Worthing Thunder (45) 99

Crusaders (35) 71

It was another hard day at the office for Crusaders – hitting the road south to Worthing and coming away with another league loss. 

The game was a vast improvement over last weekend’s dismal performance at Reading, however, so the team can be encouraged that they are making strides in the right direction. 

In the first quarter Worthing showed they were not prepared to mess around.  After Sam Oatmans’ initial basket for Crusaders, they made a 12 point run as Crusaders answered with missed shots and came away empty handed over the next four minutes.  The quarter ended with a 16-23 lead by Worthing, a lead they never relinquished. 

The second and third quarters were more competitive as Crusaders and Thunder more or less traded baskets throughout that twenty minute period.  

Crusaders struggled to contain Worthing’s Janis Ivanovskis who scored 15 points in the 3^rd quarter, alone, but overall, they kept pace with the fast paced Worthing side. At half time they were still in touch 35-45 – the deficit of that 1^st quarter scoring lapse on Crusaders part. 

At the end of three, Crusaders trailed 56-69, but it was in the 4^th quarter that Crusaders again went five minutes without scoring and essentially killed any chance they might have had of a comeback. 

Thunder capitalised on their lapse, going on 0-15 point run, and Crusaders were left trailing by 71-99 when the buzzer sounded. 

Player/Coach Dip Donaldson was determined to start with the positives – 

“I was really pleased with Scott Neely’s overall performance.  He shot an impressive– 5/9 from the 3 point line and  8/14 for 2 points, along with 6 rebounds.  That was his best overall performance this season.” 

Donaldson expressed his disappointment that the rest of the team did not make over 50% of their shots. Team shot percentage was very low. 

“We have not yet fired on all cylinders this season and have not found our form.  I feel like the players are still thinking too much and haven’t got to the point where we’re just playing the game the way I want it played, and getting in the full flow.” 

He was pleased with the scoring for the 1^st three quarters of team play, but disappointed how easily Worthing took advantage of poor shooting and shot selection in the 4^th which resulted in Crusaders lack of composure and a spiral downward. 

“It’s been a good learning curve for our team to play so many of the top teams from last season, so early this year. We continue to measure and evaluate ourselves on a week-to-week basis. We seem to be taking two steps forward and one step back,” said Donaldson. 

Crusaders are at home again this coming Saturday vs. Solent Stars. Tip off will be 7:30, and tickets are available on the door for £6 Adults, £4 Concessions. 

Crusaders scorers: Baynes Clarke 2, Solvason 5, Twierdzinski 8, Donaldson 9, Oatman 21, Neely 26.