Chasers Match Reports 2009-10
Chasers Dig Deep to Clinch Victory
Chasers 59 v 57 Aztec Lemmings
Chasers eventually triumphed in a nail biting final, coming
back from a 13 point deficit to level the scores at 45 apiece at the end of
normal time. This was not a game for the faint hearted and the Chasers had to
dig deep to find that little bit extra to press past the Lemmings and hang on
in the dying seconds to secure a famous victory. Stats are available and a full
match report will follow.
Chasers Roar into Final
Chasers 63 v 45 Slough Scorpions
A superb all round team performance
saw the Chasers storm past the Scorpions to earn a well deserved place in the
Karl Taylor Plate Final against Aztec Lemmings on May16th.
There was little to
separate the teams in the first 2 quarters, but an inspired surge in the third
saw The Chasers open up a 14 point lead through a succession of baskets from
Dan Marshall, Pete Rabczuk and Ryan Haliday and from that point they never
looked back. The more established Chasers gelled well and were ably supported
by Craig Mathema and Dom Sammut who are graduating from the U18s.
A pleasing finale to what
has been a difficult season.
Chasers hit Form!
Chasers 64 v 61 Aztec Jaguars
The taste of victory is always sweet, but no more so than
after a long run of reverses. Chasers finally pulled it all together with a
magnificent team effort to wrench victory from a persistent and often physical
Aztecs team, who were as hungry for the win as the Chasers were. Whilst the
personnel were much the same, the Chasers team that showed up today
demonstrated a level of commitment and team work hitherto unseen this season.
This was a scrap that the Chasers were determined to win and
the match was an entertaining spectacle to the neutral observer, with barely 4
points separating the teams at any point during the game. The stats sheets show
that Josh Hearn and Paul Sinnick instrumental in securing the victory; and that
they performed superbly is beyond doubt. What was really different about this
performance was that this was no collection of individuals; rather a team of
players that were playing for the cause: a Blackhawks victory. Nick Mandafounis
had more steals than the Artful Dodger, and Mark Stacy grafted and grafted,
despite the physical hammering doled out by the heavyweight Aztecs.
The senior players were more than ably supported by a
contingent of U18s, all of whom were itching for more court time. Dan Marshall
took his limited opportunity to net one of his trademark 3- pointers and
considering he is not one of the tallest players in the squad, imposed himself off
the back boards, with impressive defensive rebounding. Young Craig Mathema who
has played only a couple of games previously at this level was equally
effective in defence and made a vital contribution with a brace of assists.
Lloyd Msipha sunk his first shot from distance and was unlucky not to have
netted his 3 point attempt.
The guards were superb. Pete Rabczuk played with a
discipline which had previously been absent on occasions when under pressure.
He exerted his influence on the game and was rewarded with a useful tally of 10
points. Jason Clarkson demonstrated maturity and vision with his distribution,
and was constantly urging his team mates to move into positions in an attempt
to open up the Aztec’s stonewall defence. He crowned a fine performance with a
measured text book shot from distance to add 3 points to the Woking score. Tate
Mutasa played an attractive fast game and caused the Aztecs untold trouble as
he drove into the basket, seemingly unstoppable, and drawing fouls. These he
converted to points from the free throw line.
Josh Hearn was on court for almost the whole game and worked
tirelessly for his impressive tally of 23 points and contributed a number of
rebounds. Paul Sinnick resisted the urge to play himself as much as he would
have liked. Scoring 5 times from 7 attempts was impressive, but even more
significantly, directing proceedings from the bench, his tactics were spot on
and well executed. The Chasers played a man to man defence well and when they
stepped up to a full court press, the Aztecs were forced into errors, allowing
the Chasers to make a significant number of steals, which eventually proved
decisive.
Stats available
Comets show Class
Chasers 50 v 88 South Bucks Comets
A difficult weekend for the Chasers as they went down
heavily for the second time in as many days.
Stats available
Flyers get their Revenge
Chasers 53 v 108 Flyers
Despite a playing some good basketball, The Chasers
struggled against a full strength Flyers team, hell bent in inflicting revenge for
the earlier reverse, and determined to re-state their championship credentials.
