22/11/10 - Hemel Storm ended their unbeaten home record as they lost 94-86 to Tees Valley Mohawks on Saturday. Leading 16-11, Storm conceded 16 unanswered points in 3 minutes that left them facing an 8 point deficit at the end of the first quarter. Mohawks were being paced by their outstanding American, Ralph Bucci, who read every defence Storm threw at him and found the open man or drew a steady stream of fouls.

Tom Frederick established his inside game and pulled Storm back to within 3 at 43-46 but another 8 point burst saw Mohawks extend their lead to 11 points at the half at 54-43.

Facing an uphill battle, Storm called upon young James Chute, who had been out of action injured for a month. His will to win and sheer athleticism started to turn the tide as he was given responsibility for Bucci, holding him to just 3 points in the 3rd quarter, and offensively attacking the hoop to convert and rebound ferociously. It proved a good quarter for the home side as they held Mohawks to 11 points and trimmed the margin by 4.

This was all set up for a big last quarter push, and led by the inside play of Fredericks and the outside shooting of Wellings, Storm continued to push on, taking the lead at 72-71 midway though the last stanza with a 3 point score from captain Spud Kearney. It was to prove the last lead they would hold as the consistent long range shooting from Tees Valley plus Bucci controlling the tempo of the game took the score away from the home side and to an inevitable loss.

Bucci ended as the games top scorer with 28 points, an incredible 22 of them coming from the foul line at an amazing 91% success rate (20/22). Frederick top scored for Storm with 21, Chute added 16 and Wellings 15.

Storm have the long trip to Team Northumbria on Saturday before returning to Sportspace on 4th December to face Eastside Eagles from London, tip off 7pm.

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

Photos: Andy Brain

Joe Mathews sinks the second of his two free throws.

Left: Joe drives to the basket and leaves Tees Valley defenders flat footed.
Right: A spectacular finish by Storm’s James Chute.

Rich Wellings signs a programme for a couple of young fans.