Terrific win at home for Under 16 Men!

 

March 8th, 2015 @ Alistair McCoist Complex, EK

Under 16 Men Div 2 (Thistle)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the start to the finish the Colliers were in front, the first quarter saw some tenacious defence from the team, which took the Flyers by surprise. It allowed the team to open up an 8-point lead going into the 2nd quarter.

 

The 2nd quarter was no different. The defensive intensity was there, pressuring the passing lanes and making the ball handler work was the name of the game. The Collier’s team were here to play.

 

Offensively Calum Alexander and Ciaran Hughes were an unstoppable force, running the court well and finishing their baskets in transition. This was also backed up by the inside effort of Ross Hendry on the offensive rebounds with a few nice put back lay-ups.

 

Going into the second half the Colliers were up by double digits and a spell of fatigue, foul trouble and loss of defensive pressure allowed the talented Flyers side to come back into the game with a few easy ones at the bucket.

 

The second half of the third was much better and saw the Colliers return to their first half standard. An excellent effort from Chris Duncan to pressure the ball handler allowed the squad to hold off the Flyers push and going into the 4th the Colliers held a much smaller 5-point lead.

 

The 4th saw the Flyers trying to push again but the Colliers slowed their high tempo game down which helped keep them in control of the game. Excellent effort on the rebounding attributed to the Flyers not capitalising on that many second chance baskets and allowed the team to maintain their lead. A couple of hard drives to the basket sent Ciaran Hughes and Chris Duncan to the foul line where they shot very well and sealed the deal with Colliers coming out victorious.

 

Coach Ross Mathison said “The success in this game against a well coached side like Grampian really highlighted all members of the team’s improvement over the season. Their defensive pressure was outstanding and relentless the whole game which allowed them to get out on transition which they like to do offensively.”

 

“I was really impressed with their rebounding and help defence which has been lacking in the past, but today they were on point and really dug deep and fought hard for the win. I was really proud of the effort levels of the whole team and it was a great way to close out the season.”