Cheshire Jets 75 London Lions 82
Cheshire Jets had to suffer the indignity of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, as a final three minute run of 12-0 in London Lions gave Vince Macaulay’s team their second BBL Championship win of the season, 75-82.
Starting fives:
Cheshire Jets: Haskins, Moore, Myers, Bland, Marks
London Lions: Jackman, Sturt, Pedroso, Martin, Ogedengbe
The impressive performance against Leicester Riders had many hoping that Cheshire could produce their own second win of the season, but being 75-70 ahead late in the final quarter, the hard work to take the lead somewhat fell apart.
It was a very tight affair early in the game, but midway through the first quarter, Lions took the initiative, stretching out to a 14-21 lead, before a 9-0 run by Jets helped wrench back control, before points traded to finish the period 25-25.
The second quarter again saw Macauley’s men take up the reigns and pull ahead on the back of eight points with no reply, until player-coach Chez Marks led the charge with a three pointer and another bucket, before Gabe Haskins added two free throws of his own. However, the visitors made the home side pay the price for limited rebounding and restored their lead before half-time, with the score left at 40-47 going into the locker room.
The response after the break from Jets was immediate. Two threes from Phil Brandreth and Shawn Myers, followed by a basket from Haskins swung momentum back with Cheshire. Lions didn’t bite, but nibbled at the Jets before Haskins was fouled but somehow his fadeaway shot found its way to the net and converted from the line for a three point play; the Northgate crowd began to find their voice. Adrian Sturt made a three point play for himself, and Michael Martin picked up another two points to tie the game, but Marks sunk a two to give his side the lead heading into the final period.
Points from Myers and Duane James traded, before Haskins scored then missed his second free throw. The miss resulted in Kenny Moore collecting the rebound, firing, and drawing the foul much to the pleasure of the home support. Although he missed, Haskins completed another three point play shortly after. After a basket by Orlan Jackman, Moore sunk a big three, which gave the Jets their biggest lead of the game at 70-61.
Then came the fightback from Lions.
Four points from the line from James started things off, and when a three pointer from Myers was cancelled out by one from Jordan Spencer, and the final highlight from the Jets’ point of view was a vicious dunk by Alif Bland, who picked up a baseball pass down court making the backboard rattle, to leave the score at 75-70.
Sturt, James, Spencer and Jackman – all made the end to Cheshire Jets’ weekend somewhat very hard to swallow, with their tally of points to finish in three minutes and ten seconds of the game, a grand total of twelve.
75-82, and a very disappointing end, considering how close to victory Cheshire were.
Cheshire Jets’ top scorer came in Chez Marks, and chief rebounder was Messer Myers with 10. For the victors, they had an outstanding leader on both counts with Orlan Jackman, 22 points and 15 rebounds. Quite simply MVP of the game, although Gabe Haskins looked after the ball well throughout the game for Cheshire, and was key to his team’s efforts.
Vince Macauley knew that it wasn’t going to be straight-forward affair: “This is a very veteran team, with Shawn Myers and Chez Marks. They know what the league is all about and how to frustrate the opposition. My guys are very young, mentally, and it was tough for them. We wanted to run with the game, but Cheshire don’t let you do that. I think it was our collective effort that helped wear them down and come out with the win.
Cheshire Jets: Marks (21) Haskins (16) Myers (14)
London Lions: Jackman (22) Sturt (17) Martin/Ogedengbe (10)
