Match Reports
Away v Tameside
Texas 29/04/06 Match Stats
Play off Match
Outcome Lost
107-48
The biggest match of the season resulted in the
biggest loss of the season and so we finished a successful year in almost
exactly the same way as last year. This doesnt reflect on the amount of effort
put in by the players who showed up though. Pride was at stake and I dont
think anyone gave less than 100% effort. We only had 8 players (4 of them north
of 40!) and they had 11 fit and fast players in their big arena. The plan was
to play the game at our tempo, but they hadnt read the script and stormed out
of the starting blocks at us with a full court press and an ambition to break
quickly every time they had possession. After 4 minutes we were 12-2 down and
were not helping ourselves with hurried offence, poor passing and silly out of
bounds mistakes. Controlled shooting by Sam and Tush along with fast breaks
from Simon and good work close to the basket by Dave kept us in the game until
mid way through Q2 when they punished our tiring legs and piled on some points
to have a 50-19 lead at half time. The heart in the Holmes Chapel Team never
ceases to amaze though and Q3 saw us play some tight and controlled Basketball
and this gave space for Tush to really turn on some magic he scored 18 of his
20 point total in this quarter! But by q4 we were exhausted and this left gaps
for them to run into and really take us apart we only scored 4 free throws in
this quarter. But we will learn from this year and Im sure well be better
placed next year.
We said goodbye to Simon in this match as he leaves us
to go to University. Hes come on as a player massively in the last 3 years and
will be missed for his positive attitude, contribution to the points totals and
his cheerful personality. Lets hope he has 3 years of fun and education,
improves as a player, gets a job close to home and signs on again in 3 years
time for us!
Top
Scorer Tush
Played
out of their skin Tush for his Q3
alone. Everyone else for their massive effort
Must
improve Turnovers cost us dear easy
mistakes, poor passes and being caught in possession we must work on all of
these in the close season.
Home v High
Peak 29/03/06 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Won
79-72
A fabulous win against a team that we know will always
give us a tough game. As we won by 7 points but lost away to High Peak by 8
points we must now wait and see if we have made the play-offs. But the time can
be used in practice to good effect particularly working on player
concentration during the game and not giving away cheap fouls. Q1 saw another
slow start from the Hornets and it was 5 minutes before we saw a shot land from
the field but in the 6th and 7th minute the game was won
and lost. Andy shot 3 massive 3 pointers in a row and then their best player
got called for 2 technical fouls in succession leaving him in foul trouble and
Andy on the line to shoot 3 from 4. We went from 5 points down to 9 points up.
Lessons to be learnt for all players about staying cool when things are going
well and badly. We lead by 8 at the end of the quarter. But High Peak fought
backing Q2 and levelled against some mediocre defence from the Hornets, Josh
hit some classic jump shots to keep us in the game. Half time was all level but
the opposition were in foul trouble and this proved to be their downfall. Their
top scorer fouled out and Tush and Simon scored on fast breaks and turnovers to
restore a 7 point lead at the end of the quarter. Tom and Dave cleaned our
defensive boards and the game felt comfortable. But you underestimate High Peak
at your peril and they hit us hard early in Q4 to briefly re-take the lead. The
discipline of the Hornets shone through now as we stopped making silly fouls
and they didnt, leaving us to squeeze the life out of the game from the free
throw line
Top
Scorer Tush
Played
out of their skin Tush 30 points
and steals and assists. Andrew - awesome 3 pointers.
Must
improve Man to man marking in q2 was
poor. Cheap fouls (including a technical) could have cost us the match.
Turnovers back court violations and goal tending gave up our possession
cheaply.
Away v
Rossendale 21/03/06 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Won
67-64
Brilliant bounce back from last weeks disappointment.
Very poor preparation again when most of the team got lost and we had to start
with virtually no warm up (its vital to get to matches early and warm up
properly to stop getting pulled muscles early in the game!). The Hornets
screamed out of the starting blocks and completely overwhelmed the hosts in the
first quarter. Sam and John Whelan driving well against their Man to Man defence
and Dodge returning a couple of nice rebounds all with a rock solid defence.
