National League U16's -

Press Release 31.01.08

ILKESTON OUTLAWS 70 BLACK COUNTRY WOLVES 72      

It was a heartbreaking defeat for the Ilkeston Outlaws Under 16 team on Saturday as they went down by a slender 2 points to the Black Country Wolves at the Wilenhall Sports College. It was a closely fought and very exciting game where baskets were traded end to end by these evenly matched teams. Ilkeston got off to a flying start with the 2 opening baskets  being 3 pointers from Ben Hallam and Tom Goshawk. However the opening quarter was tainted when Ilkeston's England squad player Ben Morley picked up 3 early fouls which meant he had to be benched to ensure his presence later in the game. This allowed the Black Country big men to establish themselves under the boards and pull themselves back into the game.

 By half time the visitors were four points up and playing great basketball at both ends of the court. However as the second half got underway the Outlaws could not shake off the opposition and at the third quarter break were just one point up. A disastrous start to the last quarter saw Black Country score eight points unanswered and the game appeared to be slipping away. Tom Goshawk then hit three 3 point shots in successive offences and the game was back on until the Black Country big men went back in for another 6 points and the Outlaws could not reply.

 It was a great team effort from the Outlaws squad who all fought hard to try and get that first elusive away victory. Within the team effort another huge haul of 3 point scores from Tom Goshawk helped the effort massively where for the second time this season he made 10 of them count.