HSFC v. South Thames College Basketball
I
t was a professional-looking South Thames College who had made the trip to Havering this week for the latest basketball match.
A composed away coach nonchalantly hit the basket from beyond the three as his team warmed up, and the home side were given their orders by their coach, Kenrick Liburd, from behind closed doors. Havering’s new coach for this season had definitely helped the team gel and progress onwards from last year, according to those watching from the sidelines, and his experience in the sport from across the pond was no doubt a factor. Kenrick’s impressions of the team were positive from his first few months in charge, and if the team were to take up a practice regime equivalent to what the Americans would do, “the team could go on to do very well” he says. As the teams practiced and tweaked their sights before the match, the sidelines filled with spectators and the referees entered for what was to be a good game. Initial signs after the tip-off were good for Havering, as they quickly took a lead of 4-10 after three short minutes. Despite some missed rebounds and South Thames reducing the deficit to just two at 8-10. However, HSFC stepped into another gear and great shooting, led by Axe Allan, helped Havering to a 13-21 lead.
As the quarter began to come to a close, the home side must have switched off and some stray passing after conceding helped South Thames straight back into a game which they had been on the back foot for most for. The tied score at 22-22 with five seconds to go saw a timeout called as a reach-in foul was given against the travelling team. After the coach gave his orders, the ball was put back in by Jordan McDonald to Axe Allan who’s lay-up kissed the backboard and fell through the bucket, ending the quarter with a two-point lead for the hosts at 22-24.
attacking play was matched by the defence conceding only eleven points in the quarter, with Havering scoring 20, putting the score at 45-67. The subs seemed key, as the constant changed from the home side kept the team fresh on the court without a dip in quality, proving what you need in any sport is strength in depth to succeed.
As the second quarter began, a three-pointer from South Thames was matched with some good rebounding from Havering’s number 13, Carl Nathan Thompson, who’s tall figure and high jump kept South Thames at bay, as they continued to waste opportunities as they attempted shots from deep. Axe’s free-throwing was also impressive, as he racked up the points that would give Havering a thirteen-point lead at the end of the half, at 34-47. The crowd were also raised to their feet by an ambitious and tantalisingly close effort on the buzzer that was just too long.
This result certainly reflects the claims the coach was making pregame; that the team have the talent to do well, but he will want to iron out some creases such as the dips from his team that others may punish you for. Beyond the result, this game showed the effect both America and the Olympics has had on British sport, as basketball has become a much more seriously-taken sport over the past few years. Hopefully, like Kenrick’s squad, it can continue to thrive and succeed in the future.
The half time break saw some of the spectators take the opportunity to take a ball and shoot themselves, and by the looks of things, the current team have no threat to their positions. The second half began and ended with a wave of top-class HSFC play. The third quarter saw Havering draw out a 22-point lead by the end of the quarter, and this
The final quarter saw Havering open again strongly and stretch to a game-high 33-point lead. The advantage, despite a strong finish from the visitors who scored 20 points in the final quarter, their highest tally throughout the game, was too great to overcome and the game finished 64-89, and an overall strong display from Havering’s team.
Squad: 5. Gabriel Amuzie 4. Axe William Allan 6. Jordan McDonald 7. Leith Rennie 8. Dijenus Adejemi 9. Erikas Ptakauskas 10. Titus Balaukynas 12. Maroldus Trunea 13. Carl Nathan Thompson 14. Adejimi Vincent 15. Jarrett Palmer