Worthing Thunder bagged their first win of these season as they truimphed in a thrilling overtime victory over the Essex Pirates 95-92.
Adam Williams was the difference maker for Thunder. He had 18 points, including arguably the game winning basket, and the Thunder looked much better with him on the floor. John Nottley also had a big game with 18 points and 9 rebounds, and Shaun Durant added a double-double of 13 points and 11 boards.
Essex returnee Taner Adu scored 31, almost carrying his team to victory.
Pirates had the right gameplan early on, really hassling Thunder so they could not get into any type of rhythm. Thunder sometimes stuggled to get the ball up the court and gave the ball away plenty of times. Worthing's lack of a genuine point guard was very apparent, but the return of Sherrad Prezzie-Blue should really help this team compete.
When Thunder were down 14 I thought they were out of it, but they showed fantastic character with a run that was inspired by the play of Adam Williams, who was my MVP for the night.
Pirates couldn't contain Durant and Nottley downlow, so it was a little frustrating that too often Thunder settled for drives or long shots. Mbye and Capers, in particular, missed quite a few shots (although they worked tirelessly defensively, and did make some big shots during Thunder's run in the third)
I felt a bit sorry for Essex by the end because they did work very hard, although in the end I always felt that Thunder's superior experience would pull them through. They really relied on Taner Adu. He was their go-to-guy whenever they needed points, and duly delivered especially in the first half.
Felt like they could do with a couple of genuine big guys as Sturt really looked dangerous from deep, but despite working hard, is not a natural big. The match was probably theirs for the taking in the third, and perhaps lacked a killer instinct.
It was a messy game, with lots of turnovers and sloppy play. Nevertheless, it was thrilling towards the end with the lead changing hands all the time in the final quarter and overtime. The refereeing was a bit odd, inconsistency seemed to be the key word. Questionable calls on travelling and fouls, admittedly I think a lot went in favour of Thunder.
Worthing Thunder
Adam Williams - sparked Thunder's comeback and was the key player for Thunder. He really came up big at the end, and I feel he was as important to Worthing as Adu was to Essex. 8 out of 10
John Nottley - did a good job inside again, was surprised to read the stats and see he had 18 points, he certainly scored them quietly. 7
Marlin Capers - also quiet, but scored steadily. Looked out of sorts in the first half and the energetic Pirates defense pushed him out of his comfort zone, but came back strong in the second half. 6
Mansour Mbye - missed a few open threes early on and seemed very wasteful in possession. To his credit he was very important in containing Essex in the final part of the match and hit some massive free throws. 6
Shaun Durant - great on the boards and scored efficiently inside. Felt he should have been fed the ball a little more than he was, but his double-double made him probably our 2nd best player on the night. 8
James Brame - did his best at the point but didn't look comfortable. He defended hard. 5
Pepe Zafirov - did okay as a backup for the big guys, but fouled out. 5
Gareth Laws - seemed a good veteran presence, but didn't see a lot of time. 6
Dominic Baker - thought he did a decent job with the time given to him and didn't look out of his depth. 6
Essex Pirates
Taner Adu - really was their most important player and if they had won he would have deserved credit for the victory. Seemed like he was being asked to do too much though, seemed to be relied on as the point guard and the go-to scorer. 8
Adrien Sturt - anchored Pirates defense inside, when he fouled out they couldn't stop the Thunder bigs. Has a nice shooting touch from deep and punished us a few times for leaving him open. 7
Jamell Anderson - young, athletic and enthuasiastic but really lacked killer instinct. Scored well, though, and played some good D. 7
Samuel Toluwase - undersized, but strong and aggressive, worked hard for his points. Fouled out. 5
Daniel Briglia - looked okay, but nothing special. Didn't appear to have any weapons. 5
Colin Sing - expected to see better from him. Didn't look very confident and passed up a few open shots. 4
Zach Gachette - has potential, but probably isn't ready for big minutes at BBL level. 5
Tom Woods - ineffectual. 5
Showing posts with label Essex Pirates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Essex Pirates. Show all posts
Sunday, 31 October 2010
Saturday, 9 October 2010
A couple of new signings
Two BBL clubs appear to be on the verge of some new signings: Essex Pirates, who certainly look like they need it, and Mersey Tigers, who certainly look like they don't.
