Hackney White Heat (42) 95 Crusaders (45) 89

Crusaders Defence Lets them Down

The hopes of ending the year on a winning note were crushed Saturday when Crusaders let another closely fought game slip from their grasp. 

Crusaders travelled to Hackney in London to face the fast, athletic White Heat in their home venue, the Space Centre. 

Crusaders got off to a great start as the White Heat played man-to-man defence, allowing Crusaders to play to their maximum strength, going inside to their big men for close up baskets and high percentage shots. 

Alaster Spiers scored the first eight points for Crusaders, and when Spiers wasn’t scoring Dip Donaldson and Derrick Pope used their muscle to punish the White Heat’s big men. 

Crusaders were without the services of Sam Spare who is recovering from a shoulder injury.  After his brilliant performance last week against Liverpool, his contribution was definitely missed, as his rebounding and defensive play are a vital part of Crusaders game plan. 

Crusaders dominance was beginning to wear down the White Heat, and close to the end of the second quarter they had gained a 10 point lead. 

They looked to be on the verge of blowing the game apart, when poor defensive performances from players being substituted onto the court, allowed Hackney the opportunity to catch up and close the gap to within three points. 

When Larry Graves picked up his third foul just before half time and the White Heat Player/coach Solomon Aylinla scored 6 points White Heat had cut the lead by half time to 42 - 45. 

Hackney White Heat’s zone defence on the Coventry and Warwickshire Crusaders in the second half locked down the big men inside.

Crusaders lack of defence against the outside shooting of Aylinla and his teammates quickly added up points for the White Heat.  The Crusaders only managed 18 points in the third quarter 

In the fourth quarter, with White Heat maintaining the lead, the Coventry side hung on to the scoreline, keeping it within striking distance but unable to catch up or stop the Hackney side’s onslaught. 

Assistant Coach Marcus Garvey played the bench and tried different combinations of players with little effect. The Crusaders were 7 for 24 in the second half from the three point line.

The result was that Crusaders closed out the first half of the season with a league record of 3 – 3.

They will be taking a good long hard look at themselves over the Christmas break, strengthening their determination to improve on their record and their performances come the New Year.

The Crusaders next game will be at Coventry Sports Centre on Sat. Jan. 3^rd at 3 pm.

Crusader Scorers

Derrick Pope                  23

Alaster Spiers                 18

Larry Graves                  14  

Dip Donaldson               12        

David Argo                     8

Manny Sharland             5

Craig Robertson             5