ahead of him'.

Andre joins Bradley Fisher as the second Myerscough student to make the move to the States in what has been a great first year for the programme.

You can check out the Trojans here; 

 http://www.niacctrojans.com/sport/0/1.php