EBL Division 1 Westminster Warriors 62 Reading Rockets 89
Saturday 18th February 2012 Tip off 6 pm Moberly Sports Centre
Though extremely disappointed to find that their Lithuanian guard Kastytis Normantas is to undergo an operation on his hamstring that will keep out for the rest of the season, a team already depleted in number due to the success of Rockets Under 18s reaching the SureShot Under 18 Final in Manchester, took to the floor in Westminster full of confidence and determined to secure a Play-off spot.
Rockets began at a fast pace surprising the Londoners. Ryan Lohfink blocked their first offence, rejected their second and then scored with a spin move to impose himself and Rockets on the game. When Rockets caused Westminster into a 24 second violation moments later and Lewis Champion went on his first drive, the scene had been set. Robbie Parker hit a trademark three pointer and Westminster's coach was given a technical foul. Rockets were strong on the boards as Lohfink scored again off a clinical inbound by Parker to go 8 - 2 up. Rockets were called for fouls after stout defence from which Westminster scored to keep in touch with Rockets at the first break 18 - 12. Though only 8 players in number, each had experienced the court by the first break and 5 of them had troubled the scorers.
Harrison Gamble scored his first points early in quarter two as Champion scored again with a determined drive. Another 24 second violation by Westminster showed Rockets’ tight defence which saw Westminster not score till half way through this period...and then only from the free throw line. A superb arrow pass by Parker found Lohfink open under the basket for two more points moments before a Luke Nelson drive and dish to Champion saw the youngsters pour more trouble on Westminster. When Champion copied the move and dished to Parker he hit another three pointer to extend Rockets lead to 9 points. A couple of threes by Westminster reduced their deficit but a Nelson drive for two coupled to a great drive and pass to Gamble way out wide saw him hit a buzzer beating three as Rockets went to the locker room 38 - 28 in the lead.
This third period saw Rockets at their most dominant as they piled on 30 points to Westminster's 14 and effectively knocked the stuffing out of their opponents. Rockets were strong and effective everywhere and were executing their game plan of working hard inside. This saw Lohfink score twelve points in this ten minutes as seven players also scored. Champion is now well established in this squad and playing his role extremely well though it's his first season at the Senior level. He choreographed much of what Rockets did, which was pleasing for the supporters, team mates and Head Coach. Nelson benefited from a Champion release to score a slam dunk as Rockets went 48 - 32 into the lead, A bounce pass from Parker to Lohfink saw him score again as Rockets had a 19 lead midway through the quarter. They were in team foul trouble though so Westminster went to the line to reduce the deficit but Sam Simon scored off his own rebound and debutant Sam Oughton scored with a jump shot before he exquisitely gave a pass to Parker to see Rockets 68 - 42 up.
Champion dominated the first minutes of the fourth quarter with drives which took him to the line where he was successful on each attempt. He then made a length of the court pass to Simon who failed to score but got the rebound. The contest was really over after the superb third quarter but Rockets still fought on with great team work. Key moments were a Gamble lay up, a Nelson three before he was fouled out, a Gamble finger roll, Champion finishing his own drive with a two, and an Oughton offensive rebound. It was an excellent team performance with every player scoring for Rockets, five of them finishing in double figures. Lohfink was outstanding in his finishing and Champion was confident.
Top scorers for Rockets were Ryan Lohfink 27, Lewis Champion 16 and Robbie Parker 14.
