BASKETBALL: Thunder give leaders a fright before slipping to defeat

A basket from Adam Thomas meant the scores were level at 61-61 in the second minute of the final quarter, and although Sussex then went on a 12-2 scoring run, Thunder fought back to trail just 73-71.

The leaders then showed their composure to score five unanswered points to seal the win.

Jacob Holt top scored for Thunder with 15 points, with good support coming from Matt Yates and Tony Sarrio with 12 apiece, while Richard Higgins notched 10.

Northants Thunder 73 Coventry Tornadoes 59

AFTER several recent narrow losses, Thunder were relieved to pick up a Junior Men’s Midlands Conference win against a determined Coventry.

Thunder led 21-17 after the first quarter, and by half-time they had strethed their advantage to 41-30.

The final two quarters were evenly balanced, and Thunder eased to victory.

Thunder’s leading scorer was David Nieva with 25 points, with good support coming from Jake Nailer, Ayo Oluyede and Ed Taylan.

Leicester Riders 61 Northants Thunder 72

THUNDER followed up their recent National Cup win over Leicester with a more comfortable Under 16 Boys Midlands Conference win over the same opposition.

Indeed, the final score makes the contest look tighter than it was, as Thunder actuaally went into the final period with a commanding 59-38 lead.

Chris Amankonah and Josh Lloyd scored 30 and 27 points respectively, with Ed Wallhead adding good support with 10 points.

This Sunday Thunder take on City of Birmingham in the fourth round of the National Cup.

Northants Thunder 62 Worcester Wolves 52

THUNDER were glad to be back at the Northants Basketball Centre after three successive away games, and they enjoyed a good victory over Worcester Wolves in the Under 14 Boys East Midlands II Conference.

They went into the game without the services of top scorer Jonathan Ntumba and guard Henri Berry, who was unable to play due to injury.

Wolves started well and lef 21-19 after the first quarter, but Thunder then turned on the style to lead 39-27 at half-time.

They went further ahead at 50-28, but Wolves hit back and closed the gap, but Thunder saw the game out.

Ashley Kitchen and Ally Solazzo scored 23 and 17 points respectively, and Patrick Adedeji landed 16.

In the Northants Hoopsterz Central Venue League, the honours were taken by NEBC Titans I, with Lightning’s first and second teams having to settle for second and third respectively.

The Northants Under 14 girls coach, Janis Kosnikovskis was able to give all the girls in his squad an opportunity to play in this tournament, and several of them gave a good account of themselves in the shortened game format.

The big downside was an injury to Dina Kosnikovskis who was poked in the eye while making a lay up in her team’s first game.

The games were played at a fast pace, and Chloe Stevens showed she was able to get free ahead of the ball on the fast break while defensively Sade Chambers was impressive.

Athena Thompson, who is just nine, hustled well and Lucy Needham showed her class with some strong drives to basket.

Final table: 1st - NEBC Titans I; 2nd - Northants Lightning I; 3rd - Northants Lightning II; 4th - NEBC Titans II

The Club also participated in the Under 11 and Under 9 tournaments.

Fixtures

Saturday, November 19

9.30– 11am: Junior Ballers Session; 11.30am: Under 14 Boys versus Shropshire Warriors; 1.30pm: Junior Men versus West Bromwich Albion; 3.30pm: Senior Men versus Southwark Pride

These games will be played at the Basketball Centre which is situated at Northampton School for Girls on Spinney Hill Road, Northampton

10am – 1pm: Boys Central Venue League at Northampton School for Boys

Sunday, Novemeber 20

11.30am: Cadet Boys versus City Of Birmingham (National Cup Round 4 - at the Basketball Centre)