Though only having five players available for the end game scenario, Rockets won a thrilling quarter final of the National Trophy and go to Derby for the semi. A brilliant last 3 minutes saw Rockets to a deserved victory though by the narrowest of margins - 1 point and with 4.7 seconds remaining. Top scorers were Kastytis Normantas with 17 points, Ryan Lohfink with 14 points, with Lewis Champion and Lukas Aleksandravicius on 11 points.
Meanwhile in other cup games today, the Under 18s won through to the semi final in the Sureshot cup beating Uxbridge College Emperors in their quarter final, whilst the Ladies played well but lost out in their semi final in a hard fought game against a talented Manchester Mystics team.
National Trophy Quarter Final
Sunday 15th January 2012 Tip 2pm Brixton Recreation Centre
Brixton Topcats 69 Reading Rockets 70
Rockets travelled to south London on Sunday afternoon to take on opponents who had beaten them by 10 points in a league game before Christmas, as Rockets sought to hold on to their National Trophy title, one they have held for four of the past five seasons. This quarter final turned into a titanic battle in the second half with Rockets deserving the tightest of victories by a single point...70 to 69.
The tip was delayed ten minutes but Rockets were first to trouble the scorers as Ryan Lohfink made a lay-up. With Steve Vaughan out for some time with damaged ankle ligaments, Captain Lohfink and young Sam Simon knew they'd be playing more whilst Head Coach Samit Nuruzade knew he'd also have to give Harrison Gamble early court time to see if he could make a significant contribution, even with his shoulder heavily strapped having popped it in training on Thursday night. The good news for Nuruzade was the return of Lukas Aleksandravicius to the squad.
The first period saw Luke Nelson being called for two quick fouls meaning he had to sit out the rest of the quarter whilst Lohfink suffered the same fate....both within the opening 1 min 18 secs.! Robbie Parker appeared in fine form as he stroked a glorious three pointer but moments later he was hit in the mouth by an elbow which took a tooth through his lip and meant he had to go off to hospital for treatment. Now a real challenge faced Rockets with just eight fit players and 95% of the game to go...and the referees calling everything so getting into foul trouble was a real concern.
But this is a national title that Nuruzade knows means so much to Rockets as he encouraged his guys, now an ever younger team with only three over 19 years of age. How well they responded as Lewis Champion made a pair of steals with zest and quick thinking before hitting a sweet three pointer and helping Rockets go to the first break with a 22 - 16 lead.
The second quarter saw Rockets impose themselves even more with courageous defence, often on the floor competing for possession and taking charges, as Jon May and Champion did. With Simon taking down crucial rebounds and Lohfink working tirelessly inside, the travelling supporters were well proud of their team. Kastytis Normantas scored with a jump shot and from the line before his experience saw him use up the time till moments before the buzzer sounded to drive to the basket and score taking Rockets to the locker room with a 12 point advantage at 38 - 26.
Rockets shot out of the stalls as the third period began with Normantas and Lohfink teaming up well before Lohfink was called for his third foul moments before May was called for his fourth, leaving Nuruzade with only one over 19 year old really available to him for the rest of the quarter. Luke Nelson picked up his fourth foul, but a superb Normantas dish to Aleksandravicius saw him hit a timely three moments after Aleksandravicius had given Champion a super pass to do likewise keeping Rockets twelve points ahead with three minutes to go to the end of the quarter at 51 - 39. Champion took yet another charge but Topcats were sensing Rockets foul trouble as they reduced the deficit to just six points as they hit their first three pointer on the buzzer with the score 56 - 50 in Rockets favour.
With Nelson already fouled out the pressure on the remaining guys was immense especially when Topcats made it a one-point game with five quick points at the start of the quarter. May and Champion stood up to the pressure as they each converted a pair of free throws to edge five points ahead. A buzzer beating three from Normantas responded immediately to a Topcats three pointer but moments later May was fouled off. Within 15 seconds Lohfink followed him to the bench leaving Rockets with just the minimum five players to see out the last 4 minutes 36 secs......four of the guys being 18 and 19 years of age. A time to grow up and see out a quarter final was their challenge. Rockets supporters stood up to cheer them on. The bench shouted encouragement as never before and the youngsters showed just how far they've come this season.
Topcats were a single point down before Harrison Gamble hit one from two from the line. Topcats two from two from the line to tie the game on 66 points each with 2 minutes 46 left. Following so many tough referee calls Nuruzade was given a technical foul which Topcats took advantage of to take the lead by one. Normantas scored before Topcats regained the single point lead as the last minute began. Rockets stopped Topcats next two offences but missed a three pointer as the ball rimmed out so with just 25 seconds left Topcats went to the free throw line. Rockets supporters were at their noisiest and Topcats missed both shots and Aleksandravicius drove to the line, only to be fouled with 25 seconds left in the game. He hit both free throws to give Rockets the lead. Rockets stopped another Topcats offence and Nuruzade called a time out with 12.7 secs on the clock but Topcats with possession. Topcats drove to the basket but Champion stood still and firm to take the most crucial of his four charges giving Rockets possession and just 4.7 secs remaining. Rockets supporters got to their feet again but there was still a twist in the tail as Topcats defence caused Rockets to drop the ball. Topcats went to the basket, rose to score but were rejected. They collected the ball again with the same result so Rockets took a thoroughly deserved victory by 70 - 69.
The young men had done themselves proud and Rockets’ semi final place was secured. Top scorers for Rockets were Normantas 17 points, Lohfink 14 but Aleksandravicius’ and Champion's performances were outstanding ...they also both scored 11 points each.
