Manchester Magic (50)97

Coventry Crusaders (34) 67

Magic Wards Away Crusaders

Manchester Magic had what turned out to be an easy game on Sunday when Crusaders travelled north to Manchester’s Amechi Centre. 

For most of the first quarter it was a close game with first the Magic taking the lead, and then Crusaders. With eight minutes gone, the score was 18-20 with Manchester in the lead again.

But instead of responding accordingly, Crusaders allowed Magic’s Mackay to make a basket and two free throws quickly followed by one from Major, to put Manchester up 18-26 by the break. 

In the second quarter Magic continued to score at will, whereas the Crusaders were sluggish, not keeping their defensive pressure on like they have been known to do, possibly made more difficult by the depth of their opposition. 

Manchester, in the meantime, scored several more 3-pointers to match the four they had already put in during the 1^st quarter. 

Although Sam Oatman scored 13 points in the 2^nd, it wasn’t enough, and the Crusaders went into the locker room already down 34-50. 

The second half started off with both teams trading baskets. Crusaders weren’t gaining any ground, but half way through the 3^rd quarter something broke down, and Crusaders were only able to manage one more basket after that, taking them from a 14 point deficit to being 23 points down 49-72. 

Manchester just continued to play their game, each player having their turn to score.  The scoring for them was coming from all angles, and was hard to stop. 

The fourth period continued in the same vein as the rest of the game. With two successful opportunities at the free throw line and 2 baskets scored by Boonham and Mackay, Magic jumped into the 4^th with a 29 point lead. 

After that initial blitz, Crusaders managed to maintain their deficit, but were not able to make any inroads into catching up. 

The depth of Manchester’s talent was demonstrated in that five players scored in double figures. Their 58.5% shooting percentage far exceeded Crusaders 37%. 

Crusaders had a poor night of scoring and did not play up to their potential, or together as a team. The result was 67-97 to Magic – a well deserved win for them, and another night of frustration for Crusaders.

Now they will have to win their last game of the season, and hope that others do not win more games, or their hopes of making the first round of the play offs between the top eight teams, will not be realised.

It all comes down to the last game of the season for several of the final positions in the league, which adds to the excitement, as Crusaders final game is at home in the Coventry Sports Centre on Sat. 24^th March vs. 7^th place West Herts Warriors.

Prior to the tip off for Crusaders game at 7:30pm, is the annual Warwickshire Basketball League’s All Star game at 4:45pm.  Here is a great opportunity to see two games for the price of one, adults £6 and concessions £4. Tickets are available on the door.

It should be a brilliant night of entertainment, marking the end of the EBL Division One season for another year.

Crusaders scorers: Hopkins 1, Baynes Clarke 4, Donaldson 5, Neely 6, Omar 23, Oatman 28. 

Magic’s scorers: G.Smith 2, Major 3, Daniels 4, Hastings 4, Gill 5, Slater 6, Mackay 9, Miller 11, Thomson 11, Hogarth 12, Boonham 12, Cagianello 18