Stinger - Hull Wasps vs Mansfield Giants by Caitlin McEvoy

HULL WASPS VS MANSFIELD GIANTS ANDREW MARVELL COLLEGE

CONTENTS

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 state-of-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

08 GAME REPORT 12 BUILDING ON SUCCESS 16 PLAYER SPOTLIGHT 18 GAME PREVIEW

HULL WASPS VS MANSFIELD GIANTS 3

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GAME REPORT

TWO ON THE

BOU NCE

TRAINING SESSIONS PAY OFF ENDING THE WASPS LOSING STREAK

6 HULL WASPS VS MANSFIELD GIANTS

he Hull Wasps took on Sefton Stars on last Saturday night in what is becoming a theme this season with the visiting Sefton team in a higher position in the league. The Wasps came into the fixture fresh off a huge upset win against Derby Trailblazers so confidence was high. With the homecourt advantage for the second week running, it was sure to be an excellent night of basketball. The first quarter was all Wasps in the early stages as the tempo and pace suited the black and yellow squads’ game play. The return of French star Florent Gammino gave the Wasps back-court a great boost as the guards

JARRET AKPOVETA WAS GETTING TO THE BASKET AT WILL at 20 each. Coach Coulson continued to run his bench and the fresh legs paid off as the Wasps then went on a run. Jarret Akpoveta was getting to the basket at will and Sean Knight continued to make the Sefton defence suffer due to how well he ran the fast break. The Wasps went into the break with a 9-point lead 33-24. Coach Coulson didn’t make any changes during the half time break as he came out with the five players that had finished the second quarter. The third was still going the

FLORENT GAMMINO GAVE THE WASPS BACKCOURT A GREAT BOOST pushed the ball on every miss, giving the Wasps a 14-4 lead. Sefton then made a quick run which closed the gap. The first quarter ended 15 – 10 in favor of the Wasps. Moving into the second quarter the visitors managed to find a little bit of rhythm and the game got all squared up

8 HULL WASPS VS MANSFIELD GIANTS

Wasps way even though the guard play of Sefton was becoming slick and troubling to the Wasps. Chris Goalby and Florent Gammino made the guards work for everything they got which allowed the

Wasps to win the quarter again by 4 giving the Wasps a comfortable 13-point lead heading into the final quarter. With a mountain to climb the Stars came out and really attacked the basket. Their big men started impacting the game and would get to the free throw line at every opportunity possible, making them count. Matt MacArt kept the home side calm and made his free throws to ensure the Wasps held the lead. Sefton won the

final quarter but it wasn’t enough as the Wasps took the win for the second week in a row, and their fourth of the season. The final score 66 – 57. Sean Knight and Matt MacArt top scored for the Wasps with 16, each supported by MVP Jarret Akpoveta with 14. “We knew that from the first quarter we could come away with the win. We had a great session on Thursday and knew how we were going to execute.

THIS SQUAD CAN DO GOOD THINGS MOVING FOWARD The lads responded to all the changes I made and it was pleasing to see how well they worked as a team. The good thing is I know we can do better. We had three guys who didn’t get into the game but I know can contribute if we get into trouble. This squad can do good things moving forward.” Coach Coulson speaking after the game. The Wasps are at home

again this evening facing the Mansfield Giants, who got the better of them earlier in the season on their home turf. A win tonight would bring the Wasps winning streak to a total of three, and their fifth overall win of the season. At such a crucial stage of the season, all games matter to the Wasps who continue to fight to stay out of relegation.

THE GOOD THING IS I KNOW WE CAN DO BETTER COACH COULSON

HULL WASPS VS MANSFIELD GIANTS 9

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BUILDING ON

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CESS THE HULL WASPS LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE

ith eight years of history behind us, the Hull Wasps are built on the strong foundation of the past. With Chairman David Bushnell stepping down, and newly appointed Chairman Mark Mitchell now at the helm, the Wasps are stepping towards the future. The so called “Off-Court” team is comprised of individuals who voluntarily give up their time to work together and take the Wasps experience to the next level.

