By Adam Manning
CRUSADERS head coach Scott Neely praised his side’s
focus in the 96-78 victory at Sheffield Arrows last Saturday, and
highlighted a deciding second quarter that saw Crusaders rack up 21
points while restricting Arrows to a measly nine.
Crusaders were on a five game winless streak before
this game, and coach Neely was pleased to see the consistent and focused
qualities that had eluded his players in the recent defeats to
Manchester and Taunton in particular to earn their first away victory of
the season.
He said after the game: “I was happy with the
consistent focus for the whole match and that is something that has
lacked in the past weeks.”
“We shot the ball well from the beginning of the match
and that continued throughout, especially from the 3pt line. The defence
and rebounding picked up in the 2nd quarter and we were able to really
take hold of the match.”
Even though Sheffield had 86 field goal attempts
compared to Crusaders’ 66, Coventry were the more clinical with a 15 per
cent higher conversion rate and bettered their opponents by 31 per cent
on three point shots that saw a quartet of Olinger, Smith, Danso and
Samuel in on the act.
“Sheffield did a good job of rebounding on the
offensive end and this gave them many more attempts. In the 2nd quarter
when we limited their rebounds as well as their key players we were able
to build a good lead” Neely said.
The head coach reserved some praise for 17-year-old
guard Ben Timms who played a key role in keeping Sheffield’s score down
by claiming five out of his nine defensive rebounds in the second
quarter, which helped Coventry to go in at half time 21 points up.
“Ben has really given us a lift” enthused the
American. “He always works hard and is fighting for every loose ball and
rebound. He was a big part of the 2nd quarter run that we were able to
make. I think much of him coming on has been his confidence and
recognition that he can compete at this level.”
Crusaders will be looking to
leapfrog ninth placed London Leopards in the capital this Saturday as
the fight for eighth place heats up. “The play-offs are a goal that is
still attainable so that is our aim.
We need to play our best basketball of the
season right now and focus one match at a time.”
Crusaders next home match is on the 21st
March when they face
Leeds Carnegie, tip-off is 4.00pm at the
Coventry Sports Centre.
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