Lions Rue Misses

Photos by Paul Gaythorpe

Middlesbrough Lions suffered another 20+ defeat at the hands of Wirral Hornets. It was yet again a game that Lions left the court feeling they could have and should have won, but having felt the same way in the previous losses to Bury and Durham its high time for the Middlesbrough outfit to start backing up these claims.

Yes, Lions have had a tough opening with Hull in the cup, a faultless display by Durham in the league and a strong performance from Bury and now third placed Wirral Hornets and yes Lions are beginning to gel and perform themselves and yes its only three games into a twenty game season but its only so long before the excuses run out.

Against Wirral, Lions again looked composed at the start with good ball movement and openings creating from good player movement, a nice pass from James Thomson found the wide open Michael Peddie in the first minute to give Lions a 3-0 start after Acho Anyigbo hit a free throw.

In the second minute, Hornets leader Chris Whitehead drove to the basket for 2pts and shortly after was followed by Tom Wilkinson converting 2 of 4 free throws. Baskets were then traded by both sides until the seventh minute when Wirral produced a 9-0 run to take the scores to 9-17 in favour of the visitors. The only solitude from a poor finish being a buzzer beating off balance 3 pointer from Lions’ Ryon Dixon.

In the second quarter one identified problem for Lions was forcing the pass, with Hornets continuing to pick the pockets of Middlesbrough and add 8pts in the first five minutes, Lions only response being a drive from Lee Norton. Whitehead was proving the thorn in Middlesbrough’s side and whether alone or through a crowd was managing to work his way to the hoop. In the sixth minute Lions big man; Dean Hanson, who was enjoying a good game at the defensive end with 6 rebounds already put in a basket under pressure but the home team were still down 11pts, 16-27. A foul by Lions Thomson placed Sean Whitehead to the line where he converted both attempts and this signalled a further three shooting fouls for Hornets with Lions feeling a little hard done by. The resulting conversion was just 3 of 6 but this took Hornets to an 18pts lead. Lions were also reeling from some of the officials decisions and this proved unhealthy for the team as they lost focus on the game.

A late flurry from Lions rescued 6pts as Peddie, Norton and Warriner contributed. Unfortunately for Norton his second basket of the game would represent his last as the usually potent guard struggled with 2 of 19 shot attempts. At half time the scores were 22-36 in favour of the visitors. An unsavoury incident at the end of the half saw the experienced Sean Whitehead of Hornets drop a shoulder into 18 year old Peddie’s face, although the refs didn’t see the incident and despite a vocal crowd and Lions bench reaction, there would be no reprimand.

The third quarter was Lions best, unfortunately their best was to tie the Hornets period score of 19. A full court man to man defence was intended to deny the inbound pass and contain the ball and the Lions were just not quick enough at picking up their players. Even when containing the players fouls were given against Lions at a puzzling rate. Ryon Dixon and Acho Anyigbo put in a good shift for Middlesbrough but in a period that Lions were beginning to play well they were disrupted as Hornets were put to the line for an incredible 12 free throws and Lions having none. Lions though were at least converting their baskets with Rob Parsons hitting two shots from mid range in the eighth minute which made amends for an earlier spell of three rushed shots. The defence was also shaping up as they limited Hornets to just five baskets, the rest of the points coming via free throws.

In the ninth minute, frustration crept into Warriner resulting in the pushing off Chris Whitehead to the floor, earning an unsportsmanlike call from the refs. Warriner said after the game “I was really annoyed that our players were getting pushed about and receiving no calls, yet we were being called for the slightest thing. I retaliated at yet another foul on me and I know I shouldn’t have done, but you can only take so much.”

Michael Peddie wrapped up affairs with two baskets including an incredible off balance lay up which was delivered under contact resulting in an almost blind shot which spun off the glass and into the hoop. Amazingly there was no call for the foul. Lions had everything to do, down 14, 41-55.

The fourth and final quarter saw Ciaran Green open the period with a strong drive. This was quickly responded to by Lions Anyigbo who muscled his way to the basket for 2pts. Sean Whitehead would then continue his battle with young Peddie and after making a mid range shot continued to taunt his marker, although Peddie would finish the better man in both stats and grace. In the second minute a dangerous foul by Collin Cook saw the Hornet move under Lions Anyigbo as he was in the air, resulting in the African landing awkwardly in a concerning moment. A repeat of this occurred in the fourth minute, this time by Barden and although unsportsmanlike fouls were not given Lions were happy enough to at least receive the calls.

In between this drama Dixon found his range with two huge 3’s to rally Lions although Anyigbo was proving the spark as a great pass from Peddie connected with a cutting Anyigbo for a monster dunk, although to the disappointment of the crowd was disallowed due to a foul by Hornets Cook. Anyigbo would suffer from the line, finishing with 4 of 11 attempts. Hornets amid the chaos were continuing to provide calculated order with five different players providing 10pts in the first five minutes. In the sixth minute; Warriner was fouled out for Lions and will be disappointed with his below par performance. In his defence he led the team in assists, one ahead of Thomson on 4, proving he is still a capable player despite his dip in form.

A single free throw from Thomson in the sixth minute would be the last points accumulated by Lions as Wirral produced another 11pts to wrap up the game, 6 of these from free throws. Wirral were by no means a dirty team and produced a solid performance that was worthy of the 22pt victory.

An overview of the game revealed Lions actually tied the open floor shooting with both teams making 23 shots. Lions also took 21 more attempts than Hornets 53 which indicates Lions misses cost them at least 50pts when considering 3pt attempts, this being the difference between a comfortable victory and a heavy loss. Lions felt hard done by with the fouls, having received a mammoth 30 calls, while Wirral received just 14 and the home team may have a small case, especially when of the 14 Wirral fouls, 8 were in the final quarter, yet the Wirral display was consistent throughout. The resulting free throws for Hornets provided 24 additional points and should have been more as the visitors attempted an incredible 41. Lions managed just 8 free throws from 22 attempts and 14 of these were in the final quarter.

Despite the disappointment of the home team, the refs are not the reason Lions lost the game. If Lions had made just 50% of their free throws and 50% of their floor shooting they would have scored 84pts, enough for a 6pt win.

The positives to come from the game on Lions part are the offence seems to be working with good movement of players and ball leading to decent shot selection for the most part. The areas for improvement are accuracy, defensive alertness and free throws.

Acho Anyigbo was the key man for Lions with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks and had good support from Ryon Dixon on 12 points and 50% shooting from 3 point range but the spark for Lions was the inspirational display from 18 year old Michael Peddie who hit 11 points with a 60% conversion and a number of highlight plays.

For the game MVP; 19 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals from Chris Whitehead earned the honour with 30% from the floor. The only fault in a great game being just 55% from the foul line.

Lions continue their tough start to the season with the visit of second placed Hull Wasps to Eston Sports Academy on Sunday 15th November. Tip off is at 4pm and tickets are on sale now at £8 adults and £5 children although a season long special offer of half price is available when accompanied by a voucher from www.middlesbroughlions.co.uk