The BUPA Coventry Crusader's final game of the century took place before a good-natured crowd in the Coventry Sports Centre.

The occasion saw the home side close out the year with an entertaining festival of showtime basketball which resulted in a win for Coventry.

The visiting American team was a collection of highly talented individuals with the fast hands of Doug 'Mr Basketball' Bradshaw leading the pace and power of Henry Fontadne coupled with the deft touch of Steve 'Too Tall' McGlothin.

From the tip, the visitors came out to display their silky skills and leaped off into a 6-17 lead as the Coventry team gave them a little too much time on the ball.

Early on the Crusaders showed poor shot selection and were just a little too careless for the liking of coach Donaldson.

A timeout at 14:28 shook up the NBL team. With 5 minutes to go to the half, the Crusaders had edged into the lead thanks to 4 massive three-pointers from Kevin Penny. Half time saw a 42-41 lead for the home boys.

It was always likely that the USA team would fade in the second half as the superior cohesion of the Division One squad took its toll. And thus it proved.

But the Americans did not go down without a fight. There was a series of remarkable individual efforts on Offense and Defense with Fontadne leading the scoring for the away team.

The game developed into quite a spectacle as individual Crusaders let rip with their own silky skills, determined not to be outshone in any section.

Fierce blocks from Sam Ramon were matched by snatches from Alvin Scott. Mr Basketball's fast hands and lookaway passes were matched by Derrick Pope's deftness of touch and speed of thought.

And Rick Solvason proved once again he is the best American in town whether shooting from outside, driving inside or firing from way down town.

As the Crusaders edged out to a comfortable lead, the final minute or two saw a blooding for five junior Crusaders who took the game to the Airbase: Nicholas Pope showed same rare skills and was ably assisted by Paul Adams, Simon Lee, Jordan Williams and Jonathan Davies.
 

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