Pride U18 I

66

v

37

Cheshire Jets II U18

Report U18 I:
Man of the Match: Daniel Holyfield.

Report U18 II:.
Man of the Match:

U18 II

Past Reports

Man Magic 134 v 21 Pride U18 II
Report U18 II:The first cup game of the season for Pride II came with natural intimidation and pessimism, as they looked to face off against the renowned Manchester Magic first team. After a ‘close' start at 2-1 with a free throw from Stefan Siwiak-Jaszek, and a solid 3-2 zone, Manchester Magic forced an arguably unbreakable full court man press, forcing Pride to cause many turnovers barely being able to set an offence in Magic's half court. After a demolishing start for Magic, the 1 st half finished at an out of reach 43-1. A team talk from Coach Smith Pride sought out a new strategy to break the full court man press and to try to get some fast-break buckets. However Magic reverted to a zone defense, allowing Pride to set up a play, which saw Laurie Cameron score another basket for Pride. Yet Magic's stingy defense still prevented Pride from coming within 50 points, finishing the 1 st half, 70-3. After a somewhat embarrassing yet predictable 1 st half, Pride II managed to show signs of life in the 3 rd quarter as Joel Dodd scored two baskets. With more fantastic play from Magic, the point margin grew further and further away, however Pride did not give up. With a three pointer from Ben Dobby, two free throws from Joel Dodd and a leaning jump shot from Seb Ingham, Pride finished the third quarter 107-16. Aiming to score at least 20 points in the game, Pride again held a strong 3-2 defense and attempted to notch more points with Joe Nithsdale scoring two three pointers, ending the match at 134-22. Despite a frustrating loss, Pride took away factors to improve on to continue their success in the National League.
Man of the Match : Joe Nithsdale & Joel Dodd (tied top scorers with 6 points each).Match Report by Joel Dod

Sefton II & TCV Arrows Tameside
Report U18 I: Pride's 3rd game of the season got off to a flyer with intense defence applied from the off. Sefton were no match for this and Pride found themselves 16-2 up within 5 minutes. This high standard of play continued throughout the first half, ending 51-22. The third quarter was a blitz too, Pride outscoring Sefton 39-14 in that quarter alone. Even with top scorers M. Turner and A. Kusnierek making 20 and 18 respectively, the majority of the team managed to reach double figures, portraying the great overall team performance. The game ended with Pride winning 118-50 with yet another comfortable but determined performance against a young Sefton side.
Man of the Match: Chris Boness

Report U18 II: After a fantastic win away against Glyndwr Nets, Pride II were optimistic to come away with another win against Tameside Arrows. With a close start in the first quarter, Pride switched on the defense with a full court man to man press causing turnovers, allowing Pride to progress with a slight lead with high-flying scoring from Seb Ingham and Ben Dobby, finishing the quarter 18-15. After a scary start to the second quarter with Tameside coming within reach of Pride, Pride became patient, again switching on the press to force more turnovers for more fast-break points. With temporary captain Anthony Jackson leading the team with his consistent three point shooting and more notable scoring from Ben Dobby, Pride created a greater lead finishing the second quarter 42-32. With a ten-point margin and a confident, energetic team, Pride continued with their staggering defense with constant scoring from Stefan Siwiak – Jaszek to force Tameside to reconsider their strategy. Tameside decided to create a press of their own, frustrating Pride to give away cheap fouls, allowing Tameside to score within reach of Pride at the free throw line. Despite the close ending to the third quarter, Pride was determined to maintain the lead. After some inside plays from debutant Owen Stanley, Aaron Sohdi, Laurie Cameron and Joel Dodd and stronger defense with an awesome block from Laurie worthy of recognition, Pride maintained the lead, however Tameside were not going to be defeated easily. With both teams trading baskets the game was within 4 points with two minutes left in play. With a foul from Pride, Tameside's S. Thompson was sent to the line giving an opportunity to come within two points. However after two missed free throws Pride pushed to ball for buckets from Ben Dobby and Owen Stanley, closing the game and earning Pride II second victory, winning 76-68.
Man of the Match: Ben Dobby (For another astonishing performance) Match Report by Joel Dodd.