We ended the quarter 22-9. But we hadnt taken a lot of players and were
already one down when their fight back came. Fight being the operative word as
the game became very physical and we actually lost all 3 of the next quarters
but played with such control that that we always felt we were going to win. Our
controlled slipped a couple of times in giving away a Technical and an
Un-sportsman foul. They took the lead briefly in the 3rd quarter but
our power centre Gary Masson steps in with 5 points in a 3 minute burst to
restore the lead and control. They applied pressure in Q4 as we knew they would
but steals and breakaway points from Simon, Gary and John meant we took away
both points and this could be the path to the playoffs.
Top
Scorer John Whelan
Played
out of their skin The Iceman points
from everywhere. Sam beat his marker all night, Gary best game of the season by
far.
Must
improve Get to the game on time. Dont
give away silly fouls and turnovers under pressure use the easy pass!
Home v Copley
15/03/06 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome
Lost 99-61
Sometimes you have to say we were beaten by the better
team on the night and this was the case here. We had our strongest team out but
failed to contain them. After 6 minutes we hadnt played badly but were 20-8
down due to their excellent outside shooters. As their shooters were tall guys
our big guys went out to mark them and this left our defensive rebounding weak.
We tried changing our defence and to run them using a fast break but they
countered everything we tried. Their passing offence hurt us all night by
finding an open player and it was only by huge effort in the last quarter that
we stopped them going past the century. A tough match to play in but one in
which we learnt what we must now practice.
Top
Scorer Tush
Played
out of their skin Dave Evans
controlled shooting, John Whelan great points against strong defence
Must
improve Our man to man defence and
our ability to get a shooter free against a zone defence.
Away v
MMU 06/03/06 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome
Lost 97-57
Theres nothing like perfect preparation for a match
and this was nothing like perfect preparation. Dave pulled one hour before the
match to go to Hospital and the rest of
the team getting lost to arrive as the refs are blowing 3 minutes to the
start. With the standard big point scorers all sitting out it was down to the
rest of us to make a big show and surprisingly we did. Peaky, Simon, John,
Josh and Chappy all hitting points to give us an early lead. But they soon
spotted our lack of height and worked the ball inside to their big men for the
rest of the night. Great effort was put in by the whole team to plug the gaps
but the students played with cool heads and patience and kept scoring or
drawing fouls. Offence was made tricky by their good man to man defence and we
stopped getting players free for a pass, particularly as we tired. But all the
players stuck to their tasks and in the end managed to walk off with heads up
although we had been well beaten.
Top
Scorer Simon
Played
out of their skin Simon Top shooting
as well as fast breaks, Josh 16 points and lots of rebounds against a big
defence
Must
improve Getting to matches in time to
warm up. Getting free to receive a pass against a man defence.
Home v Tameside Texas 01/03/06 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Won
92-79
Ive seen smaller crowds at National League games and
Ive seen lower standard Basketball at National League games! This was total
Basketball from Holmes Chapel as we blitzed the hitherto unbeaten League
leaders and left them looking shocked and stunned. I honestly cannot remember a
better performance from the Hornets, not just this season but ever. The first 5
got off to a flier (not often I write that!) and sank baskets from everywhere
whilst the man to man defence was tighter than Nicks wallet. Our defensive
boards were swept clean and the fouls racked up quickly for the opposition. The
situation didnt change as players came off the bench to keep a relentless
pressure on a team clearly not used to it. Q1 finished with us 14 points up
(Tush scored 14 points in the first quarter too!) and we soon opened to a 20
point gap in Q2. At this point the opposition found their feet, at the same
moment as we made a string of unforced turnovers and in a 3 minute period they
put in 10 unanswered points. Rodman steps off the Hornets Bench to bank a close
shot and flick in a trademark outside
shot to steady the ship and Tom cleaned up a couple of shots ring high to take
us into the break 10 up. Their coach warmed their ears at half time but to no
avail as we stormed out into Q3 with points coming from lots of different
players. Sam, Tush and Andrew sinking from the outside. Tom, Dave, Josh and
Peaky close to the basket and the artful dodgers Chappy, John and Simon
nicking the ball and drawing fouls to gain possession. At one stage we were 23
points ahead and feeling like world beaters. We knew what was coming in Q4 and
the opposition threw everything at us in a full court press but every time
they scored we exploited the gaps to score at the other end. A final quarter
where they got to within 8 points and that contained 58 points in total was
pure entertainment, certainly too much entertainment for the home coach! The
Hornets finally got control and strangled the game to death by playing freeze
ball. An extra tier of seating is being ordered for the expected full house at
the next home game!
