Check out the extended video on the Preston Pitchero VIDEO section , and soak in the in game sound with the joy of celebration at the end, Shorter version is on my Instagram, @coachgrahamuk

We had a double header this weekend, loosing at home to Manchester Swarm on Saturday, but then the challenge of going away to Manchester Magic on the Sunday.

I’d had enough of loosing and so had the team; we have been doing things well but missed that winning and fighter mental attitude.
We arrived at Manchester Basketball Centre, and it was full of other Manchester and GB under 16 teams playing on the other 2 courts. I was concerned the atmosphere, large crowd, drum bangers, vu vu zaler players would be intimidating for our team. I was wrong, I could tell before tip off they had the hunger, the desire and belief to win.

We had never started a game so fast and so well. Everything was dropping, but it was for Magic too! We went out winning quarter 1, 25 – 31. We have NEVER scored that much in a quarter.

Q2 Magic weren’t going anywhere. That team is used to winning. They fought back and we ended up loosing it, but still in the game. It was 22-17 to them, leaving the half time score at 47 – 48 to us.
The 10 minute half time team talk, I had nothing to do, apart from encourage them to do the same again and have clock management. The pace of the game was unreal.

Q3 was tied 18-18.

Q4 came along. With 3 minutes to go the scoreboard had us up by 2. Refs stopped the game said it was wrong and the score sheet had us down by 1! I’d never experienced this so late in the game, a thump in the stomach, but it didn’t phase us. We had the mentality they were all ou to get us and make us loose. We kept our cool and very soon after it go Ice Cold in the building with Tom Holden draining a 3.
16 seconds left and the game is tied, JJ drives to the basket, misses but gets fouled.
At this point all other games had finished, 30 other kids from Magic Teams surround the court, the baseline and are booing making noise intimating Preston to miss the clutch free throws.
JJ misses the 1st. Resets, goes through his free throw routine, and drops the 2nd. The atmosphere dropped, we hit them with the knockout blow and silenced Manchester. Possession went to them, we stopped them, we got the ball back, then they did with 6 seconds left. We stopped them again deflecting it out to the sideline.

Then that was game! Scenes from the Preston players with an emotional win and the highest scoring match they have played in. Every player played to their full potential and believed they could win, this was the perfect result and performance to prove our worth.
I can’t give a man of the match in this performance, everyone deserves it. Shooting percentage and shot choices were the best I’ve seen.

Benjamin – little minutes, when he did come in, protected the ball and got to the free throw line. Good to have him on board learning in these environments.
Calum – Bossed it in the middle. Made 6 shots and layups shooting 67% from the field. Excellent on pick and roll. Scored 13 points, 8 rebounds and 1 big block- also managed to keep his cool after a huge block to avoid a Tech.
Edward – Went through some really hot phases and so close to a huge in game dunk. Shot 44% from the field with 26 points. Was also good from the free throw line and had banter with a family banging the drum to TRY and put him off. Made 4 from 6. 6 off and 6 def rebounds ensured we had the ball.
Finn – Came in for small spurts and gave great energy. Was a pest on defence and made a great alley oop basket. Is learning a lot this season and expect great things next season.
JJ – Protected the ball against a full court press and played lots of minutes. This meant a lot to him knowing a lot of the Manchester lads and gave one of his best performances. Scored 15 points with 2 3 pointers. Made the winning clutch free throw to silence Manchester. Shot 45% from the field and 50% from 3. Some crucial steals too to then force fast break scores, with 5assists.
Max – Great pressure on defence and energy to stop the Magic players getting the shots they want. A crucial corner 3 was made when Magic were getting back into the game. Finished with 5 points, shooting 25% and 5 rebounds.
Maxwell – Great defensive work that cant be seen on the stats. Stopped the Magic ball movement on the wing. Got a BIG block on there main man Theo to crush their hearts. Got a steal to ensure we had the ball near the end.
Thomas – 23 points shooting 42% from the field and 50% from 3. The Dagger 3 pointer in the game to give us the lift to finish strong. 5 assists, 8 rebounds and 2 steals.
Stephen – Came in for some physical presence in the paint and got 2 crucial baskets. Was good on the boards with 7 rebounds.

Check out the extended video on the Preston Pitchero VIDEO section , and soak in the in game sound with the joy of celebration at the end, Shorter version is on my Instagram, @coachgrahamuk