Battling Tigers crash to champs (From Somerset County Gazette)

Battling Tigers crash to champs

3:09pm Wednesday 3rd December 2008

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EBL Division 1: Manchester Magic 79, Taunton Tigers 52 A SERIOUSLY under-sized and under-strength Tigers team fought bravely against champions Manchester before going down 79-52.

Head coach Ronnie Heath refused to risk players recovering from injuries for the journey ahead of must-win home games against Teeside and Cardiff, instead choosing to give opportunities to young developing players.

Heath was confident those players hungry for minutes would frustrate Manchester with intensity on defence.

Indeed restricting them to 15 points in the first quarter kept Tigers in the contest, but Taunton consistently struggled at the other end of the floor.

Poor player and ball movement meant good looks at the basket were hard to come by for the whole of the first half.

Offensive problems were compounded by the absence of both Andersons, Seeley and Rickwood – four of their top scorers.

Manchester, one of the powerhouses of British basketball, possess three of the best guards in the league, and Gill (ten points), Adu (21) and Kimbrough (13) consistently gave Taunton problems at both ends of the floor as the Magic eased to a 35-17 half-time lead.

The young Tigers quickly adjusted to the pace and went on to win the fourth quarter, restoring confidence and pride.

Tad Gray, Mike Sebire and junior Sean Clifford all stepped up to support Joe Andrews, who made all of his 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Heath quickly turned his attention to the home game with Teesside Mohawks.

He said: “Teesside will be buzzing after their 92-80 win against a strong Derby team but we hope to be back to full-strength by Sunday afternoon.

“I know their coach Dougie pretty well and he will have them very motivated.”

Taunton, who have won three games in the National Trophy against Division One opposition, have yet to notch a victory in the league so will be desperate for a good performance at the weekend.

The club are providing extra seating as the game is expected to be the first sell-out of the season.

Supporters are encouraged to arrive before 3.30pm to avoid disappointment.

Tickets on the door are £4 for adults and £2 for children for Sunday’s 4pm tip-off at Wellsprings Leisure Centre.

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