Basketball: Thunder whip up a storm to wallop Warriors

University of Chi Thunder 98 London Feltham Warriors 39

National division four south

Thunder secured their first win of the season when they welcomed London Feltham Warriors to the Bishop Otter Campus.

Two early long-range jumpers from Marshall set the tone for Thunder before Harriet reduced the arrears with a triple – but Nyathi, driving to the basket, and Oram, dominating the offensive boards, ensured a commanding 16-8 lead at the end of the opening stanza.

Early triples from Edwards and Johnson saw Thunder stretch their lead. Bezuidenhout was providing the Warriors main threat offensively but with a limited bench Fleming and Nyathi punished a tiring opposition. Fleming scored eight points in the quarter as Thunder dominated, taking a 45-17 lead into the break.

Gear, off the bench, continued the onslaught with some regulation lay-ups. Slick ball movement ensured easy shots inside with Johnson and Nyathi benefiting.

The second half was one-sided as Thunder chalked up 36 points in the final stanza, Fleming picking up ten points mainly from turnovers as the dejected Warriors continued to make tired mistakes.

Top scorers were Johnson (Thunder, 24 points) and Bezuidenhout (Warriors, 18).

Team secretary Sid Fletcher said: “It was a great team performance full of intensity and purpose, and at times ruthless, as the Warriors tired. Four players scoring double digits showed what a team effort it was, and it’s good to secure that elusive win at last.”

THUNDER: Johnson 24, Nyathi 18, Fleming 17, Marshall 12, Stanley 6, Oram 6, Gear 6, Edwards 3, Corbin 2, Coxon 2, Phillips.

Bognor Pirates 89 Brighton Runnin Rebels 62

Sussex League

Bognor kept up their perfect Sussex League home record with a full squad and in front of a good crowd.

The first quarter started fairly even with Robbins securing some lay-ins and Wilson finding his shooting rhythm.

Fagon and Kassamani for the Rebels were too quick for the Pirates but they led 18-11 after the first.

In the second Pirates played some elegant basketball. Numerous scores came from tactile team movement. Their defence had steadied too and they ended the second 43-31 up.

In the third the Pirates looked to step up and finish off the game in dominating fashion, but Brighton fought back to make it hard for Pirates to pull away. McLaren stayed composed hitting his foul shots and the Pirates looked inside to Lowe and Attfield to finish some well-created scores. Hardyman was on point in the guard position providing solid passing and giving opportunities for Pirates to score at the rim and go 64-49 in front.

The Pirates tested their offensive system under pressure. It proved a success with Brighton crumbling under the Pirates’ defence and strong finishing at the hoop.

No timeouts were needed by coach Robbins as the team’s shape and movement was evolving on court. It was a case of closing out with defence to secure the victory and Ottley hit some nice passes underneath to see Pirates earning a fourth consecutive home victory in Sussex League.

PIRATES: McLaren 24, Lowe 16, Robbins M 15, Barnes 7, Morgan 7, Wilson W 6, Attfield 4, Harydman 2, Robbins A 2, Ottley 2, Wilson K 2, Pleskys 2.