18/10/10 - There have been many great games of basketball played in Hemel Hempstead over the years, but it's hard to imagine any could have topped the sheer drama of Saturday's game. Hemel Storm opened their league programme against London United at Sportspace having lost a nail biting Patrons Cup encounter to the same opponents by 1 point three weeks ago. Indeed, all of the last four games have been close encounters with no more than 5 points separating Storm from their opponents.  Perhaps we should have known...

In a high scoring, no quarter given physical battle, both teams shot extremely well and rained in an amazing 30 long range 3 point baskets between them. A tight first quarter saw the teams trade baskets and ended 23-21 Storm. The introduction of veteran Mark Quashie, playing his first meaningful minutes since breaking his foot 18 months ago, saw Storm establish a 9 point lead in the second quarter. Quashie rolled back the years and produced a virtuoso performance in a double-double performance, 21 points and 11 rebounds. He worked tirelessly at both ends of the court and just could not be contained as he drew crucial fouls on over-aggressive defenders. London would not be denied though, and four points from Dan McKay, and ex team mate of three Storm players, closed out the half at 52-49 Storm.

A pulsating game continued, and baskets were traded with Storm holding the smallest of leads at the end of the third stanza, 80-79. London opened their biggest lead of 5 points at the start of the final ten minutes but Storm came back and led by 4 entering the final two minutes of the game. A 7 point London burst looked to have taken the game away from Storm, as they faced a 3 point deficit in the last minute. Storm looked to attack the basket and Quashie drew two free shots for a hard foul. Agonisingly, both were missed, but guard Joe Mathews picked up the rebound and drew another foul. He made both shots and with the clock running out, Storm stole the ball. Mathews was again fouled and composed himself on the line for two more free shots that would win the game...but the first one missed and the crowd held their breath. It was now a make or break shot to take the game into an extra period. The relief was audible as regulation time ended with the scores tied at 100.

Storm started the extra period well and opened a three point lead, but as before, another long range three pointer swished through the net to once again tie the scores. Lightening quick Storm American point guard Bobby Edmunds shook of his bad dose of flu to control the final minutes of regulation time and chalked up 4 of his 17 assists in the 5 minutes of overtime, hitting a crucial 3 pointer that put Storm up by two with 9 seconds left. Surely the game was theirs now, surely the shot could be denied.

But no. All looked lost for Storm as Nhame-Nyameke sank a baseline 3 point  jump-shot to put London ahead by one point with just under 4 seconds left. but Storm would not be denied, Quashie inbounded the ball instantly, the ball passed down the sideline and the packed crowd lifted the roof as Hemel's Joe Matthews last gasp 3 point attempt hit nothing but net as the buzzer sounded  to seal a memorable 116 - 114 win. Jubilant scenes followed as the ecstatic crowd flooded the court. Joe Mathews was last seen at the bottom of a pile of joyous bodies!

The result was a fitting reward for the team's hard work in training during the week and the tactical adjustments that they had to make to compensate for several key players who were unable to play through injury. The crowd went for a lie down...

Top scorers for Storm were Rich Wellings (28),  Simon Kearney (27) and Quashie (21). For London, Szatkowski led all scorers with 35, Theodorou hit 33 and Harper 13.

Storm will soon hit the road with trips to Sheffield and Birmingham. They return to Sportspace on Saturday 6th November when they take on Mansfield Giants (tip-off 7pm).

Check out these other photos from the game! Click on each thumbnail to make them super big.

Photos: Andy Brain

Storm’s Rich Wellings evades two United defenders and sinks a three on his way to top scoring with 28 points.

Match hero Joe Mathews, who sank the winning three point shot on the buzzer, steps up to the foul line in over time and hits the second of his shots.

Part of the near capacity crowd that cheered Storm to victory.