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Summer League Week Four Report
Summer League Week Five Information
Team Award Winners
Gladiators Joshua Tedore “Excellent effort and hustle” Trojans Michael Stevenson “Improved each week and always tried to do what was asked” Warriors Christopher May “Fantastic effort and energy”
Cougars Gavin Short “Several outstanding individual performances” Lions Lewis Coles “100% hustle and effort and always had fun” Wolves Sam Elliot “Continually improved offensively and great effort in defence”
Comets Scott Gubbins “Stepped up in big games and always tried what was asked” Galaxy Tom Eads “100% concentration = some great performances” Suns Lewis Daly “Excellent defence and never stopped running”
Summer League Week Four Report
The penultimate week of the Dorset Storm Summer League 08 took place this weekend at Rossmore Leisure Centre. There was everything to play for as all four leagues were wide open and could still be won by anybody.
In the opening Mini League match of the day the Gladiators took on the table
topping Trojans. It was the Gladiators who started the stronger playing some
impressive defence – this amazingly resulted in their
Next up it was the Intermediate League with the Cougars and the Wolves facing
each other first. Despite a quick start from the Cougars which saw them race
into a 6 – 0 lead, it was the Wolves who looked the
Next up was the Junior League, with the Comets and the Galaxy facing each other
first. A tight first half with many lead changes occurred with the Comets
looking to push the ball without the presence of a big
Summer League Week Three Report
Week three of the Summer League was going to be a crucial week as teams in all four leagues looked to keep their chances of being champions alive.
The opening match of the day was a Mini League game between the Warriors and the
Gladiators. The
The Intermediate League got underway with the table topping Lions playing the
Cougars. This week from Dan Cohen and Oli Heath helped get the Wolves started. A couple more baskets from Sam Elliot saw the Wolves able to take the lead heading in to the half time break 7 - 13. It was Sam Elliot and Oli Heath who stole the show in the second half as the two combined for 18 points to guide the Wolves to a crucial win. After Week Three, there is all to play for as just eight points separate the table topping Cougars from the last placed Wolves.
Next up it was the Junior League with the yet to win Stars versus the Comets. A
tight opening first half saw
Week two of the Dorset Storm Summer League got underway this weekend with plenty to play for after a very open and unpredictable opening week. With a couple of last minute absentees perhaps a few upsets could be on the books?
To open the Intermediate League in Week Two, it was the Wolves versus
Lions. Neither team got off to the best start but back to back baskets from
David Rudenko saw the Lions take the lead 5 – 9. It was a
The Galaxy and the Stars were up next to start Week Two of the Junior League.
Josh Mann making his first appearance in the Summer League opened the scoring as
he gave the Stars an early 4 – 0 lead. That lead soon became 12 – 4 at which
point the Galaxy called a timeout to try and sort themselves out. The score
rate of the Lions did eventually slow down, although 6 points in a row from Alex
Nicoll allowed the Stars to hold on to their lead 20 – 14 at the half. The
tables turned in the second half though, as the
The Dorset Storm Summer League 2008 returned this weekend, seeing over 110 players involved in an exciting day of basketball.
In the first match of the day, the Gladiators and Trojans faced each other in the Mini League. Despite being short on players the Gladiators lived up to their name and battled hard, trailing by just two points at the half. Some great defence from Trojans’ Kieran Docherty slowed down the Gladiators in the second half as the Trojans were the first team to win in the 2008 Summer League. In the second game the Trojans looked to keep their momentum going as they faced the Warriors. Despite fighting all the way to the end, the Warriors could not score enough points to threaten their opponents as the Trojans won their second game of the day. In the third and final Mini League game of the day the two loosing teams would face each other. The Warriors looked clear favourites as the Gladiators had so few players available. The game was in the balance throughout, with just four points separating the teams going into the final few minutes. Then it became the ‘Michael’ show as first Michael Foley scored six points back to back followed by Michael Hester scoring four of his own as the Gladiators powered away from the Trojans in the final few minutes.