Top
Scorer Tom
Played
out of their skin Tom gave a virtuoso
Big man show, but everyone was a star in this top class performance
Must
improve turnovers 10 in each half
imagine how comfortable it would have been without these!
Away v Cardinal Langley 21/02/06 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Lost 62-31 (scoring errors mean score sheet shows 62-28)
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This story shall the good man teach his son, |
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And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, |
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From this day to the ending of the world, |
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But we in it shall be remember'd; |
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We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; |
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For he to-day that sheds his blood with me |
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Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, |
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This day shall gentle his condition: |
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And gentlemen in England now a-bed |
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Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, |
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And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks |
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That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day. Third match in 6 days and the 7 players that turned up looked tired during the warm-up! Shot selection all night was good but execution wasnt we missed far to many baskets to create any real pressure. Defence was fantastic as everyone nursed one last effort out of themselves to get back and make life difficult but ultimately we were playing for our pride and we left with it intact. We must play in control in these games and it was an obvious instruction from the coach to avoid fouls early in the game for one player to then get 3 in the first quarter is idiotic you know who you are! |
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Top
Scorer Dave Evans
Played
out of their skin Everyone that
turned up was a star for putting their tired bodies on the line to gain a point
for the club.
Must
improve getting more players to away
games
Away v High Peak
19/02/06 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Lost 66-58
Another match to show off the fighting spirit of the club. A reduced strength team played their heart out to give High peak a fright. The game plan worked well in Q1 with a box and one nullifying their main strike force. Q2 was a disaster as it took us 6 minutes to register a basket and the first quarter lead was given away as we were caught dribbling far too many times when a simple pass. But some fine shooting from John Whelan got us to level at half time. Another terrible passage of play to start the 3rd quarter saw us only score 2 points in 7 minutes and we started to look tired as they stretched an easy lead. But from then on we applied a constant pressure and they hit foul trouble and looked worried. Josh sank 3 excellent outside shots in a row and we pressed for a victory. High Peak held out though everyone will have learnt a little more about them ready for the return match!
Top
Scorer Josh and John Peak Equal
Played
out of their skin Josh and John for
their shooting and Sam for control and fast breaks.
Must
improve passing in offence too many
turnovers (is there a theme building here?)
Home v Rainford
15/02/06 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Lost 83-63
Rainford are a quality basketball team and were too good for us on this night. We need to see this as a lesson and an indication of the standard we need to aspire to for next year. To start with our defence let their big players in and when the defence was changed to block this they shot from the outside and they passed us to pieces all night. We failed to build pressure on them and missed too many easy shots, lay-ups and surprisingly free throws. Had these gone in we would have been in with a chance. We actually won quarter 4 but this was down to a virtuoso performance from Tush who popped 17 points in this quarter alone.
Top
Scorer Tush
Played
out of their skin Tush excellent
shooting, Dave great close to the basket and some assists, Cliff 6 steals.
Must
improve passing in offence too many
turnovers
Away v Canute
06/02/06 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Won 50-42
What
a game! Hearts were pumping, sinews were breaking and that was just the
spectators! Q1 was a nightmare start. Defence was solid but the attack lacked
movement and penetration for both teams after 7 minutes the score was 4-4,
but the Hornets watched as fast break after fast break went past them to go in
15-4 down disaster looming. The defence was changed to a zone to counter the
inside threat and the come back started. Tom and John W got the majority of the
points but all the team got a run and the interplay and patience was pleasing
to watch and the opposition started to look tired. We entered half time only 6
down and within a sniff of the game. Q3 was the same formula with different
scorers, Sam and Chappy hitting from outside and Dave close to the basket.
Peaky constantly out rebounded their big guys to take ball after ball in
defence (Im convinced he thinks hes Dennis Rodman!). They were kept down to 8
points by our excellent defence and we went into Q4 level. Belief was now
massive in the Holmes Chapel camp and team Basketball was called for and got
complete control against a side still hungry for a win. But one player stood
out and showed he has the temperament to play at the highest level. John Whelan
was flattened whilst making a 3 point attempt when the game was level with 3 minutes
to play he got up dusted himself off and plopped all 3 free throws. We
stretched the lead slightly and in the last minute John was fouled again
attempting the basket and calmly stepped up and took both points (he is
officially now known as The Iceman). Oh and Dennis Rodman was not only top
rebounder he also thought hed grab a 3 pointer as the 24 second clock was
about to go - brilliant! We ran out victors by 8 points in the end -comfortable really!
