Hornets: 106

Chorlton: 68

Hornets post their top score of the season so far!

Hornets have a range of talent on their team and all players are capable of scoring - but it’s rare that everyone plays to the top of their game in any one particular match. When it happens it’s brilliant to watch. How many coaches can say “my bench players scored 60 points today”? When they do they will nearly always say ” … and we won easily”

Tom Lee started the scoring with a well worked 3 pointer and the game was tight and low scoring for the first 5 minutes. Chorlton holding a narrow lead. Barney and Guy found room inside scoring off their own rebounds and with short drives. The Chorlton defence narrowed to counter this and the long shooters took advantage. Zander Fyfe, Andy Rushton and Danny Wareham all sank 3 pointers. Andy Sienkiewicz had announced himself too with a power play for 2. Hornets had already opened a 13 point lead.

Chorlton  weren’t ready to throw in the towel though and forced their way back into the game with some powerful individual efforts and well worked fast breaks. Danny scored 3 from the line but baskets had dried for the Hornets. Kris Wood ran in a superb “teardrop” but the Hornet defence was leaking badly. Chorlton scored a run of 6 unanswered and then landed a couple of 3 pointers. Tush went on the rampage scoring 15 points in 6 minutes. Sam Bithell drove all the way to the basket but the defence looked poor and the lead was down to 5 at the break.

Hornets switched to a zone defence and this dried up the Chorlton scoring while the rampage was still happening at the other end. Guy and Barney again showed how effective big aggressive rebounding can be and Tom and Kris sank well work jump shots. Barney was unstoppable in taking 10 points this quarter and John Whelan finished the quarter’s scoring with a fine jump shot. Hornets now had a 15 point lead and needed 28 points to break the magical 100 points.

Hornets went for it - scoring 13 unanswered points in 3 minutes. Zander dished off two brilliant assists before taking some for himself. Tush scored off fast breaks and Jump Shots and Andy cleaned up any scraps close in. John and Danny both added to Chorlton’s pain and the 100 drew closer. Hornets now made a 5 man change and the players coming on had a point to prove. Defensive intensity was upped and steals lead to break away baskets for both Kris and Barney. Fittingly the 100 points came from Tom, finishing as he started with a 3. Sam and Guy finished the scoring with the Hornets showing they are capable of achieving what they have threatened all year.

Top Scorer - Tush  31 Points
Played Out of their skin - Tush - awesome scoring machine and perfect from the line. Barney - cleaned the boards at both ends and great finishing (But all 10 players could have been nominated tonight)
Best Basket - Tush drives into the heart of the defence sucks 3 defenders to him and then dishes off to Andy to finish with an and 1
Must Improve -  Q2 defence let in 28 points - not enough help going on.