Double delight for Storm in a winning weekend

Against a stubborn Ipswich side, Trilogy-it sponsored Storm left it until the second half before breaking away to earn a big 96-68 win.

The first quarter got off to a slow start and, after four minutes’ play, the home side led by a single point at 7-6 before Hemel’s star guard Bode Adeluola took the game into his own hands.

He rattled in the next 13 points, leaving his team hanging on to a 22-20 edge as the period ended.

It was Ipswich that started the second quarter strongly and took a slender two-point lead before three-pointers from Carl Josey and Adam Rickwood put the home side in front.

Kenroy Wood, who has not seen a lot of playing time so far this season, then took over the scoring mantle with four points including a huge slam-dunk that delighted the crowd and gave Storm a 45-35 advantage at the half.

Ipswich, to their credit, fought back as hard as they could and both sides went basket for basket in the first few minutes of the third quarter before Storm eased themselves into a 65-50 lead with just 10 minutes left to play.

The final quarter was all one way as Hemel dominated a tiring Ipswich side and kept increasing their lead.

Six quick points by Adeluola and another three by Simon Kearney pushed the lead to 20 and the final buzzer eventually came as relief for the visitors.

Storm head coach Steve Darlow said: “I was delighted with the defensive pressure that we maintained throughout the game.

“In terms of individuals it was pleasing to see Kenroy grabbing his chance to get some playing time with both hands. He was outstanding.”

On Saturday, Hemel led for most of the game at Newham – increasing a three-point first quarter lead to a 36-31 edge by half-time in a physical and scrappy clash.

At the end of the third quarter, Storm pushed out the advantage to nine points before clinching a hard-fought 82-76 win.

Elsewhere, Storm’s youth side demonstrated that the future looks exciting for the club when they crushed a usually dominant Reading Rockets Academy side 92-56 in a National Youth Premier League clash in Berkshire.

The youngsters produced a stunning display of team basketball and accurate shooting, with guard Nick Allin setting a new junior record as he netted 38 points.

The Storm first team are back at Sportspace on Saturday with another National Trophy group game against the Kent Crusaders.

The game tips-off at 7pm, with the Storm U18 side playing Vale Basketball in a curtain-raiser at 4.15pm.

For tickets and further information, please visit www.stormbasketball.net