Wolves rip apart Eagles by 15

In Sherrad Prezzie Blue’s first home game back since rejoining with the Worcester Wolves – alongside new signing Kai Williams, they helped run out to beat reigning champion Newcastle Eagles 88-73.

Starting Line ups:

Worcester: Prezzie-Blue, Ocitti, Owumi, Masilius, Fernandez.

Newcastle: Chapman, Maddox, Smith, Defoe, Huffman.

The first quarter was tightly contested but it was Newcastle who managed to create a small margined lead 17-14 despite facing an early set back after Charles Smith who is averaging 18.8 ppg sustained an injury after just 6.25 minutes. No reports of his current condition have been released by the Eagles.

Former Cheshire star, Kai Williams hit his first basket for the Wolves early in the second quarter in what would prove to be an impressive debut. Neither side could gain more than a two point lead for a sustainable amount of the half as both sides struggled to break away. The Eagles were hit by a shooting slump with Joe Chapman only making 3/13 shots in the first half. Big men Defoe and Maddox picked up the slack to keep their team in the game.

The Wolves had begun to open the gap on the reigning champions as Prezzie-Blue hit a buzzer beating three pointer after manuveering his was past two defenders with just 5 seconds left on the clock; extending their lead to seven.

At the half Kareem Maddox lead Newcastle with 14 points and Alex Owumi, who had finally been able to move back into his natural position with Prezzie back, was taking full advantage having scored a game high 15.

Newcastle were out-rebounded 47-30 and only hit one three in the entire. In contrast Worcester finished the game with a total of 13 three’s, with Prezzie-Blue scoring four of them in the fourth quarter and Kai Williams adding a further two as the home team closed out the champions 29-14 final quarter.

Worcester Wolves coach, Paul James, commented post-game: “Fantastic having Prezzie back, this is the team that I’ve built for him basically; to have him back, the difference in the team and the team chemistry is unbelievable and he runs the team very, very well and when he has to score he does that as well. I’m so delighted to have him back, delighted to have Kai Williams who is going to be a real asset to the team and a great win against Newcastle.”

Coach James added: “This is something I’ve been searching for all season long, a couple of guys come in and shoot the three, it stretches the defence out and makes life easier inside for people like Masilius, Stan and Arnas.”

The home crowd loved what they saw, exploding into applause as the final buzzer went giving their team a standing ovation.

Prezzie Blue commented:

“It feels great to be back in Worcester, the home crowd was great, just coming back – being able to shoot in the arena. I’ve got the team behind me and the way we gelled was excellent.”

Game MVP: Sherrad Prezzie-Blue

Play of the game:

In the last play of the game Prezzie-Blue alley-ooped the ball off the backboard to Kai Williams for the two handed dunk which sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

Next up:

Newcastle take on the Plymouth Raiders tomorrow afternoon.

Worcester Wolves take a two week break, returning to action against Glasgow Rocks on the 22nd