The Pirates are rumoured to have picked up 6'10'' naturalised Australian forward/centre Adrien Sturt. The 24-year-old will add some much needed height to the Essex frontcourt, as so far they have been relying on young athletic forwards Sam Toluwase, Colin Sing, Jamell Anderson and Myles Hesson who are all undersized.
Pirates are missing a number of signings for the start of their season, including returning 6'9'' bigman Alan Metcalfe. The new signings yet to make their debuts include Americans Mike Mokeski, 6'9'' and Turner King 6'3'', and 6'8'' Brit Kene Anusionwu.
Once they have these players in place, Essex could be much more of a challenge than we have seen so far.
Mersey Tigers have also made the decision to bring in reinforcements as high scoring guard/forward Jerome Gumbs looks set to return. The 6'5'' swingman is from the US Virgin Islands, but also has a British passport. He played very well for the Tigers last season and makes this strong Mersey side even deeper. To me, Tigers look one guard away from dominating the BBL this season.
The Pirates are rumoured to have picked up 6'10'' naturalised Australian forward/centre Adrien Sturt. The 24-year-old will add some much needed height to the Essex frontcourt, as so far they have been relying on young athletic forwards Sam Toluwase, Colin Sing, Jamell Anderson and Myles Hesson who are all undersized.
Pirates are missing a number of signings for the start of their season, including returning 6'9'' bigman Alan Metcalfe. The new signings yet to make their debuts include Americans Mike Mokeski, 6'9'' and Turner King 6'3'', and 6'8'' Brit Kene Anusionwu.
Once they have these players in place, Essex could be much more of a challenge than we have seen so far.
Mersey Tigers have also made the decision to bring in reinforcements as high scoring guard/forward Jerome Gumbs looks set to return. The 6'5'' swingman is from the US Virgin Islands, but also has a British passport. He played very well for the Tigers last season and makes this strong Mersey side even deeper. To me, Tigers look one guard away from dominating the BBL this season.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Essex Pirates - Team Preview
I should note that Essex Pirates are probably the most difficult team for me to review. I have never seen them play, and in fact I have only ever seen one of their players. I am not, therefore, in an ideal position. Much of this will be guesswork based on what I have read, watched on video and equated from statistics
Essex Pirates
Point Guard: 6'1'' guard Andre Ellis has been somewhat under the radar. He showed his talent in the first game of the season, scoring 15 points in just 22 minutes of game time, which an efficient 6/11 shooting. When the full Essex lineup is available, however, I doubt Ellis will play particularly big minutes at the point, although he has proved he will be a very capable back-up.
The majority of the minutes will likely go to Turner King, 6'3'' American combo guard fresh out of Hampden-Syndey College in the US. King averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds, and was relied upon more as a scorer than a point. His role on the Pirates is likely to be a little different, as the Southend outfit's glut of wings leaves open minutes at the 1.
Grade: B
Shooting Guard: I'm not convinced the Pirates play a particularly standard type of game. They have a high of very young, very athletic wing players, all capable of shooting, driving but with very little BBL experience.
The exception is Marcus Knight. Knight is a 6'2'' shooting guard who can play some time at the point. He has always been a big name associated with London basketball, and is always a stellar performer at Midnight Madness. Knight can do a good job at BBL level; he averaged 12 ppg last year on just 20 minutes of play.
6'4'' Sam Toluwase is a high flyer who joint top-scored for the Pirates in their first home game. Toluwase had some big games for the Pirates last year including a 22 point, 9 rebound performance inspiring a win over the Guildford Heat. He players bigger than his height due to his great strength and athleticism, and will be looked on to be a solid performer if the Pirates are to push for the playoffs.
When Ellis is playing point, import King may well get some time here and the Pirates have so much young British talent such as Josh Pape and Calum Nicol, there are bound to be plenty of takers for minutes.