Top
Scorer Tom
Played
out of their skin The Iceman and
Dennis Rodman.
Must
improve Q1 just everything was
awful
Away v Saddleworth
26/01/06 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Lost 91-49
Our
biggest loss of the season and we were outplayed in every department. The
opposition were well drilled, athletic, tight in defence and excellent
shooters. Our effort was never in question but our execution was at times
woeful and this needs fixing in training rather than in matches. What let us
down most of all was the shooting for once we seemed to be careful in our
shot selection only to see punt after punt hit the ring and for them to rebound
and put us straight back under pressure. Even worse was the free throws take
out Tushs 8 from 12 and the rest of the team shot 3 from 20! We put ourselves
under further pressure by talking back to the Refs after we had been warned
(Unforgivable!). The first three quarters were dominated by Saddleworth playing
tough on both boards and working their shooters free with patient offence.
Pleasingly the Hornet spirit held despite the beating and we scored 18 in Q4
with some spirited driving at their tiring defence. We also claim the basket of
the night with a fast break passed out to Dave who passed inside to Tush to
drive and dish off a brilliant assist for Dave to finish ring high.
Top
Scorer Tush
Played
out of their skin Tush played well
when not sitting down and Peakys defence was intense.
Must
improve Shooting overall and Free
throws in particular. When the Ref gives a warning about talking back he means
it!
Home v Tameside
18/01/06 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Won 65-62 after overtime
Matches
that go into overtime are normally brilliant to play in and watch this was
more like watching a horror movie! The game plan of tiring them out and running
them off the court nearly backfired completely. Q1 went to plan ending in us
being up 10 points as we bossed the end of the quarter at both baskets. We
missed a lot of shots though, some were the correct shots to take but just
didnt go in (forgivable), some rushed, wrong option, defended and with no
re-bounders ( unforgivable). Q2 saw Tameside coming into the game a little more
as they learned to deal with our defence but we still won a tight quarter to go
in to half time 11 points up. Q3 was really poor from us some of the worst
Basketball this season. Even worse shot selection though I didnt think it was
possible and coupled with that the defence went onto a standstill. They saw
light at the end of the tunnel and we turned up the illumination by giving them
14 free throws. We lost the quarter by 12 to go into the last quarter 1 down.
We quickly grabbed the lead back though and some sharp shooting from Andrew and
Tush meant that with 2 minutes to go we were 7 points up and should have
chocked the game off from there. But they came back played a couple of excellent
offences against us and we missed shots at the other end. With 15 seconds to go
we are 2 up as they gain possession.
There is never a good time to give away an unsportsmanlike foul but at
this stage of the game its madness. They went to the line plopped them both
and now had possession with 15 seconds to score and win! Fortunately fabulous
defence saved the day and sent the match into overtime. Tush and Simon broke
away to score some quick baskets and with 2 minutes to go we were 7 points up (sound
familiar?) but this time managed to run off the clock despite them scoring
twice. Coach had a fitful sleep and woke in a foul mood. (Now page down and
read the first match report to remind ourselves how we can play)
Top
Scorer Andrew
Played
out of their skin Simon and Chappy
played excellent defence, Peaky was tireless in offence but hardly got a pass.
Must
improve Shot selection was abysmal,
shots were being forced and missed all night.
Home v Rossendale
07/12/05 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Won 85-78
A
win in what proved to be the last game of the year should have left everyone
with a smile on their face, but this was a difficult game to enjoy as the Refs
seemed to want to get involved too much. The Hornets turned around recent form
by racing into a quick lead and after 8 minutes we were 11 points up and
looking towards an easy victory. But the foul count kept on coming for the
Hornets (some justified, some not Peaky and Nick getting some exceptionally
poor calls). Racking up fouls did 3 things it put them on the line for easy
points, it gave them a rest and it destroyed our rhythm. This turned it into a
scrappy match with Rossendale showing that they are no pushover. Although we
never lost the lead Rossendale kept chipping away at it and we went into half
time only 5 points up. Id normally complain strongly at players getting
Technical and Unsportsman like fouls but as I felt that neither were justified
Ill let these go (it wont always happen!!!). The Hornets were scoring from a
number of areas but our turnover count was high and we started to rush our
offence resulting in poor shot selection and easy rebounds for them. But
quarter 4 saw more control and we had to have it as the visitors put us under
pressure but our experience showed and the end game was very good as we
squeezed out our victory.
