Lions Halt Sonics Unbeaten Run With 18pt Victory! (From The Northern Echo)

Lions Halt Sonics Unbeaten Run With 18pt Victory!

12:25am Saturday 9th May 2009 in Teesside Basketball League

Local basketball in association with Game Time & Ravenwood Roofing in Middlesbrough & Teesside (01429 291793)

Middlesbrough Lions halted the high flying Sonics in a game full of excitement, action, athleticism and a few dunks for good measure! Sonics were in confident mood before the game with players predicting an easy win and this only fuelled the desire of Lions to put on a show. Lions were still without Dean Hanson, Andrew Marshall, Ben Robinson, Rob Bryson, Michael Wassell, Daniel Cooper and Neil Harrison but the recent performances of Acho Anyigbo and Tyrone Thomas have compensated somewhat and in one of the last games of the season the club are left looking back at a disappointing season having had the majority of squad injured but looking forward to next season.

The main threat for Sonics was identified early on and the quick firing Michael Thompson did not disappoint as he knocked down two 3 pointers in quick succession after Luke Thompson's opening drive. Sonics extended their lead in the third minute when Mark Finmore converted the lay up. The opening stages were a little shaky for Lions as Sonics good start continued but the huge athletic presence of Acho Anyigbo began to change the tide for Middlesbrough as the big man dominated the boards at both ends of the court, literally leaping over the opposition to claim the rebounds. Sonics had no real answer for Anyigbo with both Hall and McLaughlin being out muscled by the Nigerian. In the next two minutes Anyigbo inspired a 7-2 run Lions run to bring the visitors within a point, 10-09. At the mid way point of the quarter James Hall stepped up to hit a lay up and then went to the line for two free throws, both of which were converted. Lions though were only just warming up and responded with Alex Moore and James Burton both making strong drives. In the seventh minute Carl Colmer lined up a 3 pointer but the remaining three minutes of the first period witnessed Lions produce a 14-7 run to take a 6pt lead, 21-27. Lions could have further extended their lead with the previous shot from Thompson being called for a blocking foul although the dynamic guard failed to convert the And 1 play. The missed shot was pounced on by Anyigbo though sending the big man to the line but he would also miss his chance to extend and in the final seconds of the quarter Michael Thompson would throw up a shot and watch it sail into the net to reduce the Lions lead to 3pts, 24-27.

The second quarter was Lions best as they held the league leaders to only 8pts whilst hitting 18 themselves. The first points of this period came in the second minute after some good defence by both sides, Moore driving to the net for a graceful shot over McLaughlin. Moore is fast becoming recognised as one of the best players in the area and coupled with his impressive all round game is his ability to consistently convert even difficult shots. James Burton followed Moore with a solid drive himself leaving a concerned Sonics bench a little anxious. The fourth minute so more concern for Sonics as Lions continued to build a strong momentum as Luke Thompson danced through traffic to delicately place the ball into the hoop for a 9pt lead, 24-33. Anyigbo who by now had collected more rebounds than all other players combined produced a powerful lay up shortly after which was in stark contrast to the previous basket. Colmer broke the Lions run in the fourth minute but there was a sense of Middlesbrough control in the air and as the game approached half time Chris Leighton and Alex Moore ensured fortunes favoured the Lions as both guards took turns to mark Michael Thompson and limit his input to a cameo role as the free scoring guard failed to score in this period. The Middlesbrough defence was smothering with no Sonics player making more than one basket. Moore made the last three Lions baskets to enter half time 13 ahead, 32-45.

After the interval Tyrone Thomas, who had been inconsistent in the first half came to life with a weaving drive down the lane, although there was no time to relax, despite a 15pt lead. A strong second minute for Sonics brought a 6-0 run, there first consecutive baskets since the second minute of the first quarter. Lions' Thompson answered with a clever drive, but Sonics were gaining confidence and Finmore hit a 3 pointer shortly after to bring the hosts within 8pts. Thompson again replied, this time with a mid range jump shot but Sonics were not yet finished as McLaughlin made two baskets in a row and to top of this, Finmore claimed a lay up from a good pass by Hall. With the lead now down to 4pts, 47-51, Lions were facing the first threat since taking the lead in the seventh minute of the first quarter. On hand to ease the suspense was Anyigbo who continued to dominate the rebounds and the put backs as he converted two baskets followed by a composed Thomas drive. It would be a good quarter for McLaughlin as he hit a further 6pts, 14 of his 18 total were scored in this quarter. An altercation between Thomas and Sonics Finmore threatened to boil over and showed how important the game was to both sides. Thomas regained his composure which led to two big 3's from Thomas and Moore as well as a long range 2pts from Thompson ensuring a good finish for Lions who although lost the quarter, 23-20, were still in front by 10pts, 55-65 and displaying a strong togetherness.

In the final quarter Thomas, whose first half struggles were now a distant memory hit the first 7pts of the game including another big 3. Moore was fouled on the shot in the fourth minute by Mark winter and went to the line to hit both free throws, extending the Middlesbrough lead to 17, 56-74. Sonics only basket in the first five minutes was a single free throw from Sam Butterworth. At the mid way point of the period, Colmer took matters into his own hands with a 3 pointer and in the seventh minute Michael Thompson hit only his second basket since the first quarter after he slipped the net for a neat reverse lay up. Unfortunately for Sonics, it would be his last. There was a brief concern when Anyigbo turned his ankle and despite his desire to continue he was rewarded with a minutes rest before finishing the game. Thomas continued in Anyigbo's absence with a sweet And 1 play including the bonus and when Moore sailed by Hall for his 28th point of the night he took Lions to a 20pt advantage, 63-83. In the ninth minute, James Hall gathered pace as he attacked the Lions basket for an impressive dunk though not to be outdone, Luke Thompson finshed off the game with a two handed slam of his own, earning a well deserved win for the Lions.