Solent blitzed as the Storm move second
Basketball
Hemel Storm 89 Team Solent 70
HEMEL Storm hit eleven three-pointers on their way to an 89-70 victory against Team Solent to move up to second place in the National League table.
Hemel produced an improved second-half performance at Sportspace after the teams went into the interval with the score locked at 40 points each.
Solent had earlier fought back from a 10-point deficit in the second quarter to get on level terms, but a 13-0 Hemel run mid-way through the third quarter proved to be decisive.
Led by accurate shooting from top-scorer Drew Spinks (31 points) and the deft inside play of Tom Frederick (21 points), Storm took control of the game and gave the visitors no hope of staging a comeback.
Hemel coach Dave Titmuss said: “Solent played well, especially in the second quarter when they cancelled out our 10-point lead.
“But we came out of the locker room with renewed focus and won the game with the three-point shots and some terrific defensive sequences.”
Storm stole the ball 18 times and converted the extra possession into points as they moved the ball well on offence to find open shooters.
Rich Wellings (16 points) was lethal from behind the three-point arc – scoring all but one of his points from there.
Spinks added three long-range efforts, while new signing Nick Holland netted two and guard James Dawe nailed the team’s 11th three-pointer in the last minute.
The crowd gave Storm’s popular guard Bode Adeluola warm applause when he was substituted into the game for his first appearance since seriously injuring ankle ligaments in mid-November.
“He played around eight minutes and although obviously he’s not completely match fit yet we were all delighted to see him back on the court,” said Titmuss.
“He’ll get stronger over the next few weeks and hopefully return to his pre-injury form.”
Saturday’s game was a dress-rehearsal for the National Patron’s Cup semi-final which sees Storm meet Solent at Sportspace on Sunday, February 5 at 4pm.
Storm are the current holders of the trophy having defeated London United in last season’s final.
In the meantime, Storm’s next home game is an early tip-off – 4pm – at Sportspace on Saturday, January 28th against London Eastside.
Eastside currently sit in seventh place in the league table, having won four and lost seven of their opening 11 National League fixtures this season.
Storm will be clear favourites going into the game.
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
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