Crusaders Juniors 98 UH West Herts. Warriors 82

Cadets Dominate For Juniors

Having returned to winning ways last week against bottom club Lincolnshire Wildcats Crusader Juniors faced a much more formidable opposition on Saturday when the welcomed West Herts.Warriors to the Coventry Sports Centre for the first time.

Going into the game the two teams were on equal points with a 2 and 2 record. So there was defiantly some thing to play for here.

For the second week in succession the Crusader Cadets were with out a game, resulting in a number of their players available to step up and gain valuable experience at this higher level.

Or that should have been the case in theory, however, in fact it was Cadet players Sydney Donaldson and Bryson Pope that dominated for Crusaders, both of whom at just 14 years of age joined together to produce more than half the nights points.

Syd came in off the bench to top the chart with 30 points and Bryson ran him a close second with 27 points.

Numerous turnovers in the opening minute allowed Warriors to open up the scoring. Nevertheless, once settled Simon Clarke in his first season for Crusaders got the home side off the mark and within the first four minutes, four out of Crusaders five starters had hit the target, with things looking evenly matched at 13 points a piece.

Five minutes in and the younger of the two Donaldson’s checked into the game for the first time, and with almost his first touch of the ball Syd found the hoop and but the home side ahead for the first time in the game.

With their noses in front, Crusader’s stepped up the defence. Captain Hardeep Khosla looked more relaxed than of late, draining his first attempt from long range before providing Nathan Pope with a great opportunity to add to the home tally.

Both Nathan and brother Bryson dominated the defensive boards, preventing Warriors from retaking the lead.

Therefore at the first break Crusaders were still ahead 25 – 22. 

After the initial score from Syd Donaldson things started quietly for both sides in the second. However by half time and by getting themselves into the right positions Syd and Bryson between them would have produced 18 of Crusaders 19 points in the quarter.

Meanwhile the Crusader defence had reduced the Warriors attack with some style and Crusaders looked comfortable at the half time buzzer leading 44 – 36.

As if determined not to let his younger brother take all the credit, Nathan Pope got the second half off to a fine start, as he dragged down the rebounds at both ends of the court in addition to adding Crusaders first 8 points.

Warriors had however; regained composure during the break and a nice long 3 pointer brought them back in touch with their hosts. Before, having drawn a third foul on Nathan the visitors narrowed the gap further from the line 52 – 49.

Having got back in there, Warriors hung on until the closing stages of the third, when Crusaders reignited their attack closing down their visitors and putting space between the two sides.

As the final quarter approached Crusaders were well in control 70 – 57.

Four three point shots in the final quarter would under normal circumstances take the limelight but this final quarter fight back from Warriors was totally overshadowed by a star performance from Syd Donaldson for Crusaders.

Playing with strength and maturity well beyond his 14 years, Young Donaldson produced 12 personal points in the final period along with numerous rebounds at both ends. His way of getting himself unnoticed into the correct position will certainly cause other teams more problems in the future.

A peach of a three pointer from Hardeep Khosla, and a huge dunk from way above the rim in the dying seconds for Nathan Pope were the icing on the cake, in a well executed and well maintained performance from a Crusaders team that had consolidated their third place position with a 98 – 82 victory.

Crusader Scorers 

Sydney Donaldson 30, Bryson Pope 27, Nathan Pope 22, Hardeep Khosla 12, Simon Clarke 7. 

Crusaders Juniors like their Senior team counterparts now have a weekend off. However, Crusader Cadets will be back in action next Saturday (6^th) when they visit Northampton Cyclones at the Northampton Boys School. 2:30pm

Cadets are currently riding high in the Central Conference of the National League and with their unbeaten record hold pole position.

Saturday’s opponents have a 1 and 1 record and are sitting in third place. Therefore this impending game should provide Crusaders with their toughest test yet. Nevertheless, if they continue to perform as they have done so far this season, Alvin Scott and his side should still be smiling on Saturday tea time.