Game reviews - 2007/8 Season - PAGE 2
Essex League Play-Off semi Final v Southend Scorpions 2 (H) 96 - 79 WIN
period 1 20-16 period 2 25-19 period 3 24-27 period 4 27-17
Stealers progress through to the play-off finals with a hard fought battle of brawn and psychology. Stealers could have been excused the expectation of an easy-ride through to the final, having beaten the Southend team convincingly in all League matches. They had even beaten their first team division 1 squad in a mid-season friendly so expectations were understandably high. But Scorpions arrived with an unusually strong team and the alarm bells began to ring right from the warm-up.
A talented young guard from the seaside town reeked havoc from the 3-point line and on the drive, single handedly keeping his team in contention. Stealers had to muster all their defencive abilities to contain him and establish a lead. But Stealers are now wise to teams which rely on individual brilliance, and gone are the days when they can be beaten by just one man (boy). Captain Clay led the way in a masterful presentation of denial and cut the National League contender out of play at every opportunity. This chalice was shared relentlessly with fellow guards Di Lieto, Chalgrove and Markie, - together with support from the big guys behind, the spark was spoiled time after time. Coach Haselton was satisfied that on the night, the job was done - but the score sheet records no less than 47 points attained by this young upstart , mostly unaided, so help-de training is bound to remain high on the coaches agenda.
On the offence, the strength, height and athletisism of the Stealers big guys once again proved impossible for the visitors. As Scorpions double-teamed one big guy out, in stepped another for an easy two from back door. Easy money for the likes of Purcell who has capitalised throughout the season through this scenerio. Stealers guards thoughtfull contribution should not be understated. They knew that the game could be won from inside, remained threatening from the 3 and the drive, drew out the defence and offered the big guys all the room they needed to do their thing.
Stealers soon established a lead of just five points, but try as they might to extend this, Scorpions continued to fight back and remained in contention. The final tally demonstrates that scoring was not a problem - containment was the issue. Yet by the second half, Stealers had established a system that would see them pull away to victory and come the 8th minute of the final quarter the towel had been thrown in.
Coaches man-of-the match. Well there's a difficult one. It could so easilly be the Mount Dexter for his formidable second half one-on-one offence from high post. It could so easily be Captain Clay for his defencive containment of the young upstart. Big Pete had probably his best game of the season, sneaking in back-door on numerous occasions, and Diddy Pete demonstrated the confident ease of the 3-point tease that we all know he is capable of. Markie-Mark pulled off some incredible blocks, igniting the bench into standing ovations and Jesus-Joe weaved his usual magic at both ends despite recent poor health.
So a real team effort this was and perhaps unfare to single out any particular individual, but right in the middle of this, orchestrating events at both ends was wise old Weston. The link between guards and base, drawing out players to create room for others, feeding out to guards for 3's, always available for a simple pass from a pressured guard, and never selfish with the balls route to goal. All that has come good in the teamwork and comradery of the Stealers squad was personified in Weston's approach to this must-win fixture.
Wickford Knights (H) Essex League 67-56 WIN
period 1 22-12; period 2 12-23; period 3 12-10; period 4 21-11
Stealers scraped another victory to maintain their 100% Essex record, but achieved only their lowest hit rate of the season. Agood steady start saw Stealers pull away by 10, was this was not maintained through the remainder of the first half, going in at half time a point down. Stealers knew that they had the resolve to turn the game round, but the visitors heads were high and stealers continued tpo look a little shakey through the third. Digging deep, Stealers returned to true form and pulled away to a decisive 15 poiunt lead before easing off ready for the next days fixture. Best period of the game was certainly the first quarter where control of the game was commanded by Charwood at point and Cook distributing. Clay M and Purcell both exuded confidence in racking up the point served admirably by Weston at the linking role.
Good to see young Nick participating with confidence - never looked out of place and reacted smartly to advice being hurled at him from all quarters. Man-of-the-match has to go to the linking role played by Captain Weston who continues to play the vital central role in commanding the defencive play and linking guards to point pounding forwards.
Stealers have proved that they can be a match for any first division team with a full bench, but will have to work hard throughout the off-season if they are to maintain this threat with injuries and absenties. Must try harder.
Cambs Cats (H) Cambs League 84-70 WIN
period 1; 28-17 period 2; 29-17 period 3; 10-13 period 4; 17-23
A must win game for friends and uni-mates of Mr S and his colleagues, Stealers entered the match with a full squad fully pumped to perform. Never short of action this match proved to be a specticle jam packed full of excitment and highlights;
Highlight 1 - Rambo Lambert takes an early injury, mobbed by three cats with their claws- a-ripping, and is removed from action with a face full of blood. - but they ''never touched 'im'' of course!!! Highlight 2 - Mr S gets a cob-on and runs into trouble with the refs, resulting in an early exit from play.Stealers could hardly contain their delight.
Highlight 3 - A delightful 'nutmeg' from Joe. So cheeky it tears at the heart !
