Crusaders Century Gets Them Back On Track

Crusaders 100 - Tamar Valley Cannons 87 

Recording their first century score of the season, Coventry and Warwickshire's Crusaders returned to both the Coventry Sports Centre and to winning ways on Saturday night.  

Although encouraged by the result and pleased with the win, Crusader's Coach Derrick Pope was not getting too excited after the game and was still calling for a large degree of improvement from his players. 

"Defensively we were much better, but we still made far too many offensive mistakes and really should have won by another 20 points." 

Crusaders looked confident and much sharper as they were led out onto the court by David Argo. 

Argo was making his Crusader debut after injury had kept him from playing at all so far this season for his new club.

It was a nervous start for the home side, however, as they twice turned over the ball under the Tamar basket, giving their visitors a chance to break away and score 0–4. 

Nevertheless, in the second minute of the game Pope was to open up the scoring for Crusaders before Argo put Coventry ahead with his first Crusader basket followed up with his bonus shot from the line 5 - 4. 

With just less than six minutes played Crusaders had stretched out to a 9 point lead, with all five starters on the score sheet and making seven from eleven baskets 18 - 9. 

More significantly however, was the way Crusaders rebounded the ball at the other end, as Tamar missed the basket Crusader's big men allowed them no second chances, unlike last week when Crusaders threw the game away on the boards. 

Dip Donaldson added a long 3 pointer to Crusaders score that inspired Tamar's Coach George Hatchell to call a time out. 

It was more of the same coming back on to the court, although it was Pope hitting the 3 for the home side this time as the score moved on to 24 - 9.

Tamar had played nearly three minutes without scoring, before Adam Hatchell eventually broke through the Crusader defence to put the visitors into double figures. 

While Marcus Garvey brought about changes in the Crusader line up, Nicky Wookey started to make his own impression on the game for Tamar. 

Crusaders looked well in control at the end of the first period holding a 34 - 19 advantage. 

A third foul from Lee Bradley gave Crusader's Larry Graves the opportunity to open up the scoring in the second quarter from the free throw line.  It had been a slow opening couple of minutes. 

Craig Robertson worked his way past the Tamar defence to score for the home side before the visitors went on a 7 point unanswered run. 

The run included a very long three pointer from Bradley that was even appreciated by the home crowd  but it made the schedule 38 - 26. 

Having appeared to be resting his knee for the opening of the second half, Pope returned to the court with six minutes left in the first half. 

Despite not scoring for the rest of the half, the Crusader Coach proved again to be the steadying influence, as once again the Crusader points began to flow.

Crusader's started the second half 52 - 38 ahead. However, as Tamar stepped up their game with more accurate shooting and tighter defence, Crusaders had to be appreciative of the early pressure and blistering pace they themselves had produced that had given them their early advantage. 

Making just four from a possible twelve points from the line in the third quarter Crusaders failed to build on their lead and allowed Tamar to narrow the gap and put an unnecessary pressure on their hosts. 

Taking the third period by 21 - 24 points, Tamar had cut Crusaders lead to 11 points as Matt Pead sunk Tamar's fifth 3 pointer of the game to close the third quarter 73 - 62. 

Nicky Wookey narrowed the gap further to start the final period, but failed to improve from the line having been fouled by Crusader's Ed Baynes Clarke. 

Larry Graves dragged down the rebound but was unable to control the ball that was subsequently thrown away by Tamar, giving possession back to Crusaders, and enabling Pope to score off the glass adding 2 more to his personal game tally of 19 points. 

Crusaders were back on defence as Tamar continued to pressurise, and for four minutes Crusaders held their visitors to just 2 points.  

Determined to finish off the game, Marcus Garvey brought back his starting five, and watched as they steadily drew 23 points ahead. 93 - 70. 

With the game all but won Crusaders chose to entertain their appreciative crowd with a series of moves that displayed what basketball is all about. 

The highlight of the closing minutes had to be a superb textbook dunk from Wes Hall.

The youngster who replaced Donaldson for the final three minutes, looked every bit the promising star as he launched himself high above the rim. 

With Crusader's foot off the gas in the final seconds Tamar added to their score line with two more from long range, but the biggest cheer of the night had to be when Argo's basket brought up the 100 points for Crusaders for the first time this season as the game closed out at 100 - 87.

Speaking after the game David said  

" I am pleased to have at last had his chance to play, and am very pleased with the result."

From the banners of support for David seen among the crowd, it looks like  Argo is already on his way to being a Crusader crowd favourite. 

Crusader Scorers                                   Tamar Scorers

Larry Graves                  24                      Marcus Cronin   22

Derrick Pope                  19                      Nicky Wookey             21

Dip Donaldson               17                      Adam Hatchell             15

Alaster Spiers                 16                      Matt Peard    15

David Argo                     7                       Eddie Duke     5

Craig Robertson             6                       Dave Hickson             4

Manny Sharland             4                       Lee Bradley 3

Wes Hall                       3                       Ian Spearman             2

Ed Baynes Clarke   2                      

Sam Spare                    2