Julio Politi was in blistering form and the Chasers were unable to contain him
from the start. Craig Mathema making his first performance at this level showed
great promise and Rick Lansdell shored up the Chasers squad who were missing a
couple of their big players.
Thanks to Dan McP for the stats
A Game of 2 halves
Chasers 38 v 66 Basingstoke Blizzards
It may be a bit of a cliché, but this really was a game of 2
halves. No one in the Woking camp would deny that they had been beaten by the
better team, but it is fair to say that the damage was done in the first half.
Chasers were down 0-13 within 4 minutes as Blizzard’s
captain, Cole sunk two early 3’s. Two further 3’s in the first quarter helped
the Basingstoke outfit to establish a commanding 10-24 lead by the first break,
with just Chris Hatto, Josh Hearn and Jason Clarkson, replying for the Chasers.
Woking’s misery was compounded in the second quarter as they were contained to
just 4 points (Mark Stacey and Chris Hatto) as Basingstoke ‘blitzed’ another 13
points.
In the second half though, the Blackhawks practically
matched their opponents point for point with Paul Sinnick, Mark, Chris and Tate
Matasu adding points in the third (11-14) and by the final quarter they had the
measure of their opponents and (Q4:13-15. Points from Mark, Paul, Nick
Mandafounis, Lloyd Msipha)
Stats available
Good Performance, but Best is Yet To Come
Chasers 63 v 86 REME
This was a good team performance under the stewardship of new Chasers Coach Paul Sinnick, but unfortunately Woking were unable to match the technical consistency of their well drilled opponents REME. With a blend of experience and youth on the bench, Sinnick opted for a young and fast starting five of Peter Rabczuk, Dan Marshall, Andy Farmer, Chris Hatto and Josh Hearn. Peter Rabczuk started well finding the basket 3 times in the first quarter (including a 3-pointer).
Chasers were marginally behind 14-17 at the end of the first quarter and this essentially summed up the pattern of the whole game. Woking were never swamped or overwhelmed but REME were technically just that little bit better throughout the game, consistently making the baskets where Woking sometimes fell a little short.
Top scorers were Peter Rabczuk (16 points) Dan Marshall (15 points) and Paul Sinnick (12 points).
The Chasers now have a couple of weeks to prepare for their next game on Feb 7 which is at home against Basingstoke Blizzards.
Promising Performance from Chasers
Farnborough Phantoms 67- 45 Chasers
Chasers competed admirably for most of the game but succumbed to the Phantoms in the final quarter. The long layoff over Christmas didn’t help, but there were encouraging performances from many of the players. Head Coach Damian Knode who was game coach, was encouraged by what he saw and has targeted further victories during the second half of the season.
Stats available
Chasers Can’t Keep Up with Jaguars
Aztec Jaguars 81-58 Chasers
A weakened Chasers squad had a
disappointing evening in
Stats available
Good Cup Performance – Not Quite Enough
Whitley Wizards 59-52 Chasers
Stats available
Spirited Chasers Wounded by
Chasers 52-86
Despite a valiant battle, Chasers
failed to make the impact necessary to overcome a
Chasers failed to contain the Warriors in the second and slipped behind by a significant margin to go into the halftime break 20-51 behind. Ryan Haliday, having missed Monday’s game looked eager to make his mark but ran into foul trouble and was unable to influence the game as he is often able to. Nick Mandafounis and Paul Sinnick (despite suffering badly still with a back injury) provided a physical presence and in the third, the Chasers had a better spell with Lloyd Msipha, Dan Marshall and Paul himself, racking up 3 pointers to steal the advantage; for the quarter at least, edging it 13-11.
It was really though too little to
change the game and
The Chasers battled hard to a man and time will tell as to whether they are able to learn to adapt to competing successfully at this level.
Chasers Show
Promise but need consistency
Woodley Warriors 97- 51 Chasers
Chasers showed flashes of the form that earned them promotion last year but were caught a bit flatfooted from the tip and never really fully recovered. Woodley were surprisingly good and the Chasers had Ryan and Josh missing and Paul was suffering with severe back pain. Thanks to Nick for beefing up the squad at short notice and a welcome return to the team by Chris.
