Worcester Wolves 97 - 87 Cheshire Jets

Worcester Wolves maintained the pressure on the leaders of the British Basketball League, the Newcastle Eagles, after defeating Cheshire Jets 97-87 at the University of Worcester on Saturday evening. After easily seeing off the two teams at the foot of the table, the Mersey Tigers and the Durham Wildcats, the previous weekend, the Wolves found themselves in a slightly harder contest this week when facing another of this season’s strugglers.

Wolves centre Richie Gordon was once more quickly into his stride, taking four of his side’s first six points, and also recording an early block and a steal, as the hosts led 24-16 at the end of the first period. A couple of three-point scores from Wolves forwards Tommy Freeman and David Watts in the opening couple of minutes of the second quarter were enough for Jets coach John Lavery to call a time-out with his side trailing 34-16.

The Wolves lead was extended to 41-20 following a stunning coast-to-coast basket from Spanish forward Carlos Fernandez. Seven points without reply from Australian guard Dan Briglia brought the Jets back into contention. However, steady scoring from Wolves point guard Sherrad Prezzie-Blue, including a neat layup at the half-time buzzer, gave a 50-35 advantage to the home side. This fifteen point cushion for Wolves was steadily maintained throughout a third quarter that featured further accurate shooting from downtown by Freeman.

A 70-54 lead entering the final period of play was swiftly extended to 76-54 following another triple from Freeman, and one from the hardworking Arnas Kazlauskas. Whilst swarming defence from the Jets enabled them to reduce the arrears to 82-71 with five minutes of the game remaining, they were unable to make any further significant headway as the game wound down to Wolves eighth victory from their last nine matches. Worcester Director of Basketball Paul James was content with what he saw: “We threatened to blow the game wide open at one point, but Cheshire are a good side and kept coming back. However I felt we were always in control.”

Sherrad Prezzie-Blue registered a double-double of statistics, top scoring for the Wolves with 24 points, to go along with ten assists. Tommy Freeman was the next highest scorer for Wolves with 19 points, including five long-range scores. Cheshire centre Matt Schneck led his team’s scorers with 24 points. Wolves are next in action this Friday at Sheffield Sharks, before returning to the University of Worcester on Saturday 04 February for a big top-of the-table showdown with Newcastle Eagles.

Worcester Wolves 86-72 Durham Wildcats

Worcester Wolves moved back to joint-top of the British Basketball League after comfortably seeing off the challenge of the Durham Wildcats 86-72 at the University of Worcester on Saturday. Having beaten the league’s tenth-placed side, the Mersey Tigers, on Friday, the Wolves ensured that no mercy was shown to the team at the foot of the table the day after.

Before the tip-off Wolves centre Richie Gordon was presented with the gold-painted Molten match ball after being recognised as the BBL Player of the Month for December. He soon showed that the festive break had done nothing to interrupt his output as he dominated play close to both baskets, rattling up a quick-fire ten first quarter points and five rebounds. With Tommy Freeman soon back into his scoring stride after serving a one-game suspension, the Wolves led 21-16 at the end of the first period.

Useful three-point shooting from Durham guard Paul Elderkin hinted at a competitive game, but this ended once he had to take a seat on the bench with a couple of fouls. David Watts hit consecutive outside scores of his own, and even Carlos Fernandez floated home a rare basket from beyond the arc as Wolves went into the half time interval 46-33 to the good. Gordon registered the opening points of the second half with a gentle put-back, and followed this with a ferocious dunk a moment later.

With swaggering confidence he swatted away a shot attempt from Wildcats veteran Ralph Bucci, and then showed a behind the back dribble as he put Fernandez in for a bucket. Sherrad Prezzie-Blue bagged a couple of three-pointers and then converted an easy layup from a Fernandez steal and assist, finally putting down any lingering Wildcats resistance. Going into the final quarter already holding a 67-48 advantage, it was almost cruel to watch the ease with which Gordon outmuscled the Durham defenders to score freely on his way to a game-high 30 points to go along with a whopping 20 rebounds, as Wolves eased to the victory.

Worcester Director of Basketball Paul James was pleased with the weekend’s work, commenting: “These are the sort of games that make you nervous in case the players relax too much, but we stayed focused and did what we had to. When we meet the tougher teams like Newcastle and Plymouth we will need to pick off those games too.”

Richie Gordon was typically modest about his outstanding personal performance, saying: “I just wanted to come into the game and play solidly, and bring to the table what I can.” Fernandez with 14 points, and Prezzie-Blue and Freeman with 13 points apiece, supported the scoring power of Gordon. Forward Mario Flaherty top-scored for Durham with 20 points. Wolves will again be at the University of Worcester next Saturday when they meet the mid-table Cheshire Jets (tip off 7pm).