BASKETBALL: Wallhead leads the way in Thunder win over Warriors

Northants Thunder reignited their Under 16 National League play-off hopes with a record win over the previously unbeaten Leicester Warriors.
Molly OLeary in action for Titans against Manchester MysticsMolly OLeary in action for Titans against Manchester Mystics
Molly OLeary in action for Titans against Manchester Mystics

The victory came on the back of quality performances from Chris Amankonah, Josh Lloyd and Ed Wallhead but team coach John Collins was quick to point to the tireless defensive work of the seven other players in the team, which included Conference debutants Mark Grey and Luke Halls.

The Thunder scoring was led by Wallhead, with 25 points. Amankonah and Lloyd added excellent support, with 17 and 19 points respectively .

Brentwood Fire 42 Northants Lightning 33

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After their confidence-boosting win over Ipswich the previous week, Lightning travelled to take on mid-table Brentwood Fire in the Under-14 Girls National League.

They returned having suffered a narrow defeat following a physical encounter.

Lucy Needham top scored with 19 points, Dina Kosnikovska battled through a lot of very physical defence to score 10 points, while Sade Chambers and Niamh Saysell rebounded well.

Worcester Bears 83 Northants Thunder 67

Thunder faced East Midlands II Conference leaders Worcester Bears, who were yet to lose in the league.

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And Worcester were to continue that impressive run as they produced a big final quarter.

Jonathan Ntumba led Thunder scoring with an impressive 34 points, 26 of those coming in the first half.

He was well supported by Ashley Kitchen and Patrick Adedeji, with nine and eight points respectively.

Leicester Warriors 96 Northants Thunder 62

THUNDER took on Junior Men’s Midlands Conference leaders Leicester Warriors at Gateway College last Sunday and came out of the contest a poor second.

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In the heavy defeat, David Nieva posted an impressive 21 points, supported by Ayo Oluyede’s 17.

Jazz Campbell and Matt Major chipped in with nine and seven points respectively.

Northants Thunder 79 Oxford Brookes 83

When Matt Yates converted a lay up in the sixth minute of the third quarter, Thunder found themselves 13 points up against local rivals Oxford Brookes.

But Oxford proceeded to outscore Thunder over the next 14 minutes to win it.

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For Thunder, Yates top scored with 28 points and he received good support from Richard Higgins, Jacob Holt, and Adam Thomas, who all scored in double figures.

Northamptonshire Titans 54 Shropshire Warriors 33

Titans secured a good NBL Under 14 Boys Midlands II Conference League victory.

Manchester Giants 60 Northamptonshire Titans 73

Titans overcame a slow start to earn a victory that showed why they will be NBL Under 16 Boys Northern Premier play-off contenders.

Ben Nailer top scored with 18 points, while Jude Carmichael grabbed 15 and Tiawo Hamilton 10.

Manchester Mystics 55 Northamptonshire Titans 28

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Titans made the journey to unbeaten Manchester Mystics and were beaten in the NBL Under 16 Girls Northern Premier match.

Northamptonshire Titans 74 Nottingham Junior Hoods 81

HAYDEN ALCINDOR scored 23 points, but Titans were beaten in the Under 18 Men Midlands Conference.

Keenan Salmon (18) and Tommy Tomkins (12) also impressed.

University of Nottingham 84 Northamptonshire Titans 43

A short-handed NEBC Titans Women’s team were beaten by the NBL Division Two title favourites Nottingham University.

Sascha Thompson scored an impressive 20 points, but it wasn’t to be enough.

Northants Basketball Club Fixtures

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Saturday, December 10: 9.30am-11am: Junior Ballers Session; 11.30am: Under 14 Boys versus Ilkeston Outlaws, Under 14 Girls versus NEBC Titans; 2pm: Junior Men versus Leicester Dynamite (these games will be played at the Basketball Centre which is situated at Northampton School for Girls I Spinney Hill Road, Northampton); Senior Men travel to Brunel University Ducks, Under 16 Boys travel to Rutland Thunders