The first home game of the century brought a welcome win for the Crusaders.

It started close, ended close, but through the middle, Coventry were way out in front.

At the tip-off, it looked like defence was going to dominate the game when there were only 2 points scored in the first two minutes. Both teams threw heavy defensive curtains over the court.

Mark Bradbury made his return home debut and carried the ball well in the first half, but had to leave through injury before chalking up points. Colin Rhooms, starting a game for the first time at home, took his defensive intensity to ex-NBA player, Tom Sewell, shutting him down completely in the first period.

After the tight opening, Crusaders switched on-court personnel and, hunting in pairs, they raced into a big lead.

Marvin and Ben Livingston showed family understanding. Rick Solvason and Derrick Pope were on the same wavelength all night long. Alvin Scott and Matt Donaldson re-invented the twin towers offense. Pierre Bonneau and Andrew Laventure came off the bench to ignite the fast-paced attack that won Coventry the game.

By half-time, the Crusaders were 13 points ahead and cruising.

The mood continued at the start of the second period, as the team from Haywards Heath started to look dispirited.

Then veteran player-coach, Phil Waghorn, put some fire in his team, sparking a run of 11-2 in favour of the visitors. At the same time, Sewell found a way out of his shackles and Dwayne Martin hit regularly from the paint.

Inside the last three minutes, the scores closed to 80-77 as the impetus threatened to overwhelm the home side.

At that time, up stepped Ice Man Pope, the Big D, to close out the game with the help of some unwise fouls. As the buzzer approached, Coventry weathered the storm comfortably, despite the alarms.

Coach Dip Donaldson said:

"I was really pleased with the way the bench came in and pushed our team forward, creating a 20 point lead. I feel the bench players are the ones who really made the difference in this game for us. We now need to learn how to hang on to a 20 point lead, and concentrate on maintaining the lead once we have it.

"Mid Sussex always had the fire and potential to make a come-back and they very nearly did overrun us, but in the end the Crusaders had the heart to pull it back together. Overall, I was pleased with our guys' performance."

This Crusaders team is starting to play some great team basketball in both halves of the court. There is a fierce pride and intensity there, backed up by fast-paced skill. And Matt Donaldson is back to his powerful, driving best!

CRUSADERS:
Matt Donaldson 23, Pope 21, Solvason 20, Ben Livingston 9, Marvin Livingston 7, Rhooms 6, Laventure 5, Bonneau 2, Scott 2

MID-SUSSEX MAGIC:
Waghorn 28, Martin 25, Sewell 14
 

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