Chasers Struggle to Contain Well Drilled Comets
South Bucks Comets 87- 49 Chasers
The Chasers struggled to contain a well organised Comets team away from home on Tuesday. The balance of the team was disrupted by the departure of strong centre Luke Sinnick, promoted to the Flyers to help their cause, and it looks like it may take a little time to adjust. Despite this significant personnel change, this was a diligent team effort by the Chasers who battled till the end despite being outmanoeuvred by a team who will surely be competing for honours this season. Coach Tyrkiel was impressed with the quality of the Comets and despite the disappointing score line was still in reasonable spirits after the game: “The Comets have clearly benefited from excellent coaching and were well organised. Our performance demonstrated great character and I have every reason to be optimistic.”
MVP was Paul Sinnick with 19 mvp points followed by Ryan Haliday and Josh Hearn with 16.7 and 14.7 respectively.
Chasers Beat Flyers In All Blackhawks Epic
Chasers 70 – 61 Flyers
Wessex Div1 25 Oct 09
This was a thrilling all Woking encounter and it was soon apparent that the form book could be consigned to the bin. The pedigree of the Flyers is long established and as reigning champions and unbeaten leaders of the current campaign, the Flyers were fancied to dispatch their stable mates and first division new boys, the Chasers with relative ease.
The Flyers were without captain, the imposing Laurens Rogier and also the influential Chris Paice, both lost to injuries. The Chasers were on a high following their first win in Division 1 on Tuesday, and Flyers Coach Damian Knode was taking nothing for granted.
The Chasers were up for this match and started brightly, showing few signs of nerves and seemingly prepared to do battle at every opportunity. There was no score until the third minute when Josh Hearn opened the scoring for the Chasers with a speculative 3 point attempt followed rapidly by a second strike this time by point guard Peter Rabczuk. It was only the third minute and the advantage only 5-0, but many Chasers supporters were enjoying the early lead, and such was the impact of these early strikes, that a few were already harbouring thoughts of a famous upset. Mark Allum struck back for the Flyers, but young Dan Marshall hit home with another 3 pointer as if to underline the intent of this rookie Division 1 team. Flyers were having none of it and hit back with a series of baskets from big guns Jim Grainger, Steve Roberts and Damian Knode to establish the lead. Chasers most experienced player Paul Sinnick scored a brace of baskets before the end of quarter 1 which ended 12-16 in favour of the Flyers.
The 2 sides seemed evenly matched in the second, but as underdogs it seemed that the Chasers had a point to prove. The two Blackhawk sides traded baskets and despite scores from Luke Sinnick, Ryan Haliday, Andy Farmer, Rabczuk, Marshall and Hearn the Chasers started to fall behind. At 8 points behind and with just seconds to go before the half time break Andy Farmer netted an excellent 3pointer on the buzzer to narrow the deficit.
The third quarter was low scoring but the Chasers were brimming with confidence and started to take control of the game. The Flyers’ ball handling was patchy in places but Chasers Alex Counter and Dan Marshall were quick, and their ‘in your face presence’ was constant, forcing errors as they frequently stole possession from the apparently off colour Flyers. Young Lloyd Msipha was equally mobile and carried on where Counter and Marshall left off. The quarter was won 13-9 by the Chasers. This was proving to be a real team effort by the Chasers as the big men Paul Sinnick, Luke Sinnick, Josh Hearn and Ryan Haliday were all on top form too.
This was not to be the Flyers day. Everything seemed to drop in for Chasers, whereas Flyers were frequently frustrated. The final quarter saw the Chasers pull away during a purple patch when Dan Marshall was unstoppable. Paul and Luke Sinnick were outstanding down low netting 12 points and 17 points respectively.
Chasers Win In Division One
20 Oct 2009
A determined performance by The Chasers was rewarded with
their first win in Division 1 away at Basingstoke Blizzards on Tuesday evening.
Whilst a little nervous early on, the Chasers soon settled, and an early 2
basket deficit was neutralised by 2 quick strikes by the potent Luke Sinnick. A
satisfying 3 pointer from Josh Hearn helped to boost the team’s confidence and
from that point the Blizzards knew that they had a game on their hands. Alex
Counter looked lively on the ball but was unfortunately unable to reproduce the
fine 3-point form of the previous game.
