Carnegie fail to keep their promises

For the second week running Leeds Carnegie lost to Bradford Dragons in overtime. Sunday’s 64-58 loss in the opening round of fixtures in England Basketball Division 1 leaves Leeds in eighth position in what is a very juvenile league table.

INSPIRE, ACHIEVE, EXCEL, screamed the back of Carnegie’s warm up jerseys and while there was arguably inspiration to be found in the battling performance the remaining two promises were not kept.

The game started in whirlwind fashion with both teams trading baskets, making for an entertaining opening stanza. David Ajumobi and Josh Houghton found their range from the outside for Carnegie but Bradford refused to be intimidated and the ever-vociferous Vance Silcott sank a shot at the buzzer to give Dragons a two-point lead.

Both defences tightened up in the second period and Ajumobi asserted himself inside giving Leeds a much-needed inside presence as American import Justin Berry struggled against Bradford’s front line. The game continued to be played at breakneck pace, and for long periods, the entertainment outweighed the accuracy with both teams missing easy lay-ups. Carnegie took a slender 32-30 advantage into the second half.

Bradford started the third quarter strongest and led by as many as seven. Leeds had no answer for McGrew despite Matt Newby trying several different defensive options in an attempt to stifle the Dragon’s centre, and the home side trailed by four going into the fourth.

As was the fashion of this game, the momentum switched again toppling in Leeds’ direction in an enthralling final quarter. Ajumobi continued to get the better of Silcott while Houghton and Henry Wilkins provided ample ammunition from outside. Leeds controlled possession going into the last 23 seconds and eventually worked the ball to Houghton but his contested three was wide of the mark and overtime loomed.

This entertaining match did not receive the dramatic punctuation it deserved – the extra five minutes were anti-climatic to say the least. Foul trouble robbed Carnegie of the opportunity to begin their Division 1 campaign with a win, and Dragons ground out a hard fought six-point victory.

Inspiration but little excellence and in the end no achievement.

Content courtesy of Joesph Fitzpatrick.