Highlight 4 - The devistating inside power plays of mrssrs Dexter, Percell, Weston and Cook, any mix - just as fruitfull - unstopable. Highlight 5 - Impecable team work throughout. The well drilled unit continued to dazzle to opposition.
oh yes Highlight 6 - the power dunk from Dexter - had everyone off their seats, and put the opposition squarely in their place - there was no return for them from that point on.
Man-of-the-match. No question about it. Dexter wanted the game so badly, there was nothing and no-one that would stop him have his day. But even so, JD remained level headed, playing in team mates whilst re-establishing court position. Sensible team play resulting in openings that he could capitalise with ease. A treat to watch and sentiment to his continued development. JD now dominates the second div ision base line / centre position - no one can touch him. he will play a central role in Stealers success in the First Division. Well done mate.
Cambs Cougars (A) Cambs League Loss
A disappointing loss here in the Cambs League, with the 'second team' unable to summon the desire and finesse so prominent in the Essex League fixtures. The talent was there - the will was not. Still, a good apportunity for Clay to test his coaching skills at competitive level and establish good grounding for the future. Enough said!
Mike Packwood
Top table Official
Mike has been with the Stealers since its formation in 1985, and whilst no longer playing competitively, continues to keep his hand in on training nights. Mike is an invaluable part of match night structure - always willing to scribe the score sheet.
Mike knows the mechanics of the game inside out - having him in control of the table ensures that the formalities run like clockwork. Cheers Mike!
Top Supporter
Wayne Clay
Coached the Stealers through the late 80s' and early 90's achieving Cambs League glory in their hay-day years of Heavers, Dewy, Rickard, Pass, Geonowich, Cafferkey, Kidman, Denmark, Packwood, Shuttlewood, Lambert & Haselton (amongst others). The last five remain actively involved in the running of the club - where are you other boys?
Wayne keeps in regular touch with the club by supporting home games, when his two boys Neil & Mark compete in 'hitting the floor' .
Basildon Heat (A) Essex League - 15th Feb 2008 108-43 WIN
Stealers proved emphatic over the boys from Basildon, achieving their greatest points difference of the season. The depleated sqad of just six players (Purcell, Dexter, Weston, Clay N, Charlwood and Predzius) grasped the opportunity for extended court time, and following a tentative first quarter proceeded to outplay Heat in every aspect.
At the end of the third quarter Heat had scored just 27 points. Coach Haselton set his squad the ambition to score in just one quarter, what the opposition had managed in 3 - this was surpassed wiith a superb 37point final quarter including a power-dunk from Dexter. This was a true team effort in everyway, with five of the six scoring in the 20's. Man of the match goes to the lowest scorer on the night, Clay, who whilst suffering from flue, set up oppportunity after opportunity for his more mobile team mates - there's team committment for you. The best game of the season for Charwood too, hitting the three at will. Great to see him teaming up with Predzius to offer the 3-point threat from either side of court, thereby splitting the defence in two and offering inside opportunities.
But where was Markie-Mark I hear you cry - He'd of loved this fixture - Oh, he was at home nailing his hand to the wall of course - silly of you not to have thought of that.
Get well soon mate - Jesus is quite famous I know, but please stick to the Basketball Court to attain your own notoriaty.
Scorpions 1 (H) Friendly verses first div opposition 105-103 WIN
This mid-season friendly saw yet another opportunity for Stealers to test their abilities against first division opposition and assess their suitability for promotion.
A close fought game throughout, Stealers trailed by 7 for the majority of the time, never quite managing to gain an advantage, but they were by no-means overwhelmed.
Scorpions 3-point excellence came to the fore, time and time again, nudging them ahead during periods of bucket for bucket exchanges. Stealers defence of drives was much improved from that of last weeks encounter with Baddow, yet still not good enough to prevent the accumulation of personal fouls - work to be done in training we thinks!
Yet Stealers had the boards, and a mis-match in height advantage right through the squad - it was just a matter of time until this took effect. Come the start of the final quarter, Stealers trailed by just 4pts, and Scorpion's defence was in severe foul trouble. Dexter took advantage of this and powered through for point upon point - they just couldn't stop him. And if they tried - well - in popped the other big guys for simple conversions. Stealers pulled away for a delicate 4-point lead with just 2 minutes to go and off went the scorpions hub player with 5. A nervous period of exchanges pursued with calls going either way that could have swung the game. Scorpions pulled back to within a point with just seconds left on the clock. Dexter, holding his nerve, drove to bucket and was put on the line - scoring one of the two left Scorpions needing 3 to win.
Sharp as a button Weston, saw the 3-point threat, and forced Scorpions to take free-throws instead, knowing that Stealers height advantage would win back control. Control retrieved, Stealers simply held on to the ball to run the clock out for a memorable victory.
Well done guys - great team effort with well control passing, reverse switches and the continual 3-point threat being key to opening up the space to allow mighty Dexter and his fellow big men room to strut their stuff.
