search
 

News British Basketball League

February 2, 2022 by Samuel Lane

Scorchers defeated by Phoenix at home

The Cheshire Phoenix step into Surrey Sports Park for the first time this season bolstering an experienced roster in Team GB Guards Teddy Okereafor and Ben Mockford.

 

The first quarter was nothing but thrills with endless highlight plays exciting the crowd early. Former Scorcher Mike Ochereobia opened the scoring off an offensive rebound. Cheshire found success with a penetration and kick offense in the first few minutes.

 

Momentum turned after a big rejection from Scorchers big man Legend Robertin pinning Phoenix leading scorer Namon wright to the backboard.

 

Saiquan Jamison found the weight mismatch on Bradley backing down the defence from the block leading to some easy scores.

 

Scorchers defensive stops pushed their tempo on offense scoring with Davis Jr dazzling the crowd with fast break finishes moving him to an early 6 points. Heat off the bench from Devin Thomas and Dean Wanliss knocking down their shots from deep cashing in on the 3-point line.

 

Basketball being a game of runs, Cheshire fired back in the last couple of minutes with Scorchers taking a 1-point lead to finish the first quarter 20 – 19.

 

The second quarter would end up being where the game was decided as Cheshire dominated. The Scorchers offense dried up as shots didn’t fall and there was a lack of rhythm to get the team going.

 

Davis Jr managed to slice his way into the paint to cause Cheshire troubles on the defensive end.  Scorchers keep within striking distance as the team headed to the locker room down 10 points.

 

Hamrick started the second half with 2 points plus the foul on a quiet night for the American finishing with 8 points. Cheshire extend their lead out to 15 behind a tough finish from Namon Wright absorbing contact from rim protector Robertin.

 

Davis Jr continued to put a on a show putting the Cheshire defence on skates as he nets a step back 3-pointer followed by a hammer at the rim by Legend cleaning up the offensive glass tying last week’s season high performance of 16 points.

 

Scorchers cut the lead to an 8-point deficit with a minute to go in the third.

 

The home side start the final quarter with 3 defensive stops in a row as Caylin Raftopoulos lights the crowd up with a 3 pointer to bring the game within 3 points in the opening minutes.

 

A blow for the Phoenix as big man Mike Ochereobia fouls out the game and allows for the dominance of legend to take place as he would exceed his career high finishing the night with 21 points.

 

An unfortunate unsportsmanlike foul by newcomer Thomas sends Cheshire to the line as they find the net from the free throw line making it a 6-point game with 5 minutes to go.

 

Scorchers run out of legs in the final minutes and the composure of Cheshire convert on big plays down the stretch. Bradley left open on the 3-point line drains it to ice the game and increase the away sides lead to 10 with 2 minutes to go.

 

Scorchers attempted to push the game until the final buzzer but were unable to execute on the last possessions as Cheshire leave with a 65 – 70 victory.

Connect with us

Designed by Four Pin Plug