After a successful February and March the Cheshire Phoenix would lift the BBL Trophy last week beating the London Lions. A hot streak that continued as the North West side would put on a dominating performance over the travelling Scorchers.
Finals MVP Larry Austin opens the scoring for the Cheshire Phoenix as the Scorchers turn the ball over on their opening two possessions and the home side jump out to a 7-0 start.
Bradley and Okereafor knock down 3s and Phoenix do not take their foot off the gas as aggressive defence prevents Scorchers scoring a bucket in the first 3 minutes of the game.
Desmond Ringer draws a foul to knock down a pair of free throws to get some points on the board for Scorchers.
Captain Okereafor finds Ochereobia off the pick and roll to slam one home as Scorchers have no answer.
Scorchers not running an offense with a lot of individual play Coach Creon sees enough taking the whole starting 5 out of the game as Caylin, Hamrick, McLemore, Rolls-Tyson and Wanliss enter the court.
Instant injection into the game, Caylin Raftoploulos knocks down a 3 coming off a screen and Rolls-Tyson finishes inside and Scorchers take better shape to finish the quarter down 28 – 17.
Unfortunately, Caylin Raftopoulos goes down with an ankle injury in the first minute of the 2nd quarter but would return in the second half. Namon Wright heated up in the 2nd quarter jumping to 13 points in the opening 5 minutes as Scorchers unable to stop a dominant Cheshire scoring inside and out.
Scorchers struggling to keep hold of the ball as the team receives their 10th turnover with 5 minutes left in the quarter. Ringer finding some success on the high post knocking down a pair of jump shots to keep the Scorchers ticking over trailing by 20.
Luck not in their favour it gets worse for Scorchers as top scorer Davis Jr hobbles off the floor with an ankle injury, a reoccurring injury from earlier in the season which would result in the guard not returning to the court.
Wilkins sparks some energy off the bench knocking down a 3 and then follows with a finish at the rim. But Cheshire continue to fire hitting their 9th triple of the game ending the quarter 57 – 36.
Scorchers exited the locker room looking deflated and were unable to score in the first 3 minutes of the 3rd as Cheshire extend their lead to 30 points.
Jules Dang-Akodo finally gets the Scorchers some points, but it wouldn’t be enough as Phoenix Levi Bradley finds the bottom of the net moving to 16 points.
Caylin comes on for Jules but an ugly quarter of basketball for the travelling side as Phoenix out score the Scorchers 31 – 12 to take a 40-point advantage heading into the final quarter.
There was no mercy from Cheshire as they would continue to hammer points on the board throughout the final phases of play. Scorchers unable to keep hold onto the ball on offense and find a bucket.
Cheshire started the quarter with youngster Robbie Graham who continues gaining experience at the pro level and nails his first jumper on a pull up.
With onky pride to play for Coach Creon brings on Adam Riabi and Dean Wanliss to play out the last 4 minutes for the Scorchers. As Scorchers heads hang low waiting for the final buzzer to put them out of their misery sounds and the phoenix come out on top.
Final Score 113-66.
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