| |
|
|
|
Click
on logo
to access
Maths & Computing
area |
|
Lancashire Schools Basketball
- under 16 final
Monday
8th March 2004
Bacup
60 :
Mansfield 51
Lancashire Champions at the 3rd time of asking
 Having played in 2 previous finals, losing them both, this
was to be the 3rd attempt by this Bacup team to become the Lancashire Champions.
The
only other times that the two schools involved in this year’s final
have met before was in last year’s Lancashire Cup. Both schools won their
respective home games, so not much clue as to who would start as the favourites
at the neutral venue in Haslingden.
When the game began, Bacup were the much
stronger team. The starting 5 of Kenny Eaton, Duncan Harris, Jacob Bullen,
Alex Blow and Phil Howe all scored
points as they raced away to score a total of 25 points by the end of the first
quarter. In the break between quarters, comments were made that this could
be a bit of one-sided final with Bacup reaching a hundred points or more.
At
the other end of the court, Mansfield struggled to get into any sort of rhythm
because the Bacup defence smothered their offensive threat and out rebounded
their opponents, giving them almost no opportunities to score. Mansfield finished
the first quarter with only four baskets.
Bacup deservedly led by 17 points,
25 points to 8.
Game over after only a few minutes? Not quite.
 The second quarter saw a reversal
of fortunes for both teams. Mansfield warmed up to the task and suddenly clicked
into gear scoring 5 quick baskets without
reply. Suddenly it was a close game. Bacup, as a team, struggled to score,
but Kenny with a 3 pointer and Alex with one basket and a couple of free throws
just about kept Bacup in front. Passing errors led to turnovers of possession
meaning that the limited scoring opportunities were wasted.
At half time Bacup
still led, but by the much reduced margin of only 6 points.
In the third quarter
Mansfield continued to score, but Bacup had regained their composure and started
to put up a much better show, passing the ball
a lot better. Kenny and Alex both scored 3 baskets each as the teams now matched
each other basket for basket; the Bacup lead remained 6 points.
With a minute
to go at the end of the period, Jacob Bullen scored 3 quick baskets to extend
the lead to 12 points.
 The final period of the game saw a repeat of the second
quarter. Mansfield were not going to give in easily and they stepped up the
pace offensively,
scoring three quick baskets. The lead was back down to 6. Defensively, they
put more pressure on which led to some more wayward Bacup passing, again limiting
the offensive threat as the ball was given away time and time again. But with
a couple of baskets from Phil, one from Kenny and a free throw from Shane Dixon,
Bacup held the gap at 6 points. With time running out, Kenny’s 3 point
shot right on the buzzer gave Bacup a 9 point win.
Kenny finished with 20 points,
Jacob 10 and Alex 18.
The full team is Chris Greenwood,
Aiden Smyth, Stefan Harris, Brendan Darcy, Matthew Goggins, Shane Dixon, Alex
Blow, Kenny Eaton,
Duncan Harris, Jacob
Bullen & Phil Howe.
Other Photos:
|
|
|
