STINGER 07/03/15

HULL WASPS VS CITY OF SHEFFIELD SAINTS HULL WASPS VS LEEDS FORCE ACADEMY

ANDREW MARVELL COLLEGE

CONTENTS

H

ull Wasps are the region’s premier basketball club competing in Basketball England ‘s National League competition.

Since 2008, the Hull Wasps have been providing thrilling entertaining basketball to people of all ages across Hull and East Yorkshire.

Now based at the £27 million stateof-the-art Andrew Marvell College, we continue to compete in National League aiming to reach the summit of UK Basketball, the British Basketball League (BBL).

2013-14 National League Division 4 North Runners-Up • 2013-14 Humber Premier League Champions •

05 DOUBLE HEADER 06 GAME REPORT 12 PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

• DESIGN: CAITLIN MCEVOY WWW.CAITLIN-MCEVOY.CO.UK | WWW.DISTRICT-23.CO.UK • CONTACT: INFO@HULLWASPS.COM WWW.HULLWASPS.COM FACEBOOK: /HULLWASPS | TWITTER: @HULLWASPS

HULL WASPS VS SHEFFEILD SABRES 3

0845 619 1810 | info@corefitnesseducation.co.uk www.corefitnesseducation.co.uk

DOUBLE HEADER TOUGH WEEKEND AHEAD FOR THE WASPS

T

he Wasps face off this weekend against two teams as they play their first double header of the season. The Hull side will play two home games against Sheffield Saints on Saturday night before facing off against Leeds on the Sunday. The Wasps know that with a win against either one of the teams, they will be able to breathe easier knowing they are again closer to survival in their debut Division 3 season.

“This weekend we have to be able to focus for two days. We can’t get too high or low after the first game knowing that we have to do it all again less than 24

hours later. The lads have all prepared this week knowing what’s at stake and the hope is we can come away from this weekend with a positive result either way.” Chairman Mark Mitchell commented from the squads practice this week.

“We also know that all eyes are on us locally as we are showing the best of Yorkshire Basketball. The talent that will be in Hull over the weekend both home grown and from the other cities demonstrates why Yorkshire is a hot bed for basketball and also demonstrates why the Wasps are firmly cemented in the thick of that conversation.”

The Wasps have played the last two games without influential captain Jarret Akpoveta and the hope is he may be able to help contribute over the weekend. He faces a late fitness test and fingers are crossed that he can return to help the Wasps come away with something.

The stellar play of regular starters Jordache Akpoveta, Florrent Gammino, Matt MacArt and Sean Knight will be key as well as support from the bench.

You can catch all the action at 6pm Saturday and 1pm Sunday both games taking place at Andrew Marvel. We hope to see you there!

HULL WASPS VS SHEFFEILD SABRES 5

GAME REPORT

WASPS

STING

SHEF FIELD

SABRES FINAL BUZZER BRINGS HULL THE WIN

6 HULL WASPS VS SHEFFIELD SABRES

L

ast Saturday night the Wasps played host to another huge game of basketball.

The Wasps took on the Sheffield Sabres in another crucial game for both teams’ survival chances. The Sabres are a formidable outfit featuring a lot of height and some professional experience amongst their ranks.

The first period started slow as both teams countered each other’s transitions but struggled to score in the half court set. The Wasps did start to make some headway with Sean Knight scoring numerous times. Point Guard Florent Gammino

Matt MacArt kept the Wasps ahead in the second period by finding his range on his jump shot. The Sabres started to show that their size could be an issue as they beat the Wasps up on the offensive glass to get second chance points. However three’s

by MacArt, Fawcett and Knight would ensure that the Wasps maintained their lead heading into the second half.

The second half was an interesting battle.

The Wasps continued to pressure the Sabres and every time the Black and Yellow squad built their lead to 10 the visiting

the defence finding his way to the basket and handing the ball off to Coulson on the cut through. This would be the on court debut for the Division 3 head player coach Coulson and he contributed with rebounds and 4 points.

As the game moved into the fourth quarter the scoring pace slowed down as the Wasps played with a hint of caution whilst the Sabres played with a purpose but rushed their offence slightly. The Wasps managed to hold out and take the win with the score of 74-66.

Sean Knight and Florent

POINT GUARD FLORENT GAMMINO ALSO FOUND HIS WAY TO THE BASKET SLICKING THROUGH THE DEFENCE also found his way to the basket by slicing through the defence taking advantage of the mismatch he had at the point guard position.

The Wasps finished the quarter up 6.

8 HULL WASPS VS SHEFFIELD SABRES

Sabres would have their own run and trim the lead back down to a two possession game. The Wasps however always looked in control. Florent Gammino continued to take advantage of

Gammino shared the honours of game MVP. The Wasps will now look to keep the momentum going as they face a double header of home games this weekend.

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OUR MISSION

• To govern and enhance the sport of basketball in England • To encourage and enable people to participate in basketball regardless of their ability, age, gender, status, disability or ethnic background • To lift the performance and quality of basketball throughout England

Basketball England, English Institute of Sport, Sheffield, S9 5DA Telephone: 0114 284 1060 | Fax: 0114 284 1061

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

MATT

HEW MACART REBECCA CARTER SITS DOWN WITH WASPS SHOOTING GUARD AT TRAINING THIS WEEK

HOW DO YOU THINK THE SEASON HAS GONE SO FAR?

A

“Season has had its struggles but just when we down we pull together and play great ball and get wins and let teams know they are playing the wasps. We have a couple left and we want to leave it all out on the floor for our amazing fans.”

12 HULL WASPS VS SHEFFIELD SABRES

DO YOU THINK ANYTHING NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED UPON?

A

“If we can get some solid commitments for on the court issues, players and coaches, we can improve on basketball consists city, fundamentals and understanding basketball systems. The basics, down to the Prem and DABA squads. Learn what teams are doing at the top and understand it’s not

hard to do just hard, smart work.”

HOW DO YOU SEE THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON GOING?

A

“These last four games are huge. We need to split them. We can do it. I believe in it and my teammates.

If we all stay focused on what’s important we will succeed. We have each other’s backs and we are ready to go!”

WHAT’S THE BEST PART ABOUT GAME DAY?

A

“Game days are about listening to that music whilst warming up being in layup lines with my kit on.

Knowing it’s different. This is why I’m here.”

WHO’S YOUR MVP SO FAR AND WHY?

A

“Big Phil Ainsworth is my most improved.

He has worked hard this year. He gets a lot of criticism during

training because he is on such a steep learning curve.

Some players would not have taken it. But he shows up every week and it is not a surprise he is improving.”

WHO’S YOUR MOST IMPROVED ON THE TEAM?

A

“My most improved so far this season would be Phillip Ainsworth hasn’t seen much court time but always turns up with a smile on his face and last weekend he stepped in and contribute

to the overall team performance. Long may his improvement continue. ”

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR PERSONAL HIGHLIGHT OF THE SEASON SO FAR?

A

“Highlights would be big scoring games and seeing where my game has come since I was in seventh grade. My stroke has been the best ever. Hopefully the best is still yet to come though.”

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