Heat run riot over visiting Tigers, win 106-45

Starting Fives:

Surrey Heat: C.Holmes, F.Holmes, Margai, Cricelli, Joseph
Mersey Tigers: Mullan, Woods, McGinn, Carroll, Bigley

With both teams undergoing significant roster reconstruction during the summer and with limited pre-season time to test out their new squads, the Surrey Sports Park played host to what was both the newly named Surrey Heat and Mersey Tigers first BBL quality test since last season.

For the Heat, they will hope the 106-45 victory that they won at a canter is the shape of things to come, while the visiting Tigers will hope that the season can only get better.

From the very start of the game, the gulf in quality between the two sides was obvious as the much physically larger Surrey Heat worked the ball inside time and again against the still developing Tigers, scoring all but four of their first half points in the paint to take a 56-22 lead into the third period.

Heat fans were treated to a dunk exhibition as defensive pressure created a number of break away dunk for the home side, helping the Heat increase their lead to 53 heading into the final 10 minutes.

Before the game, the BBL history books showed the largest margin of defeat to be 72 points (set by Leicester against London) and with starter Chavis Holmes and namesake Frank in the game in the fourth quarter, it looked like the record was in danger of falling on the Heat’s opening night.
Some late resiliency from the Tigers though, ensured that all records would remain intact as the Heat won the game 106-45.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Mersey Tigers with their young squad showing grit and refusing to give in despite the heavy deficit. Coach Walsh’s team showed flashes of quality and in 18 year old point guard Jack Hudson, they have an exciting point guard who was central to everything good that the Tigers were involved in on a difficult first night: He was fearless, determined and unrelenting throughout.

The Tigers have a lot of work to do if they are to register their first BBL victory, while the Heat will be looking forward to their next game and their first test against BBL opposition this season.

Play of the game

In the first half and with the Heat pouring on the pressure on both ends, one moment of respite came thanks to Tigers guard Matthew Jackson as he euro-stepped his way through the Heat paint to finish with a reverse lay-up. A pro move from the Tigers number 7.

Game MVP

Sam Cricelli – Top scorer in the rout with 21, the former Tiger lit up his old club on a variety of strong drives and pull-up jump shots.

Game quotes

Heat Coach Creon Raftopoulos: “I had no idea about the record (largest margin of victory/defeat). It’s always nice to have something in the record books that you can talk about but I never knew about it. I’ll do my research next time I get into a game I think!

“We haven’t had much of a pre-season but we’re lucky that we had the Tigers. They’re a young team, they’ve got a long way to go. I’m sure they’ll be okay once they get a couple of import players.”

Tigers Coach Tony Walsh: “It’s a young squad. we’ve gone out there and we’re still missing our big fellas and it’s showed tonight with the rebounding.

“Some of these lads have come from third division, fourth division EBL, it’s a major step up. Some of them shone: 18 year old Jack Hudson showed that he can match these lads. He’s not that big in physique but he’s got the skill to step up to it. Jack Hudson has stepped into the field, being only 18 and not looked out of place tonight.”

Next up

Surrey Heat vs One Health Sheffield Sharks, Sunday 30th at EIS Sheffield
Mersey Tigers vs UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders, Friday 5th October at the Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park