Heat back in action with winning display
Published on: 20th February 2012
Huddersfield Heat returned to league action following almost one month, and pulled off a tremendous away victory at Leeds Met Carnegie II. This Yorkshire derby also had increased significance due to the proximity of both teams in the EBL Division 3 North table, and a victory for either team would mean them going above the other in the league standings.
HUDDERSFIELD HEAT 98 (24+27+24+23)
Andrew (6), Swaine (34), Huggett (12), Irving (15), Gray (19) – Perez (2), Stanger (5), Walker (2), Treen (3), Kozlowski (0).
LEEDS MET CARNEGIE II 93 (21+20+27+25)
Scanlon (5), Useckas (25), Cepulis (26), McCann (13), Metcalf (8) – Saipe (6), Joyce (2), Hinds (4), Rodgers (4).
The game would start off at a slow pace, uncharacteristic for both these team. Joe Irving scored 6 of the Heat’s first 10 points, as they established the lead in the first quarter. However Leeds would continue to score through Useckas, Metcalf and the ever reliable Ben Cepulis. As the quarter progressed, the Heat’s big men trio of Sam Gray, John Huggett and Joel Treen began to win the battle on the boards, allowing the Heat’s offence to get second and third chance opportunities. The first quarter would end with a 3 point lead in favour of the Huddersfield men (21-24).
The second quarter would continue the same pattern with the scoring for the Heat being well balance, with guard Jason Swaine hitting 3 three pointers, and with Gray scoring 7 in the quarter. On the defensive end, John Huggett was dominating the paint on his way to an incredible 20 individual rebounds for the game, well supported by Joel Treen who would finish the game with 4 blocks. At the interval, the Heat would hold a ten point lead (41-51).
After the restart, Leeds would bravely make a series of runs to try and wrestle control of the game, but the Heat stood strong and countered every scoring run by the home team. John Huggett would come alive offensively in this quarter as he scored 8 of his 12 points in the period, with Swaine hitting another 2 threes. There was also nice production from the bench as Kingsley Walker and Luke Stanger contributed with scores. The third would end still with the advantage for the Heat (68-75).
The final quarter would be tense and close throughout. Sam Gray would again prove to be the key man offensively with another 8 points in the quarter, on his way to a season high 19 points. However, foul trouble would see Gray, Hugget and Treen all depart with 5 fouls, which would leave the Heat with a smaller unit on the floor for the last two minutes. With 30 seconds to go, veteran player-coach Eduardo Perez would be fouled, and used all his experience to hit both free throws to close out the game for the Heat.
The Heat are now next in action on Saturday, with the both mens and womens team playing against Derby Trailblazers and Stockport Falcons respectively at Rishworth.
English Basketball League – Division 3 North
|
Team |
Wins |
Void |
Points |
|||||
|
Loughborough Students Riders |
14 |
3 |
0 |
.824 |
1289 |
1010 |
279 |
28 |
|
Manchester Magic |
13 |
3 |
0 |
.813 |
1380 |
1024 |
356 |
26 |
|
Warrington Wolves |
13 |
4 |
0 |
.765 |
1287 |
1151 |
136 |
26 |
|
City Of Sheffield Saints |
11 |
5 |
0 |
.688 |
1191 |
1099 |
92 |
22 |
|
Sefton Stars |
9 |
8 |
0 |
.529 |
1070 |
1124 |
-54 |
18 |
|
Derby Trailblazers II |
9 |
9 |
0 |
.500 |
1334 |
1326 |
8 |
18 |
|
Sheffield Sabres |
8 |
8 |
0 |
.500 |
1105 |
1070 |
35 |
16 |
|
Nottingham Hoods |
6 |
11 |
0 |
.353 |
1058 |
1091 |
-33 |
12 |
|
Huddersfield Heat |
5 |
10 |
0 |
.333 |
1188 |
1303 |
-115 |
10 |
|
Leeds Carnegie II |
4 |
10 |
0 |
.286 |
937 |
1025 |
-88 |
8 |
|
Shropshire Warriors |
4 |
12 |
0 |
.250 |
1013 |
1238 |
-225 |
8 |
|
Stockport Falcons |
2 |
15 |
0 |
.118 |
956 |
1347 |
-391 |
4 |
