Lions Go Top of TBL

1:18pm Sunday 20th April 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Teesside Baksetball in associtaion with Game Time Basketball Parties and Decorative Concrete Solutions

Tees United Lions 103-88 Hartlepool Hornets
TU Lions are in first place in TBL Division 1 after beating the Hartlepool Hornets in their final game of the season. Lions led from the start with a 9-0 run and finished off winners by 15pts. Lions are now hoping that Hornets can beat Ormesby Tigers and Hartlepool Heat which will leave a four way tie for first place. The formula to decide the eventual winner is still to be confirmed but Lions are hoping their good goal difference will keep them number one!

Hartlepool Hornets struggled at the start as Lions generated a 9-0 run, instigated by a 3 pointer from James Burton and finished by a nice jump shot from Hayden Patterson. The run was broken by Hornets' main threat; Lee Norton who made a nice reverse lay up and followed this with a 3 pointer. Patterson replied for Lions with another long range shot and in the sixth minute Lions were showing their dominance with Steve Butler and Burton heading to the line to convert two free throw each. Butler then made a fast break from a great pass by Andrew Marshall to extend the lead to 17-5.

With just over two minutes left in the first quarter, Lee Norton found his shot and in doing so nailed three big 3 pointers. Carlos Alemanno wedged in a strong move to the basket to bring the scores to 19-14, Lions still in the lead but careful of Norton's talent for scoring. In the final minute Lions provided some breathing space as Andrew Marshall spun to the basket and Butler added two late 3 pointers to end the first period up 13, 27-14.

The second quarter started lively as Alemanno found the net for Lions and then followed up with a round the back and reverse lay up from the big Argentinean. In between this Hornets began with a spring in their step as Tyrone Thomas drove to the basket, followed by Norton and Mike James adding a basket apiece. In the fourth minute Richy Keirl made 1 of 2 free throws and up again stepped Norton to to bring the game within 6 points, 31-25. Hornets 9-4 run showed they had the ability to produce the goods although Norton had hit 18 of those 25 and was the only player marking the sheet with any conviction.

Butler hit an And 1 play in the fifth minute while Alemanno and Burton also had opportunities for And 1's later in the quarter but failed to convert their free throws. A more pressing concern for Hornets was their foul trouble, especially with only 6 players. A good finish to the quarter by Mike James and the final basket of the half by Jonny Osborne for Hornets ensured they left the court with hope, although they were still down 8 points, 44-36.

After half time Lions Butler made another And 1 play as Mike James fouled on the shot. James Burton was also showing good form as he drove to the basket to make a strong lay up and in the next play produced a similar move but was this time fouled. The cool shot of Burton though made both free throws to take the scores to 51-40. With Norton taking a break from scoring duties, Thomas took on the mantle as he weaved his way through Lions defence to score Hornets first 6 points. Although Lions main focus was on stopping Norton, they could not forget that Hornets had other players of worth, especially Thomas and the inside play of Mike James.

Andrew Marshall was creating a nuisance of himself at both ends of the court for Lions as he and Alemanno both pounded the rebounds and ran the floor. Marshall was showing himself at his determined best and was relishing his opportunities on offence. In the seventh minute James made two jump shots from inside the key, a trade mark position of his.

Lions' Stuart Davison then stepped up to bury three shots in a row to take Lions to 65 points, 14 ahead of their rivals. Lions 3-2 defence, with three guards at the top and the big pairing of Alemanno and Marshall at the back was working well and managed to minimise Norton's threat to just 5 points in this quarter. Thomas was the man of the moment for Hornets with 7 points in this period. The score at the end of the third was 70-56 to Lions.

The Hornets were still a dangerous team, even in foul trouble and down 14 and as the final period got under way Osborne and Keirl fired in three pointers to bring them within 10 points. Butler responded and Marshall continued with his low post moves to ensure Lions noses were still in front. In the fourth minute Alemanno and Burton both went to the line to convert And 1 plays. Burton converted his and this foul also meant the fourth personal for Bruce Marshall.

Lions continued their scoring as Marshall and Alemanno combined for 19 points including a huge 3 pointer from 6'10" Marshall to a rapturous applause from the home crowd. In the ninth minute Mike James was fouled out for Hornets and with Marshall and Keirl walking a tight rope on four fouls, the last minute of the game would be a long one. Tyrone Thomas continued his heroics of the third quarter adding 12 in the fourth to take the away teams score to 88, a good score considering only six players, unfortunately for Hornets, Lions were 15 ahead on 103.

The MVP was a three way choice between Butler, Marshall and Alemanno. Alemanno has been the catalyst of each one of Lions victories this season. His rebounding and determination are second to none and is an infectious advantage for the Lions team. Marshall contained his emotions in the first half which were in danger of boiling over. He began to concentrate on the positives and his encouragement of team mates brought some new confidence to the Lions. His rebounding and scoring in this game was more than worthy of the MVP and finally Steve Butler was active in every department, scoring big points at crucial stages of the game.

With three players producing such vital contributions and also not forgetting the 17 point haul of James Burton, this MVP award was the most difficult of the season, however the award was given to Carlos Alemanno whose determination, passing and scoring was a crucial element in the victory. Taking into account the fact he played the second half on four fouls aided the decision.

The Lions are now top of TBL Division One after winning this, their final game of the season. They will hope to stay their and be crowned champions if other results go their way.

Game MVP: Carlos Alemanno, Lions

Top Scorers
Lions: Butler 27, Alemanno 22, Marshall 21, Burton 17, Davison 6, Patterson 5, Thomson 5

Hornets: Norton 32, Thomas 21, James 14, Osborne 12, Keirl 8, Marshall 1