Grade: B-
Small Forward: Colin Sing got his first England cap over the summer. He's 6'5'' and more of a shooting guard in a natural basketball line up, but he is athletic and quick enough to play the 3. Sing might well be hoping to have something of a break-out season. He has the potential to be a very good British player in this league, and if he can force himself into big minutes he could be an important factor in the Pirates season.
However, midlander Myles Hesson should challenge Sing for those minutes. 6'5'' Hesson played last season in the England EBL2, effectively the third division in British basketball) for the Birmingham Aces. He played for the England U20 international team this summer, and impressed. In Pirates first game he proved himself to be an effective player at this level, joint top-scoring (17) with Toluwase, adding 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Like Sing he is athletic and strong. It will be fascinating to see the progression of these two young players.
Grade: B
Power Forward: Alan Metcalfe had an excellent colliegette career at Vanderbilt University. 6'9'' and a wide-frame, Metcalfe was the cornerstone of the Pirates inside presence. Metcalfe is quick for his size and can shoot from all over the place. He averaged 7.3 ppg and 5.1 rpg last year, and is an important experienced player in a pretty young line up.
Challenging Metcalfe for minutes is another young player and England U20 international. Jamell Anderson is 6'7'' and will be hoping to progress into big minutes for the Essex team. He could well also get time at the small forward. Unfortunately neither Metcalfe or even a potential reaching Anderson will be a genuine force for the Pirates inside, and this is something they are still lacking.
Former Solent youth Tom Wood may get a few minutes here too.
Grade: C
Centre: Essex have added 6'9'' American Mike Mokeski, the son GB assistant coach and former NBA player Paul Mokeski. Mike is a decent player, but probably not up to the same level as many BBL import players, and will be more of a rotation player than a starter outright. He has plenty of the skills that Essex need, though, not least of which being height.
Kene Anusionwu, a 6'8'' forward/centre will compete with Mokeski for minutes here. He is a defensive talent known for his flashy shot-blocking skills, and 4 years at college in America have prepared him to join this join Essex team and hopefully sure them up on the inside.
In this guard orientated Essex line-up, former Guildford Heat bigman Metcalfe may well play a lot of minutes here alongside some of the younger players, but if anything is certain about the Pirates this season, it is that playing time will be ultra-competetive, and they will be a lot of fun to watch.
Grade: C
Key Additions: Pirates first ever Americans Turner King and Mike Mokeski need to play well if this Southend-based team are going to have any success, although the progression of new Brit's Anusionwu, Hesson and Ellis may be more interesting.
Key Losses: In England international guard Taner Adu, naturalised big-man Randy George and Spanish forward Pablo Rodriguez were the Pirates three top scorers last year, and none will be returning.
Full Roster:
Jamell Anderson 6'7'' PF/SF
Kene Anusionwu 6'8'' PF/C
Andre Ellis 6'1'' PG
Myles Hesson 6'5'' SG/SF
Turner King 6'3'' PG/SG
Alan Metcalfe 6'9'' PF/C
Mike Mokeski 6'9'' C/PF
Colin Sing 6'5'' SG/SF
Sam Toluwase 6'4'' SF/SG
Tom Wood 6'6'' PF/SF
Essex Pirates
Point Guard: 6'1'' guard Andre Ellis has been somewhat under the radar. He showed his talent in the first game of the season, scoring 15 points in just 22 minutes of game time, which an efficient 6/11 shooting. When the full Essex lineup is available, however, I doubt Ellis will play particularly big minutes at the point, although he has proved he will be a very capable back-up.
The majority of the minutes will likely go to Turner King, 6'3'' American combo guard fresh out of Hampden-Syndey College in the US. King averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds, and was relied upon more as a scorer than a point. His role on the Pirates is likely to be a little different, as the Southend outfit's glut of wings leaves open minutes at the 1.
Grade: B
Shooting Guard: I'm not convinced the Pirates play a particularly standard type of game. They have a high of very young, very athletic wing players, all capable of shooting, driving but with very little BBL experience.