Top
Scorer Andrew 25 points
Played
out of their skin Sam great control
in the end phase and a couple of sweet 3s
Must
improve Giving away cheap fouls and
39 free throws
Home v Blackpool
30/11/05 Match Stats
Cup Match
Outcome Lost 81-74
The
Hornets welcomed the top of the Premiership team and gave them a fright in and
excellent match where the lead swapped a number of times. Quarter 1 was the
normal slow start from HC with a number of missed shots and turnovers, we made
it difficult for ourselves. 7 points down after 7 minutes and Blackpool looked
comfortable. But the shooting range was found and 8 points were scored
unanswered by the opposition. Sam scored a big 3 on the buzzer to give us the
lead again at the end of the quarter. The tall and powerful Blackpool team are
not one of the best teams in the North West for nothing though and they stormed
back at as in Q2, expertly seeking out mismatches in our zone defence and
dominating both boards. We were 8 down at the start of Q3 and decided to change
to a Man to Man defence and what a difference. Blackpool looked shaken under
our onslaught and gaps opened in their defence for Andrew in particular to show
off his shooting talents. The Game was finely balanced going into Q4 and we
regained the lead in the 3rd minute. Blackpool dug on all of their
resources and our foul count racked up, putting them on the line too many times
and they didnt miss many. A technical foul by one of their players showed the
stress they were under and when the free throws were converted we were only 1
point behind with 2 minutes to play. Now the experience of Blackpool told as
they shut out the game forcing us to foul and put them on the line.
We
lost, but heads were held high and proud as we trooped off.
Top
Scorer Andrew 30 points against a
top defence!
Played
out of their skin Andrew, Simon
another double digit score, Josh great in defence
Must
improve slow starts, turnovers and
giving away cheap fouls
Home v Cardinal Langley 23/11/05 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Won 70-63
Another
tough match against a tall and powerful opposition. We tried a 2-1-2 zone
against them to stop the inside threat and they played it very well driving in
where possible and with their great defensive rebounding they took an early
lead. In Q2 they quickly stretched this lead with 8 unanswered points. The
Hornets were 13 down and making unforced error after un forced error as the
count on possession lost kept climbing. But with a change of defence to Man to
Man the whole game changed. Cardinal Langley then made the errors and their
foul count rose dramatically. Hornets had a period of play where they scored 19
against the opponents 2! The second half became the Simon Rawlings show he
scored 15 points in 7 minutes ( the only hornet to score in that passage) not
just his trade mark fast break but outside shots and 3 from 4 free throws too.
Going into Q4 we had a 12 point lead and looked comfortable but the opposition
rallied to get within 2 points at on stage but the practicing of end game
situations in the close season played off and Holmes Chapel squeezed out a very
satisfying victory.
Top
Scorer Simon 5 different top
scorers so far this season
Played
out of their skin Simon became a
points machine. Sam for his control in the final phase and Josh for the highest
check of the season
Must
improve Killing off the game when we
have a comfortable lead
Away v Copley
20/11/05 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Lost 70-54
Away
v the league leaders was not going to be easy but we knew they had a
reputation as a fast breaking team and were prepared to put a stop to that.
Well that was the theory, the practice was we watched them fast break us all
night and they must have easily scored 30 points from this. They blew us away
in Q1 as they proved they could also play skilled offence against a zone. The
changed to a Man defence in Q2 helped
but they still won the quarter easily as we also missed some easy baskets. The
one shining light was John Whelan who had a great match constantly hitting
fantastic shots and grabbed a number of offensive rebounds. We settled in Q3
and won both the quarter and the half but by then it was too late they had
carved too big a lead for us to chase down.
Top
Scorer John Whelan
Played
out of their skin John Whelan He loves this court he topped
scored here last year too. Best performance yet from John
Must
improve stopping the fast break
Home v MMU
10/11/05 Match Stats
League Match
Won 64-53
This
low scoring match was on the whole dominated by Holmes Chapel. The University
did put up a strong performance in Q1 though and drove into the zone very
effectively to draw fouls or dish off for easy baskets. The defence was changed
to a 2-1-2 to stop this and the match steadily swung the Hornets. Tush was out
due to illness and Andrew picked up some quick fouls (questionable calls) which
meant he had to be saved for the later stages. So without our 2 biggest scorers
what happened? A well drilled performance from the rest of the team points came
from all over as the offence settled into a patience not often seen. Although
the University got back to within 2 points in Q4 it was us who kept our heads
and them who made the unforced errors. Top Basketball in Q4
Top
Scorer Tom
Played
out of their skin Sam great defence
and ball management, Simon fast breaks and cool shooting, Dodge grab the
rebound and stick it back in.
