“Two out of Three Ain’t Bad”

“English Institute of Sport, Sheffield – 3rd April 2011
 
Knights vs Manchester Mavericks
The Knights Juniors were at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield for the Lord’s Taverners Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Play-Off Finals. The young Knights were confident of doing well after a successful second place finish in the Junior League and were looking forward to facing unfamiliar opponents form across the country. First up were the Manchester Mavericks and the Knights inside shooters Dane and Conor Browne quickly put pressure on their opponents’ basket as the Knights raced to a 12 point lead, the Knights were in complete control at this stage but then fell foul to the controversial junior rule of one penalty point being awarded in the act of shooting. The referees were making good use of this rule shooting or not as the Mavericks were awarded 4 penalty points scoring only one basket to the Knights 6 but still managed to finish the Half 12 points to 6. The Second half started as the first ended as more penalty points went against the Knights, this was coupled with the now in form Mavericks point guard who to his credit knocked down some lovely outside shots. With the game stretched the Knights used Luke Marshall’s pace to good effect but the Mavericks responded well, both teams had their chances but it was the Mavericks who took the lead with one minute on the clock. The Knights were shell-shocked and just couldn’t compose themselves in the remaining seconds to swing the game there way. It was a difficult defeat to accept as the young Knights out shot their opponents by 3 baskets and still lost the game 20 points to 18.

 

Knights vs Thames Valley Kings
The second game of the day started slow for both teams as the early shots failed to register any points, the Kings had played the Knights many times before and had worked an effective plan to take out the Knights main inside shooter. The Kings took the lead and were working really hard to retain it and deservedly led at the break. The Knights made a few changes at half time and came out with the determination not to get beat. The Knights were playing much better and Conn Nagle brought the game level at 9 points each as the clock ran down for overtime. The Kings players heads dropped as the Knights took control of the game first with a foul on shot and neat basket to finish the game 12 -9 to the Knights.

 

Knights vs Wakefield Whirlwinds
The final game of the day was a cracker with both teams going for the win trading basket for basket. The Whirlwinds were much bigger and stronger than the Knights but as we know the young Knights enjoy mixing it up with the bigger guys and the give them a lesson in how to pass and move the ball around and at this stage they were playing some lovely basketball. With two minutes remaining the fight was on to get the winning basket and team Cameron Campbell shot a sweet outside shot to take the lead again the Whirlwinds height advantage paid off as they stole a basket to level the game 15 points each. The first period of overtime was a nervous affair as both teams missed shots at both ends. The game came alive again for the Knights as they were back to the neat passing and movement that pleased the watching crowd earlier, Coach Steven “Lefty” McAleese obviously had given ball handler Eoin Nagle clear instructions not to rush the shot and as the defence broke Jack Agnew nipped in the key, yelled for the pass and got it to shot the basket, “foul” called the referee and with the basket good the Knights went 3 points in front. Eoin Nagle held the ball well and the Knights created chances with the fast break from Conn and Luke. The Knights were now running down the clock with 7 seconds on the clock the Knights had possession at the base line and they worked the ball to Cameron to hold it to see out the last 2 seconds, bizarrely the referee called “seconds” to the amusement of the watching crowd having just seen the clock start at 7 seconds. With the resulting sideline possession the Whirlwinds set up their big guys for a 3 point play, 2 seconds wasn’t enough and the game ended 18-15 deservedly to the Knights.

 
The Knights were unlucky not to reach the medal stage this year but this team has a few years left together and can look forward to more big games, in the end it was a credible 5th place from 20 teams. It was Cameron Campbell’s last game at U15 level, Cameron has given 4 fantastic years to the Knights U15’s and has been a great Captain in his last year, he has always been one of the top scorers since joining the team showing a great eye for the outside shot. We wish Cameron the very best for next year stepping up to U19 level, “good luck Cameron”.