Manchester Win League Title Despite Final Loss
Manchester Magic won the EBL Division One title for the
first time despite losing 91-89 at rivals Reading Rockets
on Sunday.
Having lost 98-91 in Manchester in November, the home side
needed a seven point victory, and for long stretches of the
game that looked feasible. The hosts led 31-23 at the first
break, and maintained that eight point advantage going into
the locker room after sharing 30 second period points.
A strong third period saw Reading extend their lead to 67-57,
and with seven minutes remaining they were 14 ahead. At that
point Andre Rankine stepped up, along with Steven Gayle and
Patrick Dwyer hitting some big shots, to cut the lead to eight
going into the final two minutes before scoring the final
six points of the game to wrap up the title.
Juniors Danny Carter and Dan McKay led Rockets with 20 and
18 respectively, with David Watts also adding 18. Gayle led
Magic with 20, while Dwyer and Rankine each scored 17.
Magic coach Jeff Jones admitted it was a strange feeling to
have lost the game, but win the league:
"It was so weird to celebrate a loss. I found it hard,
and it took a while to sink in. it was ugly at times, I wouldn’t
say anyone played great basketball in the first half, but
Reading had a great patch in the third period where they shot
the ball well, and we were out of sync.
"We had our run at the end of the game, and it proved
enough. We found a unit that worked for the last seven minutes
and we clicked. I’m sure fatigue came into it, but we’ve
been doing that all season when we’ve broken game open.
"I’ve been fortunate that I have 12 guys who can
play. Someone like Duncan Ogilvie has been great for us this
season. It wasn’t one of his best games on Sunday, but
he was still into it. Sometimes it’s been someone else’s
turn to win, but they’ve all bought into it, and no
one has caused a problem."
Despite the disappointment of seeing his side piped to the
championship, Rockets coach Dave Titmuss had praise for both
sides:
"I thought we put out a tremendous effort and played
with great heart, but by the fourth quarter their depth just
wore us down; they had too many guns for us. I think the 'bench
scoring' stat tells the story - they had 38 points off the
bench, we had 22. They also hit five challenged three's in
the last quarter which didn't hurt them either!
"We were pleased to have won the game which was a great
advert for EBL basketball and was played in a competitive
but sporting spirit in front of an appreciative crowd. And
we are delighted that we finish with the same league record
as Manchester,with only two losses all year.
"It's a great pity that we lost by seven to them at their
place earlier in the year when we only had six fit guys and,
especially, were without Andy Harper and Rich Wellings. But
that's the way it goes sometimes.
"Our kids, Danny Carter and Dan McKay were outstanding,
they had 20 points and 8 rebounds, and 18 points and 5 assists
respectively and were our leading scorers; we also had three
other guys in double figures which is a testament to our unselfish
team play.
"I think Manchester and Jeff Jones are worthy league
winners and I congratulate them not only for taking the title
but also for the tremendous development work that they do
as a club.
"I have no doubt that we'll bounce back this week; we've
got to learn what we can from the Manchester game and get
ready to play Sheffield in the quarter-finals of the playoffs."
The previous day had seen Jones able to rest most of his starters
as his role players took a starring role in the 109-57 demolition
of Coventry Crusaders.
Magic enjoyed their largest league win at home this season
as they obliterated the Crusaders in a game which was over
as a contest after the first quarter, going into the first
break with a 28-10 lead, which was increased to 58-18 at half-time.
The Magic completed a clean sweep of home victories in the
league winning all 9 of their games by an average of 32 points
and have done so with solid outside shooting and a bench which
is stacked with players who would start on most of the other
teams in the league.
The Magic reserves outscored their Coventry counterparts 68-9
with up and coming point guard Liam Johnson coming off the
bench to score a season high nine points in 13 minutes of
action.
The Crusaders took a 10 – 8 lead in the opening minutes
on a Simon Payne layup but that was the last lead they would
have as the Magic reeled off 27 unanswered points and took
an insurmountable 35 – 12 lead early in the second period.
The Magic were in simply irresistible form as they swamped
their opponents in the backcourt forcing 22 turnovers, which
they repeatedly turned into layups and uncontested jumpers.
The Magic scored over 100 points for the 7th time in the league
this season reaching the century mark with a layup by Andre
Rankine who poured in 13 points while playing a team high
22 minutes. The home team also won the battle on the boards
as they snagged 45 rebounds to the visiting side’s 25
as five players grabbed five or more rebounds.
Duncan Ogilvie led Magic with 16, with Andrew Mackay adding
14 and Rankine 13. Crusaders were led by 23 points from Ryan
Luethy, with Wes Hall the only other Coventry player in double
figures with 13. Scott Neely’s Crusaders were without
two of their most potent scorers in Ben Clarke (transfer)
and Keith Sudler (injury) and they struggled to get open looks
at the basket which resulted in the team making less than
30% of their attempts.
Rockets also had a comfortable victory on Saturday as they
completed a miserable campaign for College of West Anglia
Fury with a 109-52 hammering.
Reading coach Titmuss was able to use his younger players
for much of the game, with Jason Sayers leading the Rockets
for the first time with 22 points. Andy Harper added 19 with
England junior Adam THoseby chipping in with 15. Osemwegie
Eboige led Fury with 17, while Chris Bevin was the only other
visiting player in double figures with 11.
The home side led 33-8 at the first break, and the game was
effectively over by half-time as Fury trailed 62-23.
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