Scorchers exit the BBL Cup in Manchester

Scorchers Exit the BBL Cup in Manchester 

Scorchers travelled North to Manchester to take on the Giants in the BBL Cup Quarter Finals. It was a game filled with end to end action with neither side being able to push out a lead resulting in it going down to the wire.

Scorchers travelled light to the game with 8 players as Andrew Lawrence fell injured last weekend in Newcastle. Although, this was not seen on the court as Scorchers brought energy and intensity from the tip off led by Scorchers leading scorer this season Stanley Davis Jr.

A high scoring end to end first quarter inched Scorchers ahead 30 – 27.

Caylin Raftopoulos entered the game in the 2^nd quarter with immediate impact as he added flare on the fast break throwing one off the backboard to Captain Tayo to hammer down.

Legend Robertin brought his presence on defence protecting the rim swatting the ball out of bounds to get the away team bench on their feet.

The home side managed to push ahead with some sharp shooting from Dan Clark giving a 5 point lead as they headed to the locker room shooting 47% from deep. An unfortunate drive to the basket at the end of the 2nd quarter saw Stanley Davis Jr go down with an ankle injury and did not return to play.

With no Davis Jr to start the second half, Scorcher stepped up both ends of the floor with Caylin Raftopoulos running the offense to find good looks at the rim for his team mates whilst nailing a big 3 of his own.

Surrey’s bench production was not shy as Dean Wanliss entered the game cashing in from the corner 3 to make it a 3 point game going into the final quarter.

Scorchers began the 4^th quarter with high energy as Legend cleaned up on the offensive class for 2 points plus the bonus. However with only a 7 man rotation fatigue settled in as Manchester stretched out a 10 point advantage behind 2 daggers from Will Saunders followed by another by Dan Clark.

A full court press managed to force giants to the final seconds of play. With not enough time on the clock, Manchester closed out the game with a 95 – 92 victory and advanced through to the Semi Finals to take on Glasgow Rocks.