Thunder not at their best but hold nerve to sink Dynamite and maintain 100 per cent start
Northants Thunder maintained their 100 per cent start to the Under-18 Boys’ Midlands III Conference season with a hard-fought 61-55 win at Leicester Dynamite.
Thunder have been in superb form so far this season, but weren’t at their best as they were made to work to the end by a determined Dynamite.
Thunder were 19-8 down at the end of the first quarter, and were still 32-29 behind at half-time.
A big effort was needed in the second half and it came as Thunder won the third 20-8 to lead going into the final quarter.
Things were still tight though until a Soloman Esekhaigbe free throw calmed the Thunder nerves and sealed the win.
The scoring was led by Lukas Aleksa-Turney with important contributions coming from Roman Dowd, Jacob Pietro Scott and Esekhaigbe.
In the U16 Boys Midlands II Conference, Thunder Maroon lost their unbeaten record as they went down 78-60 at fellow high-flyers Warwickshire Warriors.
Thunder were 40-24 down by half-time and although they fought hard, they couldn’t get back into the game. Sam Dominici led the scoring with support coming from Adrian Curikovs and Dominykas Jokulis.
In the U16 Boys Midlands III Conference, Thunder Gold have yet to win this season after they were well beaten 82-22 at league leaders Leicester Warriors.
Thunder battled hard but lost all four quarters despite 13 points from Samy Hamouche Chilea.
In the U15 Girls’ YBL All-Girls Division, Northants Lightning cruised to a 78-34 win at Bedford Thunder.
It was an impressive performance, with all 10 players getting on the scoresheet, and Lightning stay second in the table.
In the U14 Girls’ Premier League, Northants Lightning suffered a heartbreaking narrow 70-65 defeat at Bristol Flyers.
Lightning were 37-30 down at half-time, but hung in there and with time running out closed to within just two points, at 67-65 but Bristol held their nerve to see the game out.
Urt Maldutyte led the scoring and she was backed up by ; Everly Burton, Tarebi Egbegi, Jeslyn Nimfah and Amelia Riley.
In the U12 Mixed League Region 1, Northants Thunder lost 55-48 at Sheffield Sharks Blue.
Trailing 36-21 at half-time, Thunder wonthe third quarter 16-6 to give themselves a chance, but the home side kept their noses in front.
Thunder’s scoring was led by Ashley Harrison-Brown, with all nine players netting.