TADEA Lions Overcome Harrogate Late Raid (From The Northern Echo)

TADEA Lions Overcome Harrogate Late Raid

4:19pm Monday 13th September 2010 in TADEA Middlesbrough Lions

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TADEA Middlesbrough Lions 89-77 Harrogate Raiders The TADEA Middlesbrough Lions wrapped up a good pre season with a good win over Harrogate Raiders at Eston Sports Academy.

The game saw the introduction of Tom Robinson as a genuine Lions player after signing his contract and he would mark the sheet with a good drive followed by 1 of 2 free throws after being fouled. The Raiders though hit back strong as player/coach Ian McAra clocked his first points with Polish guard Pawel Gachewicz hot on his heels. TADEA Lions’ Lithuanian forward; Justinas Lasevicius then hit a 3-pointer to get the game going. A two minute run from Raiders produced 7 unanswered points with Gachewicz pulling the strings for the Raiders while big men Radojcic and Gardner produced the goods under the basket.

The introduction of Ralph Bucci for TADEA Lions had an immediate impact with Middlesbrough regaining the lead on the back of his 10 straight points. Damian Warriner was then introduced and after a poor game by his standards the previous week, showed a determined approach with instant pressure on the Raiders forcing them into errors. Gardner and Gachewicz kept Raiders in the game with some good play though a strong finish from Bucci would result in an And 1 play to earn a 4pt lead at the end of the first quarter, 21-17.

TADEA Lions produced their best defence in the second quarter and Warriner was at the heart of this with the speedy guard at his tenacious best. Bucci also collected three steals in the period and it helped to restrict the Raiders to just 13pts with a particularly strong Middlesbrough finish a highlight. Warriner was in scoring form with 8pts to instigate a 10-0 run. John Ford was also on form with 5pts in the quarter and Tom Robinson was running the floor well as he turned provider, dishing out 4 assists in this period alone. TADEA Lions would finish the half up by 15pts, 45-30.

The third quarter was a stern test for Middlesbrough as the Raiders produced an all round team performance to take the quarter. Great play from Wells, Gardner and young Chris Powell stretched the TADEA Lions and earned the visitors a 6pt win for the quarter, although they were still down 62-53. For TADEA Lions, poor free throws would cost them the period as they hit just 2 of 10 attempts.

In the fourth quarter Dixon, Bucci & Warriner were proving a great trio as they combined for 25pts which was all the quarter points bar two free throws from Thomson. The efforts of the trio were essential to counter the solo charge of Gachewicz who seemed to plough a lone furrow in this period as the fiery guard hit 14 straight points in the first five minutes. It would seem his only fault was his temperament as he made very few friends with either the opposition or referees. His constant bemoaning of calls was a shame as it took the shine of what was a great individual display.

A rare lay up from shooter; Ryon Dixon in the dying seconds would have been a nice way to round off a good win, however the impressive Adam Gardner, captain of the Raiders reduced the deficit to 12 with a big 3-pointer to beat the buzzer.

The MVP was awarded to Damian Warriner who impressed throughout, missing just one lay up and contributing 23pts. The top scorer was Bucci on 30pts while for Raiders Gachewicz and Gardner led the charge well with 28 & 15pts respectively.

TADEA Lions now enjoy a break before travelling to Durham Wildcats in the National Shield on the 26th September. The next home game is on Sunday 3rd October against Warrington Wolves.