Under 14 Boys vs  NL Chiefs        

Strathclyde Basketball League

October 29th, 2016   

 

The South Lanarkshire Colliers under 14 boys opened their season by hosting their Lanarkshire rivals North Lanarkshire Chiefs in the SLBA.

 

The game started at a fast pace that both teams managed to embrace going basket for basket with both teams spreading the floor, as well as creating lots of good attacking opportunities with the Colliers trailing by 3 points at the end of the first quarter.

 

The second quarter was played at a slower pace with both teams trying to get back on defence quicker to prevent the fast break points. Half time Colliers 16 Chiefs 21.

 

The second half continued the patient methodical style of play from the second quarter with the Chiefs edging the third quarter to extend their lead by a further 2 points.

 

In the fourth the Colliers managed to start forcing turnovers and points to trail by just 1 point with six seconds left.

 

At this point the Chiefs went into team fouls allowing the Colliers David Gordon to take 2 free throws, the first dropped just short hitting the front of the rim but the second was on the money hitting nothing but net.

 

All square at 35 a piece the time ran out meaning we had overtime!

 

At the start of the OT period the Colliers were buzzing after their fantastic fourth quarter playing great defence, the Chiefs conceded a technical foul sending the Colliers to the free throw line. This again earned another point, this was followed by a well worked basket to extend their lead to 3 points.

 

A 12-point turnaround from being 9 down at one stage. The Chiefs had resorted to throwing up 3 point shots and with the clock running down. They hit their fourth attempt of the period with the game again tied and the clock running down the Chiefs managed to find an open man who scored with 2 seconds left to win the game.

 

FINAL SCORE:   SL Colliers 38 NL Chiefs 40

 

Coach James Ritchie added: “all the parents and the coaches agreed it was the most entertaining under 14s game they had ever seen with every player on both teams contributing.”'

 

“Whilst we were on the wrong side of the result today we can be proud of our effort and heart to get back in the game, it was truly exhausting to watch.”

 

Next game for the under 14 boys will be an away fixture against Glasgow Fever on the 20th November 2016.