Reading Record Two Weekend Wins
 Reading
Rockets kept up their push for the EBL Division One title
with a pair of contrasting victories, leaving coach Dave Titmuss
a happy man:
"We knew we were in for a tough weekend against Leopards
and Derby who are two much improved teams from the early part
of the season. We also had to contend with the fact that both
opponents were very different in their approach and so we
had to find a way to prepare to beat their contrasting styles.
"My major concern was that Tin Tin Watts, who regularly
has 20-point plus games for us and at 6' 9 is one of our best
perimeter defenders, was sick and hadn't practiced all week.
He gave us some minutes in both games but his overall production
rating was way down.
"Fortunately Andy Harper helped make up the scoring with
a big game against Leopards; young Dan McKay was outstanding
against Derby scoring 24 points, dishing seven assists and
leading the team from the back-court in his most mature performance
to date; and Rich Wellings continued his run of good form
with a consummate performance at both ends of the court.
"Against Leopards, we were ahead but it was close in
the fourth quarter until a spate of technical fouls against
them put us on the line to close the game out. I think both
benches were very frustrated throughout the game and, personally,
I'm much more satisfied when skill is the deciding factor
in a contest.
"Derby is very well coached and I liked their game plan
against us but we were still able to win with defence and
good shot selection."
A controversial end to Saturday’s game at Wodson Park
saw London Leopards’ hopes of a surprise victory end
in a rash of technical fouls as the visitors ran out 93-81
winners.
The Big Cats trailed by only three with 51 seconds remaining
when centre Errol Seaman was called for an unsportsmanlike
foul on Danny Carter. Seaman also collected a technical foul
after exchanging words with Carter, and Roger Lloyd also picked
up a T from the bench for arguing about the decision, and
with Rockets converting five of the resulting six free-throws,
the game was effectively over.
The dramatic end to the game spoilt a comeback from the Leopards
who had trailed by 12 during the first half, but recovered
to take the lead two minutes into the final quarter.
Gareth Laws again led the Big Cats, draining 30 points, while
Seaman added 15 and Carl Latham-Henry chipped in with 14.
Andy Harper led all scorers with 28, while Dan Carter and
Rich Wellings each scored 22.
Seaman opened the scoring for Jon Burnell’s side, and
went on to add four more points during the first seven minutes
as seven points from Laws helped Leopards into a 17-14 lead.
However, Reading then grabbed control of the game with ten
unanswered points, and despite Matt Eames breaking the run
with a free-throw, a Carter shot ended the period with Rockets
26-18 ahead.
Latham-Henry opened the second quarter scoring, and three-point
plays from Seaman and Sam Salter took the deficit down to
four before a 7-0 run capped by Richard Wellings’ trey
put Reading 35-26 ahead.
Seaman broke the run, but another three-pointer from Wellings
help Rockets extend their lead to 40-28. The teams exchanged
baskets for the rest of the half, with Adeleke proving Leopards’
main offensive weapon with six points as the Big Cats reached
half-time trailing 50-39.
The second half proved to be a different story as Laws opened
with three treys in as many minutes as Rockets’ lead
was trimmed to 54-50 forcing a Reading time-out. The move
worked, with five unanswered points, but with Laws adding
another seven points the Rockets lead was cut to 65-62 going
into the final break.
Laws opened the fourth period with a three-point play to tie
the score for the first time since the opening minute, and
a Latham-Henry free throw gave them the lead before the same
player made it 68-65 with a drive to the basket.
The visitors replied with seven unanswered points, including
five from Carter, to regain the lead before three points from
Latham-Henry ended the tear. Another Wellings trey kept Reading
ahead, but scores from Seaman and Latham-Henry meant the home
side remained within five points.
A pair of Andy Harper free-throws saw Rockets open an 84-75
lead with two minutes remaining but scores from Adeleke and
Latham-Henry cut the margin to five.
A defensive stop saw Laws score from a fast-break and Leopards
stole the ball to give themselves a chance to tie the game.
However, they turned the ball over, and as Carter went to
the basket, Seaman’s foul was judged to be unsportsmanlike
– with the technicals that followed allowing them to
wrap up the game from foul line.
Sunday saw Rockets ease into second place in the table with
just three games to go with a businesslike 78-59 victory over
a well organised Derby Trailblazers at Rivermead.
Rockets' three graduates from their junior programme outshone
the usual senior stars with Dan McKay having an outstandingn
night on 24 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds whilst Danny
Carter hit 14 points and had 7 rebounds, and Simon 'Spud'
Kearney hit three from behind the arc in his personal tally
of 13.
Rockets are away next weekend but finish with a double header
home weekend on 29/30 March.
Rockets led 17-14 at the first break, but pulled away in the
second period to go into the locker room 39-24 ahead. That
lead was extended to 57-38 with an 18-14 third period before
the sides shared 38 final quarter points.
Rob Stockwell led Derby with 21, while Simon Spencer was the
only other Trailblazer in double figures with 12.
Images - D.Wearn
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