... With Pride taking on the Lancaster Lions, who most recently played in the PSBL (Preston Summer Basketball League), finishing in a respectable 3rd position. Having had a full pre-season calendar the Lions were a team not to be underestimated. Pride once again were blooding new members of the team and shaking off some of the court rust from Summer.

The 1st quarter started with the Lions winning the tip, and showing that they have been training for a while by running some organised plays. Pride were working man to man defence, and doing a decent job of matching the cuts and screens. The Lions opened the scoring with a nicely worked move, with Pride going down the other end and responding immediately. The quarter ebbed and flowed with both teams trying to focus on running and executing the plays practiced in training, a couple of good looks were created by both sides, with Pride being sometimes half a step behind the screens. All things level at the end of the quarter.

The 2nd quarter started much the same as the first with both teams really trying to work on their offensive sets, with varying degrees of success. Pride were working well to create an open look against a high lined zone defence. However on some occasions rather than seeing the play through, the first open shot was often the one being taken. As the half time buzzer went Pride found themselves up by 3.

The 3rd quarter was a low scoring affair both teams as once again the emphasis was on running the plays. As expected this came with a lot of turnovers, as well as missed shots. Such a low scoring quarter meant that going to the 4th the scores were once again tied.

Following a much-needed pep-talk from Sam Fitzpatrick and Andy Thrower, Pride pushed the tempo and hustled more for everything, which saw an increase in offensive and defensive rebounds. Further work created bigger and better openings which Pride used to go on a late game tear of 20-8.

Another good win for Pride, against a team who have had significant pre-season training. While the game was scrappy in parts with both teams trying to refine their cutting edge in offence, defensively Pride held a good shape with Andy Thrower securing 8 rebounds.
The club would also like to take the chance to recognise the fantastic job and support that Neil Rowson has provide as coach for the Senior 2nd team. He has chosen to move his talents on to some of the younger teams and bring through the next wave of Pride junior players.

Scorers:
Park – 10
I Fitzpatrick – 7
S Fitzpatrick – 5
Livesey – 4
Thrower – 4
Fitzpatrick – 3
Vasquez – 2
Lyons – 2
Keshan - 2

Match Report: Tom Livesey

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