Up next were the Intermediate teams and first up it would be the Cougars versus the Wolves. A tight and nervy opening few minutes eventually subsided as the teams began to flow better towards the half time interval although the score still only read 11 – 8 to the Wolves. The second half picked up though as Gavin Short and George Payne fought hard to get their team back into the game. Despite their best effort, it was the balanced team approach from the Wolves, which saw seven different players scoring, which came through victorious on the day. Next up it was the Wolves versus the Lions. Once again a tense opening slowly dispersed as the Lions outworked their opponents with some outstanding hustle. Wolves’ Henry Baker did not want to loose his first game of the day and piled in eight first half points to keep his team within one at the half. David Rudenko and Seb Darby came alive in the second half combining to score ten points and in the end lead the Lions to victory in their opening match. The final match of the Intermediate League saw the Cougars return to take on the Lions. The first half was close with the both teams playing good basketball and the hustle and effort on defence being clear for all to see. By the mid way point of the second half, the two big men for the Cougars – Gavin Short and George Payne – had fouled out of the contest, literally one after the other. This left the Cougars severely exposed and the Lions pounced; Charlie Ewels dominated the boards and poured in the points, ably supported by Jack Heaslip and Michael Foley as the Cougars recorded their second win of the day with a record 39 – 18 score line.
The final youth league of the day saw the three Junior teams compete against each other. Up first it was the Comets and the Galaxy! The Comets started the better of the teams as Dean Grey and Rhys Barton slashed to the basket for early scores. By the time Oli Robinson made the scores 17 – 5, it was time for a timeout for the Galaxy. Jamie Lines came out firing, and brought the Galaxy back into the game. Further scores from Dean Grey towards the end of the half kept the Comets in front as the half approached. Galaxy started the second half with renewed focus and that was clearly evident in their defensive play – David Christopher excelled as he rattled in 8 of the first 10 points of the second half. The Comets had a timeout and looked more focused but even so they were still finding it hard to score. As the game remained close to the final few minutes, it was the experience of Jamie Lines and Chris Baker who came through at the death for the Galaxy as they took the opening match in the Junior League. The Galaxy were to play again in the second match of the Junior League. Another slow start ensued for the Galaxy, and again an early timeout was called for the Galaxy as Joel Osborne put the Stars up 10 – 3 in their first game of the day. Two further scores from Lewis Daly following the timeout did not impress the Galaxy as they headed into half time struggling to find a way to put the ball in the hoop, trailing 22- 16. In the second half, Galaxy came alive; an increased defensive effort once again produced the spark as it took along time for the Stars to register their first score of the half. The Stars continued to struggle for the rest of the game with only three players scoring (Lewis Daly 11, Joel Osborne 11 and James Hilton 10) they could not match the balanced attack from the Galaxy who had Jamie Lines (18) and Tom Eads (15) in double digits. In the final match of the Junior League the two loosing teams would face each other. It was the Comets who got off to the quicker start as Gavin Short and Charlie Power came out firing. The Stars fought back but still trailed 23 – 15 at the half. The game tightened up in the second half and with Oli Robinson fouling out with several minutes remaining it looked like the Stars could claim the game. Charlie Power and Martyn Williams responded and combined for the Comets final nine points of the game as they just managed to hang on to the lead to take the win.
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© Copyright 2006 Dorset Storm Basketball Club
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opponents
being scoreless at the half! Liam Callebout broke the duck for the Trojans
early in the second half, but some unrelenting defensive play from the
Gladiators ensured that they could hand the first defeat of the tournament to
the Trojans. Match two saw the Trojans and the Warriors face each other.