Glyndrw & Bury
Report U18 I: Prides U18's first game of the season against Glyndwr Nets of Wales, got off to a flying start with Sam Fitz patrick producing a unique 2-step dunk attempt for Prides first points. The u18 team looked in great shape as Glyndwr we slightly under the cosh from the beginning. This fast pace; from the Pride side carried throughout the first period and as such they went in at the break 22 v 8. The Preston side continued to run their offences, with ease, however struggled to dominate at the defensive end allowing the Nets to score easy unchallenged baskets. Towards to end of the half Pride maintained a lead at 43 v 19. The second half stared well as Pride increased the intensity even further. The Nets seemed to hit a brick wall the all Pride players were scoring from around the zone and on the break. With some great defensive play Pride forced the Walsh side to make numerous errors and in doing so Pride picked up the easy 2-ponits. As the game enter the last quarter Pride were in total control as they went a shooting streak hitting numerous 3-pointers. This along with some good baseline plays downtown Chris Boness played well and with A. kusnierek notching a good 23 point tally Pride hit the 100 point landmark. Nets in return did not give up the fight, however as their guard drove to basket, Pride's Tom McCrudden rejected the ball with a great block. Overall a great start for the Pride U18 first team. To follow. Man of the Match: Sam Fitzpatrick.

Report U18 II: Tip off gave way to a nervous start for the Pride II team as they began their first game of the season. These soon wore off as Ben Dobby hit the first basket for Pride with a 3 point shot and Bury Devils, seconds later, reciprocated with another 3 point. Both teams began to warm up and baskets were coming in fast at both ends. It became obvious the Devils were an aggressive team with a total of 6 free throws given in the first 10 minutes. Despite the extra shots Pride were still trailing by a basket at the end of the first quarter and had to step up their game to gain the lead. (End of 1 st quarter 22 – 24). Coach Smith ordered a 23 zone defence and a 55 press for the 2 nd quarter to test the Devils. This resulted in a few more chances on the boards but Bury's defence was tight and Pride just couldn't edge the lead. The teams remained balanced for most of the quarter till in the 8th minute when Prides defence began to slip. Slow transition from attack to defence resulted in 3 consecutive fast breaks from the Devils and they began to pull away in the lead. Add another 3 point shot and Pride were 9 points down (36 – 45). This was a clear flaw in Preston 's defence and Coach Smith decided to take off the press and tighten up. Team morale had dropped over half time with Bury Devils still in the lead yet it was still anyone's game. The 3 rd quarter defence was tough on both sides and it showed on the scores. This was the lowest scoring quarter with no basket for 4 minutes. Pride had plenty of chances but could not finish due to the solid defence and poor fast breaks. Pressure was on to take the lead in the last 10 minutes. (42 – 51). Time out 2 minutes into the last quarter and Coach Smith turned back to the press. Defence shifted from zone to man-man and the pace rocketed. Pride began to creep back up the board but the Devils kept scoring. Tensions were high as Pride was still down 7 points at the start of the 8 th minute and Smith called another time out (54 – 61). Pride had to give everything to turn the game around in 2 minutes and the players took to the court psyched after their final shout. Immediately B Dobbs delivered with a layup and the court began to get desperate. A foul on J Nithsdale gave him a chance to hit 2 of 3 free throws and even more points for Preston . A failed attack from the Devils allowed Ben Dobby to hit an epic 3 pointer for the tie break.
Both teams now were giving it their all with 1 minute to go. Another missed layup from Bury and Pride players went flying down the court for the fast break. Ben Dobby with the ball led down the court and set for the shot at the 3 point line. The bench and team exploded with cheer as he sunk yet another 3 point putting Pride in the lead with 30 seconds to go. It was Bury's attack and their chance to get back the game. Coach called off the press and Pride awaited the Devils from half court. Team morale was crushed as Bury Blue Devils number 13 (J Webb) hit a 3 to equalise. Final offense from Pride failed and gave way to a fast break and sneaky layup from the Bury Captain for the game. End of 4 th quarter 64 – 66.
Man of the Match: Ben Dobby.