[15 JAN 11] CRUSADER NEWS

Crusaders 47 Leicester Sparks 45

By Adam Manning, Crusaders Press Officer

Coventry Crusaders Under-16s head coach Marcus Garvey praised the composure of his side as they recorded their first three points of the season in a tight 47-45 home victory against Leicester Sparks.

 Callum Lawson held his nerve with 0:24 on the clock to execute both of this free throws to clinch what would be the decisive two points before he drew a foul from the opposition’s offense to kill off a late Leicester comeback.

 Coventry also went into the game without their three point guards Jewels Chan, Michael Stokes and Adrian Foncier - making the team’s first win of the season a bit sweeter.

 “I’m very pleased” commented Garvey. “I felt like everybody played for each other and we controlled the boards so they weren’t able to get second shots.”

The first quarter was an uneventful affair, racking up 17 points in total and nine fouls as Crusaders trailed 8-9.

Coventry made life a little hard for themselves in the second as they twice let Leicester take a five point lead. Leicester’s Webbe hit a three-pointer and capitalised on a mistake from Lawson, before the latter and  Crusaders' Jack Wilson hit two points each to draw the score level at 14-14.

Leicester raced ahead again at 18-20 as they grew in confidence as Kirby  took his two chances in the hole when they came, and moments later Sparks' Bocknor rose above the rest to add to his team mate’s efforts.

Coventry never laid down though, and Lawson went on a six point run for Coventry which ended with a neat two point play that was created by a Josh Smith lay-up to Lawson, who had the strength and vision to turn his marker in the hole to send Crusaders into half time trailing 22-24.

The third quarter ended all square at 34-34 after both teams were evenly matched either by poor finishing from free throws or missed basket opportunities. Coventry did open up a short lived 33-29 lead courtesy of alert rebounding from Stefan Stojsavljevic, but any hopes of forming a defendable lead were stifled by Leicester’s Littlewood. 

With both sides fighting for victory, it was always going to be scrappy as both sides were guilty of committing too many fouls. But it was ultimately Leicester’s lack of discipline in their own back court and Coventry’s nerve that held out for the win as they were gifted six pairs of free throws in the last minute.

Coach Garvey said after the game:

“Over the last two weeks the boys have practised with a bit of discipline and self belief. Composure down the stretch is also important, and it proved that when they were composed we were more successful. The other team lost their heads.”

He also praised the influence that big Callum Wilson had on the team, adding:

“Callum Lawson is a bit more composed on the ball and he knows what to do when he’s got the ball with his back to the basket, and everybody else just fed off him. I just liked the team effort in general.”

Now they have their first win under the belt, Garvey has challenged his youngsters to take the same determination with them out onto the court in their next game at home to Shropshire Warriors next week.

“They’ve all understood what it takes to be successful. If they follow the game plan then they can see the results.”

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