Game reviews 2008/9 - Page 1
Players (A) Essex League... Thurs 15th January 2008. 81 - 77 WIN
A fantastic performance from all, resulting in a memorable and well deserved win for the Stealers. Firing on all cylinders from the outset , Stealers built an impressive 11 point lead during the first quarter despite being broken down in 'de' on numerous occasions.
But Players are no fools. With a full strength squad of highly drilled players they managed to pull all this back and more in the second taking command by a full 13 points at one stage.
Not that Stealers were doing anything noticably wrong during this period - balls just not dropping was all that really made the difference.
But Stealers came out with a rugid determination in the third and steadily reduced the deficit. With no more than 3 mins left in the final quarter stealers finally regained the lead. Some hot free shot shooting from Predzius sealed the game with just seconds left on the clock.
Well done guys. This was a text book example of the team work we have been aspiring to for sometime - all playing to, and for, each others strengths, spotting and exploiting the weaknesses of the opposition, and dealing with their threats efficiently.
Three point threats and drives from all three guards, together with sensible,considered play from the big guys inside, opened up the Players defence leaving opportunities for all. Some fine mid range drops from the forwards at the elbow, completed the full range of threats that no matter how hard they tried, the Players could not subdue.
At this level, teams will cut out your strengths and force you to your weaknesses - tonight Stealers demonstarted that they have the full array of abilities, that when on song concurrently, result in no specific weaknesses. Consistancy is key to similar successes in the future.
Man of the match - well individual prominence did not figure in this game - 'Stealers' was the 'unit' that took the game by the neck and sealed success.
But if you were to press me, I would lead you to a moment that was typical of the whole teams approach to the game. Nick-the-Quick was about to be substituted on for 4-foul -Predzius with less than 2 minutes left to play. Whilst at the table Nick watched Pedzius sink a long two pointer - he looked to me -
'what are you thinking Quick?' I asked.
'He's hot, I might not...' he replied '....leave him on...' he added.
Nick's unselfish decision saw Predzius seal the game from the free throw line.
So, with a team playing so well together - you can even win the game from the bench!
Well done Nick, 'team-works team player of the match!!!'
Pre-Christmas Cambs League match resume and Essex League Round-up to follow.
Erkenwald (A) Essex League... Fri 24th October 2008 90 - 69 LOSS
36-21 21-16 17-23 16-9
Another giant team, Erkenwald new to the Essex format this season have been regular contenders for the Founders Cup national title in recent years. Hence a further game to assess progress within the Stealers line-up. Stealers started slow, and were subjected to a first class shooting demonstration from their opponents No.5 netting a 17 point tally from range in a single quarter. Stealers were slow to deal with this threat and suffered badly. The 15 point deficit at the end of the first quarter proved impenitrable. Once balanced, Stealers demonstrated that they were in fact a match for the Erks, with compatable scoring rates throughout the second and third quarters. A period of pressure de, and fine feeds netted Stealers a run of points that brought them back to within 10, but once again the shortage of players saw them tire early.
Stealers resorted to a press in the closing minutes in the hope of forcing some errors, but the Erks pulled out a further 8 points without return. Once again a 10 point deficit would be a fair reflection on the true nature of the game.
Big Pete made his first appearance of the season at this game, and enabled Stealers to play with three big guys throughout. Always safe hands, Pete brings an extra dimension to the squad and enables Weston to play high in the de, and rome freely in the offence. Indeed, Westons ability to offer inside presence in an offence, yet pop out to play third guard enabled Stealers to adopt thier reverse play strategy that has been lacking in recent performances. The spread of play demonstrated tonight was of a quality and consistancy that Stealers have been working towards for some time - Coach Haselton hailed this as ''...one of the Stealers best performances in terms of team work, movement and distribution.....,'' .... ''...with some refinements in both shooting and defensive positioning Stealers have it within them to take these teams right down to the line...''.
Man of the match goes to Pete Charlwood - his grit and determination an example to all. He closed the door on No.5's 3 point antics, controlled the tempo and distrbution of offensive plays, threatened from the top, and found his own three point form that saw him net an impressive 20 points. Stealers need this threat from outside in order to split defenses and open up the inside for the big guys,. When Petes fellow guards find similar form, as indeed they will, then this will truely be a squad with awesome potential. The fire arms are all there - sincronicity is within reach.
Brightlingsea (A) Essex League ... Tue 14th October 2008 84 - 62 LOSS
A tough match to start the new season. Div 2 winners Stealers verses Div 1 winners Brightlingsea.
The League Champions greated The Stealers with far more respect this time following their narrow cup win against Stealers last season (remember the night? - Stealers were 13 points up with just 3 minutes left on the clock before Brightlingsea realised that they were in trouble - they had to dig deep to pull out the win, and very nearly saw themselves tumble out of the cup to second division opposition).
Stealers set off to a great start, forcing many a turn over with the up-tempo hustle de, and pulled away to a 3 point lead in the first quarter. They maintained competitivness for the remainder of the first half. Lack of bench compared to Brightlingsea's full squad saw Stealers tire in the third and openings emerge. Brightlingsea needed little more to start building a lead.
Stealers used the final quarter for training purposes, resulting in yet more losses - a 10 -12 point deficit would have been a more reasonable reflection of the nature of the game.
Still, Stealers have much to be pleased about. Gone are the days where they turn up under-staffed for a whipping by the League Champions - Brightlingsea were made to work for every point, and were noticably rattled on occasions. Stealers continue to grow with confidence and disapline.
Great to see Charlwood back to strength and commanding the plays. Amazed to see Weston dominating so much of the game so soon after his foot operation. And pleased to see young Ryan enjoying the opportunity to sink a few past his old club mates. Soon to be dad Bazza played an important role in the game, his increased fitness noticable throughout following his hard graft over the summer. He's right back in there with the first division boys, and has established himself as a valuable member of the squad. His fellow soon-to-be dad Brian returning to the team after a summers break, a little rusty, but know the less always threatening. Big guys Purcell and Dextar played a major role in points building and competition at the boards. Now linking well with their guards to free up space for themselves - some awesome power plays from the two of them.
Man of the match, ooo thats a tough one - the objective of this season is teamwork and that is exactly what the team set out to achieve. But if pushed - well to put 23 points passed Brightlingsea is certainly something to be proud of, but I'm sure that Alex will be first to thank his team mates for setting up the space and assists to achieve this impressive tally.