Good to see Charlwood back on court threatening the three. Match fitness will see him back as key play-maker, but lets get the run of injuries behind us first.
Coaches man-of-the-match.....it's got to be the big-man himself, the mountain, the power-house, the monster, the brick-s__t-house, the one who usually turns up late and loses his starting five position. He's unstoppable, sensational, hungry (for ball and burgers), the power base that will form an intregral hub of the First Division team -oh and did I say that he's quite often late, - he scored a massive 37 points, he's the one and only Deadly Dynamic Dextar!!!!! Well done mate - keep on filling your boots.
Baddow 2 (H) Essex League - 20th Jan 2008 83-68 WIN
Period 1; 18-19 Period 2; 32-19 Period 3; 15-22 Period 4; 17-8.
A must win game for the stealers to assure pole position for promotion to the first division. Oppenents Baddow Eagles had lost just one game prior to this fixture - home to Stealers. To lose this game would leave the title undecided until the final fixture of the season.
Coach Haselton, short of guards, but with a full allotment of base players (for the first time this season) sort to command the boards with a 3-big guy line-up in the starting five. A risky maneuvre given the unfamiliar nature of this format, but well worth a try.
Stealers started slow, taking time to adapt to the modified plays, and found themselves trailing by 7pts after 8 minutes. Boards were well catered for - but defensive footwork to prevent the drive was severely lacking. Re-grouping at an 8th minute time out saw Stealers fight back 6 of these, without return, to go in trailing 1 at 18-19.
The power house clicked into action during the second quarter including a period from the 3rd to 6th minute where Stealers put away 15points to Baddows 2 - Weston feeding the back-door cuts from Purcell and Dexter, whilst Predzious thrived on the break and Di Lieto on the drive. Half time score 50-38 - Stealers were well pleased with their efforts to achive the 12point lead.
With the big guys all approaching foul trouble, Coach Haselton returned to the conventional Stealers formation of 3 guards. However, a customery crappy third quarter brought Baddow back to within 5pts. Again, pour defensive footwork, coupled with insufficient 'help' being the root cause.
With all the big guys in foul trouble now, Stealers returned to the 3-big man format with fast break options that had been so effective in the second - a make or break decision that could easily have seen 3 of the 4 big men benched early. Stealers managed to maintain a seven point lead swapping basket for basket, with great effectivness found through Dexters power play. An eighth minute freeshot from Dextar saw the Baddow heads go down and shortly followed by a ring swirling lay-up from Predidzius sealed Baddows fate. Predzius and Purcell went on to capitalise on the floundering opposition, pulling away to a significant 15 point winning margin.
A nail biting, enthrawling encounter that had the largest audiance of the season all on the edge of their seats, and a smile on the coaches face that just won't wear off !!.
Stealers can congraulate themselves on their ball work , passing and composure, but will need to work hard on their defensive footwork if they are to keep first division opposition at bay. A few too many turn-overs and unnecessary fouls need also be considered. But praise be to the calm thoughtfull approach of all the big guys in their 4-foul predicament, that kept them all on court and contributing to the success of the team.
Special praise goes to Di Lieto at point, always a threat, and commanding plays very effectively, Markie Mark for his superb defensive assistance in blocking shots and scooping up the loose rebounds, and Purcell for playing with his usual strength and commitment despite a heavy cold (half time Beachams certainly did the trick - but is it legal !!!). As a team game it is safe to say that everyone contributed to this fine victory, but if pressed for a coaches man of the match, then this should be shared between Dexter and Weston - Dexters strength to the board was simply undefendable, and Westons linking feeds repeatedly split the defence apart offering easy scores for his team mates.
Well done guys - you should all be very proud - watch out First Division, Stealers are on the up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh yes, & Neil got himself fouled out too!!!!
But seriously - against doctors advice, Clay found himself compelled to rejoin his team mates for this vital fixture - thers's commitment for you - and what a major role he played too. Offering his services merely to give magician Joe the odd break, Clay found himself using up his full quota of fouls in the defence of otherwise certain lay-ups. The pour strike rate from the free throw line kept Baddow at arms length - they would certainly have still been in the game had Clay not had the foresight to sacrifice himself. Well done mate - hope all goes well at the docs tomorrow.
Scorpions 2 (H) 6th Jan 2008 106 - 54 WIN
Another solid performance from the Stealers despite the loss of Captain Clay to an ongoing injury. The game soon develped into a training opportunity, where the Stealers experimented with their full repertoire of plays. Outstanding performances to note, from Di Lieto - taking on the point guard command role with ease, Purcel - continuing his onslaught of points accumulation, and Weston providing the vital link between guards and baseline. Coaches man of the match could easily have gone to any of these, but the prize is awarded to Dexter who confirmed his return to the arena with an oustanding display of versitility, linking naturally with team mates, whilst accruing a valuable 25 points to boot! Well done boys - keep up the good work.