A run of points from open play and the free throw line from Luke, Ryan
Haliday, Josh and Lloyd Msipha saw
Sam Sharpe opened the Woking scoring in the second, and
although this was perhaps
There were fine performances in the third with Francis Long,
Josh, Luke and Paul keeping pressure on
the
This was a well deserved and satisfying first win in the division and the team should draw confidence from this performance.
Chasers Find Going Tough at REME
REME 85-66 Chasers
Oct12
Life in the Wessex top flight was never going to be an easy ride for the Chasers and although this was only their second game, it remains for the squad to assert their Division 1 credentials.
In fairness the standard of the opposition has been high to date and this has restricted the free flowing basketball that was characteristic of last season..
REME who were Div 2 champions have seemingly made the transition quickly and ran out convincing winners in this early season encounter. REME fielded a couple of players whose ability in the air was spectacular.
Ryan Haliday opened the scoring but REME’s sharp shooters were in great form from the start, sinking a couple of 3 pointers early on. Their shooting successes were to be repeated throughout the game and unfortunately Chasers were unable to match this high standard. The surface was slippery and this did not help the Woking cause, but they battled hard to stay in the game with Josh Hearn, Luke and Paul Sinnick and Alex Counter contributing points in the first quarter which saw the Chasers 24-16 down.
REME opened the second quarter with a couple of early strikes before Alex Counter hit back with the first of his total of four 3-pointers. Luke Sinnick continued to impose himself with his strong physical presence netting 6 points in the quarter with Ryan Haliday also muscling in on the scoring action. The gap continued to widen though and by the half, Woking were 17 points behind, at 47-30.
The Chasers had their brightest spell on the third. REME’s shooting from distance was consistently good throughout the match with just about everything seemingly dropping in, but in the third quarter Woking struck back with four 3’s of their own in a 3 minute spell which pulled them back to within 6 points. Francis Long added to the Woking tally, but REME stepped up a gear in response to this fight back stretching their advantage to 64-49 going into the final quarter.
Woking had a full bench and court time was limited for some of the players who were a little restless on the bench. Lloyd Msipha’s contribution was memorable for some spectacular shooting and fast breaks on the one hand but marred slightly by a couple of cheap turnovers which REME were quick to capitalise on. Dan Marshall’s renowned shooting touch deserted him on the night and despite very limited court time he still managed to fire a clutch of 3-point attempts, but unusually blanked. Sam Sharpe enjoyed a couple of field goal attempts and some good rebounding but it was REME who commanded the aerial highways, especially in offence, with one memorable basket where the scorer seemed to hang in fresh air for what seemed like 3 seconds as the ball eventually arrived for him to palm into the inviting basket. James Dean, who was a late call up, sadly did not get sufficient opportunity to run at the opponents in his trademark style, spending most of the game on the bench, and Andy Farmer’s opportunities were also very limited, although his impressive steal and field goal attempts are surely signs of good things to come. Paul Sinnick was impressive scoring 8 points and pulling down 6 rebounds, but MVP was Luke Sinnick who scored 15 points, was strong off the backboard and contributed an array of steals and blocks.
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Chasers Baptism of Fire
Sep 27
Woking
Blackhawks Chasers faced a baptism of fire as they stepped on court for their
first Division 1 game on Sunday, against Farnborough Phantoms, last season’s
runners up.
Having
risen 2 divisions in as many years, the chances of
The Chasers
were defeated 44-70, but they went down fighting and demonstrated strength in
defence which will provide a platform on which to build for the coming games.
The
Phantoms dominated in the second, netting 28 points to
Offensive
play from the Chasers was a little laboured at times, and not quick enough to
break through the Farnborough defence and some poor passing led to turnovers
which Farnborough were quick to capitalise on. Francis Long set off on some
characteristic fast breaks, and demonstrated that this
In the
second half Woking switched to a man to man defence and changed their shape,
with just two big men on for a spell and allowing some of the faster players to
run at the defence. These fast breaks led to
The Chasers
pulled back the lead in the third; taking the quarter 17-14, but despite
rallying so well, they were still 21 points behind going into the final
quarter.
Stats to follow
.