Rockets finished a gruelling 5 games in 8 days programme with a resounding win over bottom of the league Tees Valley Mohawks. The 93-45 victory saw Rockets Academy and junior players prominent on the court with two of them in the top scorers. This completed an excellent weekend where Rockets beat top of the table Derby Trailblazers on Saturday night and basement side Tees Valley Mohawks this afternoon.
Top scorers for Rockets were Ryan Lohfink on 18 with 10 rebounds, Louis Sayers also on 18 with 3 rebounds, Adam Thoseby on 15 with 6 rebounds and Kenny Saunders on 14 with 4 rebounds and 5 steals.
Reading Rockets 93 Tees Valley Mohawks 45
At the end of a gruelling 8 days when they played 5 games, the ever improving Rockets scored 2 superb victories, one away on Saturday night against the league leaders followed by this overwhelming win against bottom of the league Tees Valley Mohawks.
The 48 point margin truly reflected the difference in class between the teams with Rockets' Head Coach Matt Johnson able to give extended court time to his young Academy players and deserved rest on the bench for the 5 senior players, as shown by Louis Sayers and Adam Thoseby being two of Rockets' top 3 scorers.
As a game it was almost over by the interval but certainly over at the end of the third quarter after a Rockets' 26 points to 5 onslaught. Mohawks depend so much on their ex BBL star Steve Leven who didn't disappoint in the first period scoring 10 of Mohawks' 12 points including 8 from the free throw line. However a Rockets' side full of confidence and artistry created openings for 18 year old Louis Sayers to hit 3 threes in a 17 – 2 run at the start of the game with Kenny Saunders and Adam Thoseby scoring with outrageous slam dunks. Saunders also gave a great reverse pass for Rockets' captain, Ryan Lohfink, to score before Jason Sayers scored with a hook shot as Rockets ended the opening quarter 26 – 12 in the lead.
The second quarter lost some tempo and many points were scored from the free throw lines with Saunders leading all scorers with 12 points, 5 steals and 4 rebounds as Rockets led 45 – 26.
The third quarter saw Rockets in imperial form with fast breaks, tight defence, and clinical finishing. Some of the highlights were an Adam Thoseby three pointer followed up seconds later with a block to stop Tees Valley scoring, a Robbie Parker step inside his defender to score with a sweet jump shot; a Lukas Aleksandravicius block as Leven went to dunk; an arrow pass from Parker for Steve Vaughan to score with a lay up and finally a great catch, shot and score, even though fouled, by Lohfink as Rockets took the quarter 26 points to 5.
Louis Sayers scored his fourth three of the game whilst Kofi Josephs hit his first three and then took a charge, much to the delight of his Head Coach. A couple of Louis drives saw Rockets finish the game with a 22 – 14 final period and a significant victory by 93 points to 45.
Top scorers saw Rockets captain with a double double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, with Louis Sayers on 17 points and Adam Thoseby on 15 points. Kenny Saunders finished with 14 points, 5 steals and 4 rebounds.