Michael Stevenson got the Trojans off to a fast start with the opening two
baskets of the match. Ashton Thomson and Amy Stoddard brought their team back
and it was the Warriors who held the lead at the end of the first. The match
remained tight in the second half, but a quick burst from the Warriors - which
saw four different players score - with just a few minutes remaining handed them
the victory 18 – 25. The final match of the day saw the Gladiators take on the
Warriors. Early on the match lived up to its billing with nothing separating
the teams throughout the first half. Amy Stoddard and Jordan James came to life
early in the second half as they propelled the Warriors into the lead. The
Gladiators kept working hard and began to rebound the ball better as Michael
Foley pulled his team back to within two with a minute remaining. Following a
timeout from the Warriors the Gladiators came up with a score thanks to Michael
Hester to tie the game. A couple of possessions followed with neither team
scoring. With just twenty seconds remaining the Gladiators had the basketball
and it was Michael Hester who found himself with some time and space to slot
home what would turn out to be the winning basket and hand the Gladiators a 30 –
28 win. This means that there is only one win separating the top team from the
two bottom teams – so it will all go down to the final week, and potentially the
last match between the Trojans and the Gladiators.
steadier of the two teams as they took the lead heading into the half. A couple
of quick baskets from Gavin Short and George Payne brought the Cougars back, but
Henry Baker and Dan Cohen combined for 13 second half points to guide the Wolves
to a 29 – 36 victory. Next up it was the Wolves versus the Lions. The match
started at a frantic pace with some excellent shooting as both teams poured in
the points. Henry Baker and Oli Heath were in great form as they combined for
18 first half points giving the Wolves a 22 – 20 half time lead. The Lions came
back hard in the second half as David Rudenko and Charlie Ewels scored with
ease. The Lions also tightened up their defence allowing only eight second half
points from the Wolves and this was the key as they won 30 – 38. The final
Intermediate League match would see the Cougars face the Lions. Neither team
hit top form early on as a tight first half followed which the Lions edged 14 –
16. Both teams played some good basketball as the teams exchanged blows
throughout the half setting up a tense final couple of minutes. Both teams held
their nerve from the free throw line (each shooting 2/2) but in the end it was a
couple of good defensive plays that forced the Lions to take tough shots that
allowed the Cougars to take the victory and keep their place at the top of the
table. Heading into the final weekend the Cougars sit top of the league but as
with the Mini League any team could finish anywhere meaning its all to play for!
man. Heading
into the half it was the Comets who held the lead, 17 – 16. For much of the
second half there was again nothing to separate the teams and with just over two
minutes remaining it was the Comets who held the lead 36 – 32. Two foul shots
from Tom Eads halved the deficit and gave the Galaxy a chance to press. This
press forced a turnover and handed the Galaxy the momentum. The Comets
struggled to cope with the added energy from the Galaxy as further baskets from
Tom Eads and Jamie Lines sealed an amazing comeback win for the Galaxy. Next up
it was the Galaxy against the Stars – the Stars needing a victory to keep their
title hopes alive. It started well for the Stars who took an early lead as both
teams shot outstandingly in the opening minutes. David Christopher and Chris
Baker brought the Galaxy close, but the Stars led at the half, 26 – 22. The
Stars maintained their lead for the majority of the second half, but with just
under three minutes remaining a Tom Eads foul shot again set up an opportunity
for the Galaxy to press. They again forced a couple of turnovers which allowed
them to close the gap and further scores in the final minute from Jamie Lines
and Tom Eads saw the Galaxy steal their second victory of the day. The final
Junior League match of the day would see the Comets take on the Stars. Early on
the match was slow to get going as both teams appeared tired and unable to take
control of the basketball. Just over half way through the first half, six
unanswered points from Adam Kay spurred the Comets into the lead backed up by a
Charlie Power ‘triple’ saw the impetus at the half was with the Comets. A coupe
of early baskets from James Hilton and Harmony Wong saw the Stars fight back,
but the best defensive team in the league showed why they are as they tightened
their hold on the match. Rhys Barton and Scott Gubbins played particularly well
during the second half as the Comets poured in the points in the final few
minutes to take their first victory of the day. 
