Plymouth’s ton stuns Cheshire’s efforts
Michael Ojo’s 40 point haul for Plymouth Raiders may have been the outstanding fact from the match up at the Northgate Arena, and if not for the heroics of the shooting guard, Cheshire Phoenix may have had the better of the Devon side, rather than suffer a 93-100 defeat.
Gabe Haskins, although kitted up and present on the Cheshire bench, was still out of the game due to injury, but with the addition of Stuart Thomson last week, it meant the home side were not left too short.
After their disappointing result away to Glasgow Rocks on Friday night, Cheshire came out of the starting blocks the more intense, and it was the quality of Raiders that were able to weather the storm and keep up with the pace; Raiders looking rather lacklustre in the first few minutes of the first quarter.
Matt Schneck, returning to the city where he spent his first two years in the BBL, was out of sorts and did not seem to have the presence around the basket that many associate him with.
His counterpart in Alif Bland, however, began the game by clearly putting a stamp of authority on court.
Seeing this, Schneck wanted to remind the Cheshire fans just what made him a firm favourite in recent times and shook off some of the niggles that were pestering him. It could even have been billed as his “‘flu game”, but the plaudits for points were perhaps to be left with Ojo.
The small lead Cheshire had in the first quarter soon was pulled back by Gavin Love’s side, and up until the last few minutes of the third quarter, the crowd beared witness to a dogged, determined, scrappy, somewhat chess-like performance from both teams, with baskets being traded, and the smallest of runs being posted from each side, but neither letting up.
The only moments to highlight (bar Ojo’s overall points performance) was the three pointer shot by Chez Marks right at the death of the first quarter, which did not seem to stick to the play that coach Matt Lloyd had wanted to run. At the end of the half, Plymouth were able to take a lead into the locker room after Andreas Schreiber hit one from two free throws, tying the game, only to have Drew Lasker collect the rebound, and pass it out to Ojo to give advantage to the visitors, 51-53.
There was a slight edge for a period of time into the third quarter, until Bland had a put-back slam to tie the game at 61-61, until once more Raiders extended out, but never further than to five points at that stage. Baskets again were traded before late on in the quarter, Barnett made an audacious shot and was fouled in the process, converting and giving a more substantial lead, only for Ojo to hit one from the arc and send the lead to double digits. Thomson, on his home debut, was able to finally drop a shot after Cheshire’s desperate attempts before the end of the quarter came round, but they still had nine points to recoup at 73-82.
The beginning of the fourth however, Cheshire sparked into life, and over the two quarters went on a 9-0, before the magic Ojo went on his own 6-0 run. It would otherwise have killed off most teams, but Phoenix kept plugging away, coming back at Plymouth with that little bit more every play, so much so it meant they got within a basket twice in the quarter. Alas it was not enough, as time ran out and getting themselves into foul trouble they went to try and win the battle of the mind and the free throw line, but were not to succeed on this occasion, a Marks three brought the score to within five, but subsequently Barnett hit both his shots from the line after being quickly fouled, and the game ended with Plymouth reaching triple digits, 93-100.
Defensively, the game was not up to scratch, but Alif Bland made a huge five blocks throughout the game, however both teams lacked in regards to the back court; if both had been tighter, it could well have been the difference for one of these teams and the result being more emphatic one way or the other.
Starting fives:
Cheshire Phoenix – Bland, Myers, Marks, Pearce, Gumbs
Plymouth Raiders – O’Reilly, Schneck, Barnett, Ojo, Brown
Play of the game
It changed the outlook of the game completely, and if it was intentional, I would be shocked to the core, but the throw up shot from Javarris Barnett and to convert from the line to make the three-point play gave that momentum needed, despite Cheshire almost at times hauling themselves back into the game, it was just enough at the time.
MVP
Michael Ojo’s 40 point haul was magnificent, and maybe not all over the court, but without question ‘Most Valuable’ in terms of points needed in order to win the game. Went about his business very quietly, but having seen him do a similar thing against Mersey Tigers, it wasn’t altogether shocking, stepping up into the gaping hole Jeremy Bell left.
Next up
Cheshire Phoenix at London Lions, Friday 8th February, 7:30pm
Plymouth Raiders at Glasgow Rocks, Sunday 10th February, 5:00pm