12 HULL WASPS VS MANSFIELD GIANTS

In the last few weeks there have been a number of notable changes to the collective – designers Caitlin McEvoy and Daniel Mitchell have been drafted in to shape up all things design and are working towards a new look for the Wasps. Both designers aren’t new to the world of design with Caitlin being the owner of District23, an apparel and print store – which uses themes of American culture to create bespoke designs. Her latest piece is developed especially for Wasps fans: the new Sting City tee. The past year has been nothing but success for District23

THE ATMOSPHERE AND EXPERIENCE OF THE DAY HAS STARTED TO DEVELOP end projects for clients with experience and skills in several areas of the creative industry; ranging from graphic design, film making to urban master planning. With the design handled marketing and PR managers Amy Finnegan-Dehn, and Rebecca Carter are currently working hard on the way match days at, the relatively new venue, Andrew Marvell College are set out. Marketing manager Amy commented on the changes that:

DEVELOPED ESPECIALLY FOR WASPS FANS: THE NEW STING CITY TEE having been featured in FHM magazine on multiple occassions, and blogs around the world being named both t-shirt of the day and t-shirt of the week in Europe. Now partnering up with the Wasps, Caitlin and District23 are set to have another eventful year forthcoming. Beyond the Hull Wasps Daniel Mitchell is a professional architect and interior designer. Daniel works across the country delivering high

“This season we are driving to take the match day experience at Marvell to the next level. We are all so invested in getting this right and really working to build an experience that everyone enjoys. We have started to grow and develop the brand – and through doing so we are starting to change the way that match days run. The atmosphere and the experience of the day has started to develop and the fans are really

getting behind the boys every game. We want to make it so that Wasp games are a statement in the weekend of the fans – that they look forward to the games – and enjoy the experience that they are getting.” Moving to a new venue can be a challenge for any club, with a change in location making it harder for some fans to attend – but this season has demonstrated the commitment of a number of the Wasps fans. With a run of three home games and the final instalment at the ‘Wasps Nest’ this weekend, the Wasps are looking for their third win at home. Andrew Marvell has seen some great basketball in the past few weeks and this weekend is set to be the same. With the recent successful of the tuck shop, Wasps t-shirts and hot drinks, game days are changing at Marvell. It’s all about the experience and Rebecca comments that “We want to make this club great, not just for the players, but for the fans too. Without them we wouldn’t have a club, so we want them to love every second of every game.”

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PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

PHIL

AINSWORTH

REBECCA CARTER SITS DOWN WITH WASPS CENTRE AT TRAINING THIS WEEK

e managed to catch up with Phil Ainsworth ahead of this weeks home game against Mansfield Giants. Playing Centre, Phil is new to the team this season and has been a welcome change in pace at training. Here is his thoughts on how the season is shaping up, the players on the team and his favourite things about game days.

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WE ASKED HOW HE WAS ENJOYING HIS STEP UP TO THE TEAM?

““Its been hard work, there’s a lot of fitness involved and technical work that’s pushed me but that being said

it’s been really rewarding to be part of the team.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE SEASON HAS GONE SO FAR?

“When we’ve stuck to what we’re good at we’ve been successful. We need to start doing that

on a weekly basis now. We are starting to work better together as a team and that’s what it’s all about.”

DO YOU THINK ANYTHING NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED UPON?

“We need to make sure we are working more as a team. Ensuring we are consistent is key. We

are getting there but still have a fair bit to work on.”

HOW DO YOU SEE THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON GOING?

A A

“If we play the way we have been I expect a good turn around and a great end to the season.”

WHAT’S THE BEST PART ABOUT GAME DAY?

“Winning obviously is a good, but I think the crowd and having a good support system is what really makes game day.”

WHO’S YOUR MVP SO FAR AND WHY?

“Jaz would have to be my MVP. He is a great captain, who isn’t afraid to correct me but also is extremely supportive and never afraid to teach me.”

WHO’S YOUR MOST IMPROVED ON THE TEAM?

“I’d have to say Matt MacArt, I didn’t get to see him play much last season so its been great to see what he brings to the team and learn from him.”

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

““It has to be scoring my first national league basket.”

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GAME PREVIEW

WASPS TO FACE

GIANT

TEST ANOTHER UPSET VICTORY IS ON THE CARDS

he Wasps will face off against Mansfield Giants tonight as they try and win three games in a row. The Wasps who are coming off another upset victory against the Sefton Stars will be high spirits as they face off against the Giants. Mansfield are still firmly in a race for the playoffs and a win against the Hull side will go a long way to helping them secure a spot.

18 HULL WASPS VS MANSFIELD GIANTS

However the Wasps will be just as hungry as they are still in a fight to avoid relegation. “Last time we played Mansfield we played pretty well. We had great opportunities to put the game away but could never finish the game off. And because of that complacency we allowed Mansfield the chance to show their skill and they took the win. We know

WE HAVE BEEN PLAYING AT A GOOD STANDARD LATELY they will be boosted by the addition of their point guard who has been putting up spectacular performances against the rest of the league.” Coach Coulson said. “We have been playing at a good standard lately

and we are starting to click. We know if we do the things we are capable of then we stand a good chance of making it three in a row.” Captain Jarret Akpoveta commented after practice.

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