Must
improve closing the defence to
driving guards.
Away v Tameside Texas 10/11/05 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Lost 85-76
This
was forecast to be a tough game and so it proved, our opponents were well
drilled and athletic and were clearly used to the space in their magnificent
arena. The Hornets put in a top quality performance in Q1 and were narrowly
edged out, the only downside being a few of our players hitting early foul
trouble. Q2 saw the Hornets settle and with Andrew hitting a rich vein of form
we took the lead when one of their players picked up two technical fouls and
Andrew plopped all 4 free shots. This triggered an awful passage of play from
the Hornets either side of half time where we scored 2 points and they scored
16 and we couldnt stop fouling! In the match we gave them 45 free throws and
this alone cost us the match. Despite Andrew fouling out early in Q4 we
actually played very strongly and won the quarter with good contributions from
Josh and Dave but it was too late by then the hosts were deserved winners.
Top
Scorer Andrew
Played
out of their skin Josh great work on
both boards and 18 points.
Must
improve giving away silly fouls and
defending the fast break
Away v Penwortham2 06/11/05 Match Stats
Cup Match
Outcome Won 64-63
Not
a match for the faint hearted to watch! If it is the destiny of champions to
play badly and win well top the league on this performance! With 12 players on
the team (and more on the bench!) it felt as if we should overawe our hosts
from the lower Division and that was how Q1 panned out. All players got on in
Q1 with 8 players scoring (and a couple of awful misses!) we were fully in
control leading by 9 points at the end of the quarter and having successfully
negotiated the full court press against us. Then it all went horribly wrong
players forgot how to pass, dribbled into trouble and made unforced error after
unforced error with almost everybody contributing Ill single out Tom as a
beacon of light though, he was magnificent all night. Our supporters were
demanding their money back forgetting that they hadnt even paid! Penwortham
over turned our lead and we went into half time completely level but only
because the hosts couldnt shoot from the free throw line (3 from 15 in the
quarter). And just when you think it
cant get any worse they started to shoot 3 pointers in Q3 at the same time as
we were shooting air balls we went into Q4 13 points down with disaster
looming. Q4 saw the complete turn around the defence was magnificent chasing
down, stealing and blocking. They panicked against our press offence and we
sniffed victory. Tom work tirelessly in the low post to score points or to draw
fouls and this opened the game but with 2 minutes to go we were still 7 points
down. Tush, Josh and Andrew scored without reply and with 20 seconds to go Dave
grabbed the ball and powered it in from
close range. 1 point up could we hold? Without doubt the team looked like
winners now and the defence held out. Phew!
Top
Scorer Tom
Played
out of their skin Tom first match
back and brilliant all night, we would have lost without his effort. Dave Evans
for 2 baskets one an audacious rip out of the hands of their centre and stuff
in from close range the other for the final points never scored a better
basket from 2 feet out.
Must
improve everything in Q2 and Q3
particularly control and passing. Choose an unmarked player close to you rather
than someone who is marked and 30
metres away! No 3 pointers landed all night!
Away v Rainford 18/10/05 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Lost 75-56
A
dreadful Q1 where we finished 19 points down having only scored 2 points. This
was the worst quarter on record at Holmes Chapel. Nothing went right. A change
of defence was made and a fight back of sorts was established with players
digging deep into their personal resources but we were against a very well
drilled team and at half time we had lost even more ground to trail by 23. Q3
saw some ragged defence from the Hornets and on their large court they got away
to run in some easy lay-ups. We went into Q4 31 points down but at last the
Hornets found their sting. A Pressure defence was applied and the Hornets
scored 16 unanswered points to finally put some pressure on Rainford who looked
rattled but brought out their freeze play to run down the clock. Holmes Chapel
left with pride intact losing by 19 points the same as at the end of Q1.
Top
Scorer Andrew Dudgeon
Played
out of their skin John Whelan loads
of effort, some fantastic rebounds and scored all the Q1 points.
