Reading Repeat As National Trophy Champions
 Reading
Rockets 84 (25,37,59)
Worthing Thunder 68 (16,34,57)
MVP - Andy Harper, 29 points, 3 rebounds
Reading Rockets coach Dave Titmuss was a delighted man as
his side retained the National Trophy with an 84-68 victory
against Worthing Thunder.
"I was really pleased with the way our guys focused in
training during the week in preparation for the Final, and
we pretty much executed our game plan to a tee. I think Worthing
is a very talented team and capable of beating anyone in Division
One by 15-plus points. We've lost to them twice this season
so this was a very satisfying victory and the first time we've
played them with all of our team available and recovered from
injuries." he said.
The teams went into the final break separated by just two
points, but it was a strong fourth period which ensured that
the Rockets recorded their second Trophy final victory against
the Thunder in as many years.
"To hold such a high scoring squad to just 11 points
in the fourth quarter while scoring 25 ourselves shows how
far our young team has come in understanding what needs to
be done when the game is on the line," said Titmuss.
"I think our recent improvements in rebounding, helping
each other on defence and playing without the ball were keys
to the result."
However the Rockets coach was refusing to get carried away
with the win, as his side aim for more silverware:
"This was an important win for us but it's over now,
the Trophy has been returned to the cabinet and it's time
to concentrate on the League and the Championship Playoffs."
"Our club has always subscribed to the idea that if what
you did yesterday still looks good today, then you haven't
done much today!"
Rockets’ American shooting guard Andy Harper collected
the MVP award, finishing with 29 points, three rebounds, two
steals and an assist.
The teams were tied at eight after three minutes before a
Harper basket sparked an 11-0 Rockets run which saw David
Watts chip in with seven points. The tear was broken by a
Dan Midgley basket, and Thunder scored eight of the next ten
points to cut Reading’s lead to 21-16 before a Watts
trey helped Rockets go into the first break with a 25-16 advantage.
Tom Sadler opened the second period scoring for Reading, but
Thunder fought back, and Cleve Woodfork started a run of 11
unanswered points which put the south coast team 33-31 ahead
going into the final two minutes of the half.
Sadler leveled the score with a basket, and four Harper points
ensured that Reading went into the half-time break 37-34 ahead.
The teams were tied at 38 after two second half minutes, but
a Rich Wellings trey helped Reading score seven unanswered
points and they remained in the lead - despite the ejection
of Danny Carter for an apparent head-butt on Danny Hildreth
- until the final two minutes of the third period when Demetrius
Scott scored to level the game at 52.
A James Mooney trey put Thunder back in the lead, but it was
that man Harper who drained a three to ensure that Rockets
went into the final break 59-57 ahead.
Sadler again opened the scoring in the fourth period and Rockets
never trailed again as they started with a 13-5 run. Scott
broke the run with a single free-throw, but the respite was
short lived for Thunder, as seven points from Harper helped
Reading wrap up the game and their second successive Trophy
triumph.
Watts finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Dan McKay
had 10 points and eight boards. Scott led the Thunder scoring
with 21 points and seven rebounds, with Mooney adding 20 and
Woodfork 10.
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