Photo’s: Andy Brain

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20/02/12 - Patron's National Cup Semi-Final (Hemel Storm 81 - Team Solent 72)

We are through to the Patron's National Cup Final after defeating Team Solent in the Semi-Final at Sportspace on Sunday. We produced a stunning second quarter performance to lead by 26 points going into the break and eventually won 81 - 72 after holding off a Solent comeback.  

We are the current holders of the trophy having won it last season in our inaugural year and will meet Killamarsh Arrows from Sheffield in the Final next Sunday in Leicester after they defeated London Westside in the other semi-final.

On Sunday the team's traded baskets in the first quarter until we switched to our pressing defence. Two steals and lay-ups from our point guard and eventual top-scorer Bode (26 points), put daylight between the teams at 25 - 18 and signalled the start of a Solent collapse.

In the second quarter Solent's scoring dried-up in the face of our stifling defence and we won the quarter 25 - 6 to take a remarkable 50 - 24 half-time lead. But we nearly let all of our good work slip as our opponents turned the tables to win the third quarter 27 - 12
through improved defence and accurate shooting.  

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"We played some of our best defensive basketball of the season in that second period," said a delighted Coach T. "We were able to control Solent's key scorers by switching defences and keeping them off-balance. And our excellent defence led to fast-breaks that Bode, Spud and Drew converted."

"Although we had that big lead at half time we just lost all of the defensive aggressiveness that put us in such a commanding position," he added.

"It can be difficult to play well when you're ahead like that but I credit Solent for how they adjusted defensively, plus we allowed them too many unchallenged shots. But we showed excellent character and were able to play them even in the fourth quarter and come out with the win".

Our leading scorers were: Bode 26, Spud 19, Drew 15.

Hemel Storm 93 - Mansfield Giants 88 (National League)

Drew poured in a season's high 38 points including scoring 11 from 12 free-throws on Saturday to lead us to a 93 - 88 victory against Mansfield Giants in a competitive and entertaining National League clash. We were down 43 - 47 at half time but fought back in the third quarter to take a five point lead into the final stanza.

The teams were never separated by more than six points throughout the game and it was our ability to win 60 per cent of the rebounds that proved key to the victory.  

"The Giants are a really good offensive team and have improved their roster with some key signings since the beginning of the season," said Coach T. "I think some of our guys may have had Sunday's Patron's Cup on their minds because I didn't think we played with our usual focus. But we got the job done and Drew's performance was outstanding."

The win maintains our second position in the National League and keeps us on track for a home draw in the end-of-season play-offs.

Our leading scorers were: Drew 38, Bode 22, Tom 14.

Tom tries to find a way around
Solent’s 6’ 10” Jon Wilkins.