The exception is Marcus Knight. Knight is a 6'2'' shooting guard who can play some time at the point. He has always been a big name associated with London basketball, and is always a stellar performer at Midnight Madness. Knight can do a good job at BBL level; he averaged 12 ppg last year on just 20 minutes of play.
6'4'' Sam Toluwase is a high flyer who joint top-scored for the Pirates in their first home game. Toluwase had some big games for the Pirates last year including a 22 point, 9 rebound performance inspiring a win over the Guildford Heat. He players bigger than his height due to his great strength and athleticism, and will be looked on to be a solid performer if the Pirates are to push for the playoffs.
When Ellis is playing point, import King may well get some time here and the Pirates have so much young British talent such as Josh Pape and Calum Nicol, there are bound to be plenty of takers for minutes.
Grade: B-
Small Forward: Colin Sing got his first England cap over the summer. He's 6'5'' and more of a shooting guard in a natural basketball line up, but he is athletic and quick enough to play the 3. Sing might well be hoping to have something of a break-out season. He has the potential to be a very good British player in this league, and if he can force himself into big minutes he could be an important factor in the Pirates season.
However, midlander Myles Hesson should challenge Sing for those minutes. 6'5'' Hesson played last season in the England EBL2, effectively the third division in British basketball) for the Birmingham Aces. He played for the England U20 international team this summer, and impressed. In Pirates first game he proved himself to be an effective player at this level, joint top-scoring (17) with Toluwase, adding 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Like Sing he is athletic and strong. It will be fascinating to see the progression of these two young players.
Grade: B
Power Forward: Alan Metcalfe had an excellent colliegette career at Vanderbilt University. 6'9'' and a wide-frame, Metcalfe was the cornerstone of the Pirates inside presence. Metcalfe is quick for his size and can shoot from all over the place. He averaged 7.3 ppg and 5.1 rpg last year, and is an important experienced player in a pretty young line up.
Challenging Metcalfe for minutes is another young player and England U20 international. Jamell Anderson is 6'7'' and will be hoping to progress into big minutes for the Essex team. He could well also get time at the small forward. Unfortunately neither Metcalfe or even a potential reaching Anderson will be a genuine force for the Pirates inside, and this is something they are still lacking.
Former Solent youth Tom Wood may get a few minutes here too.
Grade: C
Centre: Essex have added 6'9'' American Mike Mokeski, the son GB assistant coach and former NBA player Paul Mokeski. Mike is a decent player, but probably not up to the same level as many BBL import players, and will be more of a rotation player than a starter outright. He has plenty of the skills that Essex need, though, not least of which being height.
Kene Anusionwu, a 6'8'' forward/centre will compete with Mokeski for minutes here. He is a defensive talent known for his flashy shot-blocking skills, and 4 years at college in America have prepared him to join this join Essex team and hopefully sure them up on the inside.
In this guard orientated Essex line-up, former Guildford Heat bigman Metcalfe may well play a lot of minutes here alongside some of the younger players, but if anything is certain about the Pirates this season, it is that playing time will be ultra-competetive, and they will be a lot of fun to watch.
Grade: C
Key Additions: Pirates first ever Americans Turner King and Mike Mokeski need to play well if this Southend-based team are going to have any success, although the progression of new Brit's Anusionwu, Hesson and Ellis may be more interesting.
Key Losses: In England international guard Taner Adu, naturalised big-man Randy George and Spanish forward Pablo Rodriguez were the Pirates three top scorers last year, and none will be returning.
Full Roster:
Jamell Anderson 6'7'' PF/SF
Kene Anusionwu 6'8'' PF/C
Andre Ellis 6'1'' PG
Myles Hesson 6'5'' SG/SF
Turner King 6'3'' PG/SG
Alan Metcalfe 6'9'' PF/C
Mike Mokeski 6'9'' C/PF
Colin Sing 6'5'' SG/SF
Sam Toluwase 6'4'' SF/SG
Tom Wood 6'6'' PF/SF
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