Photo’s: Andy Brain

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23/01/12 - The injury-hit U16's remain top of their league following an impressive win away on Sunday to a much improved Reading Rockets team.  We raced to a 10-2 lead and looked like we could run away with the game but a lack of defensive intensity and a stuttering offence allowed Rockets back into the game and by the end of the first quarter Reading had taken a single point lead.

Improved ball movement in the second quarter edged the visitors into a slim 4 point lead at half time.  The game was closer at this stage than many had expected but our coaching staff knew that a concerted defensive effort would make the difference.  It came in the third quarter when a 19 point lead was opened up as a result of the swarming defence.   Storm's fast breaking game was now in full effect and we romped to a 76-49 victory.

A strength of the U16s is the teamwork and unity they display and again there was excellent contribution from all players.

Jordan Harewood 21; Nick Allin 16; Hamadee Taousi 13; Gus Rees 13; Jack Burnell 10; Matt Renshaw 3; Jack Biggerstaff; Dan Nuttall.

Tough games are coming thick and fast for the U18's, this weekend they had an awkward away trip to Baddow who are a well-organised team and difficult to beat, particularly on their own court.

The pattern of the game was absolutely as expected.  Baddow were gritty and determined and there was no chance of them rolling over to the League leaders.  Defensively, Hemel

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worked hard to keep Baddow at bay but failed to convert the many close range opportunities they created shooting only 28% in the first half.  With stats like that we considered ourselves  somewhat fortunate to be trailing by only 3 at half time.

As is becoming almost compulsory with Hemel's junior teams, the defence was upped a notch in the third quarter and fast breaks were finished confidently.  An unassailable lead was built and we ran out winners 74-59.

Five players scored in double figures and special mention should be made of Michael Darlow's 19 rebounds.

Michael Darlow 16; Davis Nicholson 14; Roman Lososovskij 14; Jake Lloyd 13; George Crosby 10; Liam Reynolds 6; Tom Bostock 1; David Evens; Shaun Allin; Ben Lawson; Chris Cox.

Michael Darlow top-scored with 16 points and grabbed 19 rebounds.