only
point registered in the opening five minutes was a Michael Foley free throw, but
things did get going towards the end of the first half as the Warriors edged it
8 - 7. In the second half the Gladiators stepped up though as Ashton Thomson
scored back to back baskets to extend the Warriors lead. Despite a good effort,
the Gladiators gave the ball away far too often and far too easily as Warriors
took their first victory 20 – 11. Match two would see the Gladiators take on
the Trojans. The Gladiators appeared to have lost the fight that they displayed
during Week One and Week Two as Kieran Docherty and Michael Stevenson blew away
the defence to race the Trojans into a 20 – 7 half time lead. It looked like
Trojans would take another win from this game. Not so, as Michael Foley came
out in the second half to score 15 points and with the help of Max Palmer-Malt,
who scored the game tying basket, the Gladiators managed not to loose the game!
That result meant that the final match between the Warriors and the Trojans
would be crucial to see who could come out on top with two weeks remaining. The
Warriors started the stronger of the two teams as Tom Hennessy and Amy Stoddard
got off to quick starts. Michael Stevenson provided the answers for the Trojans
with five first half points to bring the scores closer together but, it was
still the Warriors that were leading 14 – 12. A tense opening to the second
half ensued as neither team could find the basket. With a couple of minutes
remaining Ashton Thomson scored what looked like a crucial basket to put
Warriors up 20 – 15. Two back-to-back baskets from Kieran Docherty drew the
Trojans closer to set up a tense final minute. The ball went from end to end
and with twenty second to go there was a basket… scored by Liam Callebout and
that gave the Trojans their first win of the day. The final result meant that
the Trojans remained top, but the Warriors and Gladiators have closed the gap
behind them. 
though, it was the Lions who were due to be short handed and without their two
biggest players they struggled to contain the athletic Cougars team. To their
credit the Lions never stopped fighting but in the opening game the Cougars ran
away with the win. Match two saw the Cougars face the Wolves. A tight opening
half saw neither team able to break away with some good battles all over the
court. At the end of the first the scores were tied at 12. In the second half
things started off in much the same way, until a brace of baskets from Dan
Whisken followed by a George Payne basket handed the initiative to the Cougars
who never looked back. Those six points would prove to be enough as the Cougars
won their fourth match in a row, 26 – 20. In the final game of the Intermediate
League, the Lions and Wolves would meet with the Wolves needing to win if the
league was to remain ‘winnable’ by any team. Seb Darby though dampened those
hopes early on with two scores but points
both
team trade baskets and nobody was able to take the initiative with the Stars
edging it 17 – 15. It was the Stars who began the brighter of the two teams as
Joel Osborne started the second half with good rhythm. The out of sorts Comets
faded fast in the closing minutes as five points from Joel Osborne and a basket
from James Hilton secured the first win of the tournament for the Stars. Coming
off the back of that disappointing result the Comets were due to play against
the unbeaten Galaxy next. It was the Galaxy who held the initiative early as
Jamie Lines and Tom Eads got them off to a good start. Martyn Williams and Oli
Robinson lead the Comets fight back and by half time they had narrowed the
deficit to three, with the score 17 – 20. Charlie Power quickly tied the game
up with an ‘and-one’ before Gavin Short and Oli Robinson stretched the game out
in favour of the Comets. Despite a last minute rally from the Galaxy it was the
Comets who held on to hand the Galaxy their first defeat. To complete Week
Three of the Junior League the Stars would face the Galaxy. The Stars raced off
to a 7 – 2 lead but the Galaxy soon responded with Jamie Lines scoring eight in
a row. By the half the Galaxy had erased the early deficit to lead 17 – 24.
The Galaxy’s onslaught did not stop their though as Tom Eads and Ryan Burton
poured in 17 second half points to guide the Galaxy to a huge 25 – 49 victory.
With the Galaxy unable to maintain their 100% record the League is still open
for anybody to win. However, next weeks match between the Galaxy and the Comets
might be a crucial one in deciding who will be crowned champions of Summer
League II.
