Flyers Beat Windsor 91-65 to Take League Championship for the Second Year
A slow start with neither side scoring in the first 3 minutes, the Flyers pulled out a 23-11 lead by the first quarter which they did not relinquish although Windsor made some spirited comebacks to narrow the score to 4 points in the 3rd quarter.
Laurens, in his final season with the Flyers, found awesome form to be MVP scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds, 9blocks,2 steals and 3 assists. Victor as ever was a powerhouse under the basket but at times must have wondered is somebody had put a lid on the basket only scoring 5 field gosls from18 attempts!!
The Flyers won the league ending up with the same points as South Bucks but were positioned above them due to superior points in the games between them. The Flyers lost 3 games during the season to South Bucks, Woodley and to the Blackhawks second team (The Chasers), a loss that very nearly cost the flyers dear!!
Squad - Mark(2), Julio(14), Damian(14), Jimbo (3), Luke(10pts and 12 rbds), Thomas(20), Victor(10), Laurens(18pts, 10 rbds and MVP)
Surrey Cup Semi Finals -Flyers Fall to the Wildats
Flyers 74 - Kinston WIldcats 85
After the clinching the league title the day before, a under strength Flyers squad( due to injury and non availability) succumbed to the Wildcats.
With only 4 regular Flyers fit or available Coach Knode was able to play some of the upcoming youg alent in the Club and they did not disappoint. Francis Long, Josh Hearn and Dan Marshall played pivotal rolls in supporting the senior players which very nearly resulted in a win.
With 5 minutes left in the forth quarter Captain Laurens was continuing his awesome form from the final league game the previous evening. With the score tied 65pts all, in a playing accident with an opponent Laurens suffered and eye injury that forced him to retire. This proved critical from which the Flyers did not recover and the Wildcats sealed their win.
Luke Sinnick scored freely throughout the game , top scoring with 23 points
Squad:- Damian(7),Laurens(17),Luke(23),Victor(8),Francis(10),Paul(4),Dan(1), Josh(4)
Flyers Nail Woodley 92 - 68 to Keep League Title Hopes Alive
A solid performance by the Squad bought a convincing victory against Woodley. Victor returned to provide a dominating performance of 25 point and 15 rebound
Squad - Mark(8), Julio(18), Damian(4), Steve(10), Jimbo (2), Luke(8), Thomas(7), Victor(25+15 rebounds), Laurens(10)
Comets Down the Flyers
Flyers 80 - 95 South Bucks Comets
Squad - Bash, Mark, Julio(10), Damian(12), Steve, Jimbo (8), Paice(3), Luke(12), Thomas(20), Victor(12)
Flyers Get Stuck in a Blizzard
Flyers 94 - 102 Basingstoke Blizzards
The flyers failed to find their rhythm and cohesion, lacked defence and paid the price
Squad - Bash(3), Mark(3), Julio(26), Damian(26), Steve(3), Jimbo (6), Paice(4), Laurens(12), Luke(6)
National Founders Cup Last 16
Flyers 63 - 73 Rochdale Cardinal Langley
The 'Rochdale 6'
A depleted squad made the trip to Rochdale for the last 16 match against Rochdale Cardinal Langley. After losing the first quarter by 9 the fighting 6 had drawn the game at half time. However a valiant 4th quarter rally (winning the quarter 18-11) was not enough to overcome the 10-27 deficit that Rochdale inflicted in the 3rd quarter.
MVP was Victor with 17 point and 16 rebounds and point guard Mark made a major contribution with 8 points and 40 minutes of complete commitment on the court. Damian top scored with 18
Well done to the Rochdale 6 for the commitment to a long day which was unfortunately unsuccessful
Squad Mark(8),Damian(18),Steve(10),Jimbo(4),Laurens(6),Victor(17)
Flyers 108 - 53 Chasers
No mistake this time, the Flyers stormed a 20 point lead in the first quarter(35-15) with Julio amassing 19 points. There was a fluidity and confidence to their game which the young Chasers could not overcome. With everybody contributing coach Knode was able to play the bench, easily rotating players to keep the pressure on their Clubmates.
MVP for the game was Julio with 39 points,7rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Luke added 17 points and pulled down 17 rebounds.
Paice returned from injury with 14 points and 7 steals
Squad Mark(2), Julio(39),Damian(15), Steve(5), Jimbo(9),Paice(14),Luke(17),Laurens(6)
Surrey Cup Quarter Final
Flyers 83 - 59 Kingston 2
A limited Kingston squad put up a valiant fight against the Flyer taking an early 13point lead at the quarter. The Flyers had difficulty finding the fluency there was in the previous game. However perseverance prevailed with a comfortable 24 point victory.
