Arrows pull off stunning victory to top the table

Derbyshire Arrows 66 Leeds Carnegie 63

The Derbyshire Arrows u18s won an absolute thriller in Leeds to top the North East Conference with a 66-63 victory. The Arrows had played the day before in a rare double header for junior Basketball.

The first quarter started slow for the Arrows going 5-0 down before a 11-0 run by the Arrows with Matt Oakey featuring strongly scoring 7 and a weaving drive by Will Hopper earnt him an "and 1" play. Despite the strong run by the Arrows it was Leeds who pushed on with a 10-0 run to take the first quarter 15-11. But it was this point in the game that was the turning point, after a controversial end to the quarter which saw Coach Jonathan Kelly pick up a technical foul, the Arrows reacted well after the break.

Despite baskets from Nick Holt and Oakey again, Leeds extended the lead to 9 points, but as Leeds Carnegie tried to press the ball the Arrows took advantage. Guards Hopper, Oakey and Nelson Mario orchestrated the press break to almost perfection as the Arrows gave up a low number of turnovers and pulled themselves back into the game. Captain Rory Wheatcroft who was in foul trouble throughout the game, scoring a 3 point play, and a basket to get the Arrows back in the groove. The half ended 32-27 to Leeds Carnegie.

Coach Jonathan Kelly at half time talked about the "perfect striking position" away from home was between 4-8 points, and this proved to be on the money as the Arrows exploded to start the second half. The Arrows who often look to attack the basket, saw 3 points galore in the 3rd quarter with Hopper hitting 3 from 3 behind the line and Mitch Dennison contributing with a 3 of his own. But this 3 point shooting often came from the build up play by Mario and Holt who opened up these opportunites. Although the Arrows came out with a 22point quarter, it was the defense that was most noticeable. They continued to keep Leeds out of the key and force them to longer shots which weren't dropping for them. The Arrows went into the final quarter ahead 49-46.

The Arrows started the quarter with plenty of passion and drive they showed in the third quarter and baskets from Holt and a spectacular basket from Hopper dribbling around 4 players out the press to lay up the ball under pressure, gave them a great start. Leeds weren't finished with the game yet and a 3 pointer followed by a floater down the lane got them back in the game at 53-51. Nelson Mario who had been a constant pain all game for Leeds, showed more mature play as he attacked the basket to collect an "and 1" play but failed to knock down the free throw. Leeds Struck back again to bring it back to two points, but the Arrows team were playing inspired Basketball and a reverse layup for Dennison and a layup for Holt off a fantastic assist from Mario kept them edging towards the line. Arrows seemed to be in a little crisis as Nick Holt had to be subbed with cramp, and was replaced by James Wilson who made an immediate impact getting fouled and scoring both his free throws with just two minutes left to make the score 63-59. Coach Jonathan Kelly called for long offenses as Hopper controlled the pace of the game, but a score from Leeds Carnegie made the game close again bringing it back to just two points. But with the full court pressure came an opportunity for Oakey to run the floor and lay in under pressure to take the game back to 4 points. Again Leeds struck back with a mid range jumper, but as Rory Wheatcroft went to shoot with a couple seconds left on the shot clock he got fouled and sunk his first free throw to make it a 3 point game. Carnegie had two opportunities to tie the game but missed both and a rebound from Holt ended the game and a fantastic performance by the Arrows winning away from home 66-63.

Arrows Scorers; Oakey 15, Hopper 13, Holt 11, Dennison 10, Mario 9, Wheatcroft 6, Wilson 2

The final buzzer was greeted with a on court celebration by the Arrows and recognition of a great team performance. Special notice goes out to Matuezs Michalak who played his first game for the club. The Arrows next play local rivals Rotherham Hawks at KSC on the 5th November at 1:30 in what will probably be a firey encounter.