The
first game saw unbeaten Trojans play the so far winless Warriors. A good start
from the Warriors team saw them take an early 6 – 0 lead. Despite a timeout and
some good basketball from the Trojans, it was the Warriors who held the lead at
the half, 7 – 10. The Trojans came out more aggressive in the second half as
Kieran Docherty forced his way to the basket to give his team the lead, 16 – 14
with one minute to play. A hectic final minute contained only one more basket
and that came from the Warriors Jordan James who tied the game at 16… in this
league draws count, so that is how it finished. In the second game of the day
the Warriors faced the short handed Gladiators. The Gladiators came out the
stronger of the two teams. Jordan James again led the way for the Warriors as
some good defence allowed them to hold onto the lead from the third minute to
the end of the game. The final match of the Mini League this week saw the
Trojans take on the Gladiators. The match started at a fast pace with Max
Palmer-Malt and Kieran Docherty scoring the opening six points for their
respective sides. The Trojans eventually pulled away as the first half
concluded. The Gladiators came fighting back in the second half but in the
final few minutes a brace of baskets from Joel Bell helped the Trojans maintain
their lead to the end of the match. All this means that the Trojans maintain
their position at the top of the league, followed by Warriors and the Gladiators
who are separated by only two points.
lead that the Lions were able to hold onto for the rest of the half as
scores from a variety of players contributed to the teams tally. In the
second half the Wolves looked lost, with numerous turnovers allowing the
Lions to steal the show and rack up a total of 35 points. The second match
in the Intermediate League saw the Lions and the Cougars face off. It
appeared during the first half that the Lions must have had too much to eat
last night as they really failed to turn up as they were outscored 5 – 23 in
the first half. They came back fighting in the second half, playing tougher
defence and pushing the ball to create fast break opportunities. Five
different players rattled in scores during the second half – meaning that
all their players had scored in the game as they won the second half 16 –
7. It was not good enough to take the win but as Coach Mann commented, it
wasn’t a bad effort from the Lions when you consider the half time score.
Finally it was the Wolves versus the Cougars to finish off Week Two of the
Intermediate League. Early on neither team took control of the ball game as
baskets were exchanged at both ends of the court. At the half it was the
Cougars who held a slender lead 18 – 21. At the start of the second half
one team came out and gained total control of the game through good defence
and smart decision making at the offensive end of the court. That team was
the Cougars who produced an amazing second half performance, out scoring
their opponents 10 – 22 to take their first win of the tournament 28 - 43.
Despite wining both games on the day, the Cougars still trail the Lions who
stay at the top with the Wolves sitting in third place in the table just one
win behind.
Galaxy
looked like a completely different team. More aggression at the defensive end
of the court saw easy scoring chances created for the Galaxy. In fact the
defensive effort was so stingy from the Galaxy that the Stars only managed 6
second half points – all from Lewis Daly as they crashed out 33 – 26 allowing
the Galaxy to maintain their 100% record. The second match in the Junior League
saw the Stars play the Comets. A tight opening half saw neither team take
control but a couple of cheap scores from offensive rebounds saw the Comets take
the momentum into the half time break. A couple of quick scores from James
Hilton and Josh Mann combined with a three from Alex Nicoll brought the Stars
within reach of their opponents. Control of the match swung from team to team
until the final couple of minutes when Oli Robinson made a couple of big scores
including an “and-one” to seal a 34 – 29 victory for the Comets. The final
match of the Junior League saw the Galaxy and the Comets play. Both teams
exchanged baskets throughout much of the first half, with a Charlie Power three
squaring the scores at 19 with a couple of minutes to play in the half. Then
the Galaxy hit three threes, first David Christopher, then two from Chris Baker
to take a nine point lead into the half time break. Eight second half points
from Jamie Lines and some tough defence in the key from the Galaxy kept the
Comets at bay. Those nine points to close the first half proved crucial with
the score finishing 44 – 35 to the Galaxy. This meant that the Galaxy topped
the league holding onto their unbeaten record, albeit only just. The Comets sit
in second place and the Stars bring up the rear but will look forward to
fielding their full strength team for the first time next weekend.