Lions Gain Sweet Revenge!

12:01pm Friday 11th April 2008

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Lions travelled to Hartlepool to play the Heat in a crucial league fixture for both sides. A win for Heat would take them a step closer to challenging Ormesby Tigers Championship bid while a win for Lions would keep alive their chase for 2nd place. It is still mathematically possible for Heat, Tigers or Lions to win the league with the season climax involving all three teams to play Hartlepool Hornets.

Heat had a full team on display for the big game, while Lions welcomed back their big man, Carlos Alemanno, who was absent from their previous encounter and provided a huge presence on defence. As the game tipped off, Lions won the jump ball via an athletic leap from Andrew Marshall who found James Burton for the first 2pts of the game. Heat quickly responded with Adam Turner, back from an ankle injury, making a baseline drive to tie the game.

The two previous games against Heat had seen the Hartlepool side shoot well from outside at the beginning of the game and to dilute this threat Lions started with a man to man which worked well as the home team failed to connect any 3 pointers in the first quarter. Their fast breaks though were a constant threat with Sean McKenzie and Adam Turner running the lanes well. Turner hit 6 straight points in the fourth minute to give the Heat a 12-5 lead.

Defence was the key for Lions revival however, especially the twin towers of 6'10" pairing, Marshall and Alemanno who dominated the rebounds. Lions were struggling to find their rhythm with far too many turnovers but they were never out of the game which provided a sense of relief that things would only get better.

The last four minutes of the first period were a tale of two runs as Lions produced a 6-0 run through a huge rebound and put back from Marshall, a lay up from Butler and two free throws from Alemanno to bring the scores to 14-11. Heat then generated their own spree as in an almost repeat, Graeme Errington pulled down a big rebound and was successful with the put back. Carl Colmer and Luke Musgrave then hit another 2pts apiece to effectively cancel out the Lions run. In the final minute Butler and Alemanno combined to reduce the Heat's lead to 5pts at the end of the first quarter, 20-15.

At the start of the second period, Graham Ord went to the line for Heat after being fouled on the shot and made 1 of 2 attempts. Lions were now gaining some momentum, aided by 5-0 run to bring them within 1pt, 21-20. In the fourth minute Ian Barrow took over for Heat, adding 4pts although this was not enough to tame the Lions as Butler stepped up with a long range 2 and then a 3 pointer to tie the game 25-25. Heat replied with a 3 pointer but Lions momentum carried forward as they took a 28-30 lead through another huge rebound and put back from the hard working Marshall after great work and 3pts from Alemanno.

The excitement was for from over however as Heat's Errington made 2 free throws to take a 1pt lead, followed by the athletic skills of Adam Turner who connected a sailing shot from off the backboard to bring the score line to 33-30. At the end of the half, a further two baskets from the home side provided a healthy 6pt lead for Hartlepool, 37-31.

The third quarter decided the game as Lions made a good start with Burton hitting a free throw and Alemanno powering his way to the hoop to bring the visitors within 3pts. Hartlepool though were ever dangerous, especially with the superb play of Turner, who is fast becoming one of the best players in the league. Turner and Barrow made two quick fast breaks to improve their cushion.

In the fifth minute Heat were leading 47-42 but this was the turning point of the game as Lions worked James Burton open to knock down two successive 3 pointers to take a 1pt lead. Barrow made another lay up for Heat but again Burton fired in a 3 pointer to regain the lead, 49-51. Another 3pt play was converted by Thomson shortly after through an And 1 move and Lions were now beginning to hold on to their lead, something they had failed to do in the first half. At the end of the third, Lions were now leading by 4pts, 58-62.

The belief of winning the game was now turning to reality for Lions and their crushing 17-0 start gave Lions a 20pt lead with Butler adding 11pts while Burton knocked down another two 3 pointers. Adam Turner halted the run in the sixth minute but was fouled out shortly after and although Colmer added a late 5pts, Lions held on to the ball well as the clock ran down to earn a 14pt victory, 69-83.

Game MVP: James Burton, TU Lions

Top Scorers
Heat: Turner 18, Barrow 17, Colmer 14, Robinson 9, Errington 4, Musgrave 4, McKenzie 2, Ord 1
Lions: Butler 26, Burton 22, Alemanno 20, Marshall 10, Thomson 5

Ironically, Heat still moved into first place despite losing to Lions. Heat and Tigers are tied on 17pts while Lions are in third place with 15pts. The title race will go to the wire with Lions holding a superior goal difference but will still need to beat Hornets next Friday at Blakeston and hope that the Hornets can beat both Heat and Tigers. Lions are anticipating a big attendance for their final game of the season at Blakeston School, Stockton, 7.30pm tip off.

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