Must
improve playing from the start of the
match not the start of Q2 see last report too
Home v Canute2 12/10/05 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Won 76-54
In
front of a capacity crowd (3 benches) the Hornets sparkled and cruised to a
comfortable victory. Well they did after a dreadful Q1. Nothing went right, the
offence took the correct shots but missed short shots, long shots, lay ups
nothing would stick. This combined with a sloppy Man to Man defence meant we
were 16-7 down at the end of the quarter. Q2 saw a change to a zone defence and
a change of attitude from the team. Tight defence and 6 players scoring meant
that we pulled our way back into the match and were only 1 point down at
halfway. Canute had only brought 8 players and were one down due to an injury
now, just as the Hornets upped the pressure. All 12 of the home side were used
in rotation to apply a relentless pressure defence and Canute wilted. Andrew
turned in a masterclass in Q3 scoring 17 points and showing all his vast range
of skills. (oh did I mention he was only on for 6 minutes!). By the start of Q4
the game was already won but Holmes Chapel stuck to the job and it was Tushs
turn to give Janet writers cramp! 13 points in Q4 including a huge cheeky 3
pointer. Excellent performance in winning the last 3 quarters 69-38
Top
Scorer Andrew Dudgeon
Played
out of their skin Andrew Q3
performance. Tush Q4 Performance
Must
improve playing from the start of the
match not the start of Q2
Home v Saddleworth 05/10/05 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Lost 54-60
This league is much tougher than last year and this match will be a great learning curve as Holmes Chapel strive to become a top club. All players played well, at some time in the match, and I believe most players ended as better basketball players than when they started the match. Our defence was mostly sound, keeping a good shooting team down to 60 points is credible. Our offence sparkled in places and looked unstoppable. But consistency was our problem. Against better teams we have to value our possession and turn it into shooting opportunities, we were guilty of: 3 second violation, back court violation, passing straight to the opposition and passing straight out of court at least 6 offences given up without a shot. The other major weakness was the number of free throws we gave away have a guess how many and then take a look at the stats. Q1 was a slow start with a lot of players getting their first court time of the year but after 5 minutes we were back in the lead after some sharp shooting from Andrew. But we gave them 7 free throws in the next 5 minutes and they finished the quarter with a 3 point shot and a 5 point lead. But the team effort from there was immense with the majority of players getting in the points and we regained the lead after 5 minutes of the Q2 only to then let it slip back to them when our concentration failed and we gave away easy points. Q3 was even, but the focus of attack was changed for Holmes Chapel as we started driving to the basket and they fouled us. Q4 started with the Hornets still 4 points adrift but we sprang out of the blocks and after 4 minutes were back in front after some fine shooting and offensive rebounding. But we continued to foul and they continued to hit free shots and the lead swapped 3 times in 2 minutes in the end they hit some good shots and lay ups and we missed our shots (but this isnt where the match was lost!)
2 excellent positives: Josh big step around the defender from the low post for the basket of the night and Gary picking up the ball in the high post position sucking in defenders and finding an outside shooter to hit a clean shot 2 plays straight from the training sessions!
Top Scorer Andrew Dudgeon
Played
out of their skin Peaky and John
Whelan both wanted to regain possession by steals and rebounds and got it by
showing more desire to win the ball than the opposition.
Must
improve giving away silly fouls and
free throws
Away v Tameside
26/9/05 Match Stats
League Match
Outcome Won 73-50
First match of the season. 3 players making their debut and we played like wed known each other for years. Not the greatest of starts though as we arrived so late there was no chance for a warm up! An initial period of equal game followed as Holmes chapel eased themselves into the game but towards the end of Q1 our offence warmed up and we had a comfortable lead to take into Q2. We relaxed at the wrong time and Tameside came back strongly in Q2 they had some effective big players that we struggled to keep under control and we were only 3 points up at half time. The second half was a joy to watch. Sam and John Whelan controlled the game from the guards and Simon scored some effective fast breaks. Gary and Dodge controlled the boards. Josh and Andrew took the game away from them with effective shooting from the outside and inside. Two passages stand out after the break our defence was so good it took them 5 and a half minutes to score! In Q4 we had a passage of 2 minutes in their half where every time we shot we either scored and regained possession or grabbed the rebound and pumped it out again for another patient offence. Total Basketball the Coach slept very soundly and awoke with a smile on his face!
Top
Scorer Josh Grooms
Played
out of their skin Everyone but
special mentions for Sam, Andrew and Josh all on their debut all played with
control
Must
improve getting to matches in time to
warm up before the tip!