MVP for the game was Victor with 15 points and an awesome 23 rebounds
The Flyers now progress to the semi finals where they expect to play the winners of Twickenham Vs Kingston 3
Squad Mark(8), Julio(8),Damian(17), Steve(8), Jimbo,Luke(12), Victor(15),Thoma(15)
Flyers 82 - 57 Twickenham Tigers
This was a crunch game, after losing to The Tigers in the away game the Flyers knew they must win this meeting by a 22 point margin to ensure progression into the knock out stages of the tournament.
In the first quarter Knode set the pace of the game with two opening 3s, contributing 15pts a total of 15 in the first, fierce defence enabled 26-8 lead at the first break
2nd quarter the pace was continued with a 22 9 run giving a 31 point lead at the half.
The second half required the limited squad to dig deep into their endurance to retain the advantage finally losing the third by 3.
In the forth the Tigers encroached back closing the margin closing the margin to 25 at the final buzzer.
Victor Yarbrough provided the hussle and power being the MVP for the game and scoring 19.
Captain Laurens pulled down 12 rebounds, 2 blocks , 2 assists and a steal.
Jimbo and Steve both sunk 4 baskets and 4 & 7 rebounds respectively
Luke contributed 4 baskets and 11 rebounds,
And the ever busy Mark hussled 8 points , 3 rebounds , 2 assists and 2 steals
It was a complete squad performance that earned the win
Squad Mark(8), Julio(2),Damian(22), Steve(11), Jimbo(8), Laurens(2),Luke(10), Victor(19)
Flyers 81 - 49 Farnborough Phantoms
29th January 2010
Wessex League Division 1
A
Slow tentative start fron both side in First quarter gave Flyers 13-10 lead. Flyers Dominated in second quarter 23-6 to set up 20 point lead at the interval 36-16. FInal two quater also won 20-15 and 25-18
Squad Mark(5),Damian(14), Luke(10), Jimbo(5),Victor(10),Steve(2),Emeka, Laurens(12), Julio(5), Thomas(18)
Flyers 56 - 87 Kingston Wildcats
Founders Cup
A promising start in the first quarter petered out in the second with a lack of fluidity, poor defence and uncoordinated attack allowing Kingston to have a 11 point advantage at the half from which the Flyers did not recover.
The loss leaves the Flyers in third position in the league needing a victory over Twickenham Tigers on the 5th Feb to allow them to progress to the knock out stages
Squad Bash(4), Mark(7),Damian(10), Luke(16), Jimbo(2),Victor(5),Steve(2),Emeka, Laurens(10)
Flyers 97-70 Kingston SOB
Surrey Cup
Flyers continued their form with a convincing win over Kingston SOB .
Squad Bash(11), Mark(4),Damian(19),Julio(3), Luke(19), Jimbo(4),Victor(18),Steve(3),Emeka(6), Laurens(10)
Flyers 86 53 Aztec Jaguars
In their first game of the season, with captain Laurens tentitively returning from injury the Flyers comfortably secured their first victory of the year away at Wellington College against Jaguars
· Superb performances were put on by from Mark Allum (14 points, 5 rebounds) and MVP Luke Sinnick ( 14 points and 10 rebounds)
· High score Damian Knode 21 points, 8 from 8 field goals, 2 from 2 free throws, Julio 9 points, 10 rebounds, s assists & 3 steals
· Good team performance from all
Squad Bash(9), Mark(14),Damian(21),Julio(9), Luke(14), Jimbo,Victor(8),Steve(4),Emeka(4), Laurens(3)
Woking Blackhawk Flyers 77 66 Farnborough Phantoms
National Founders Cup
Having taken a victory off the Phantoms in their home game of the Founders game the Flyers were determined to repeat the result at the away fixture played at Aldershot Military Garrison
Steve Roberts and Emeka Okorocha returned fit from their recent injuries however the squad was missing their influential point guards Allum, Paice and Bevis leaving a squad heavy with forwards.
The Phantoms won the first quarter with a 4 point lead, the Flyers were still getting used their forward heavy formation and defensively Farnborough where taking advantage where they could.
A more intense and tighter man to man formation provided benefits in the second quarter and the lead was reversed with the Flyers having a 7 point margin at the half. Knode was on fire at this point with a 6 from 6 (100%) record under the basket.
A Phantoms revival in the third clawed back 4 points but by this time the Flyers were not going to relinquish their hard earn lead.
The Final quarter provided a 18-14 lead providing a final winning 11 point margin.
Main scorers were Damian(29), Julio(15), Luke(12) and Steve (11). Recent recruit into the Flyers Luke Sinnick is really starting to gel into the squad whilst Victor on his second outing since returning from injury was an ever present force on the court.
With two games left to be played in the league element of the competition, the Flyers need another victory to ensure progression into the knock out stages. The next game is at Woking Leisure Centre on 8th January when they will be hosting the Twickenham Tigers with the intention of reversing the 21point loss of their first encounter
Squad Bash(2), Damian(31),Julio(15), Luke(12), Jimbo(3),Victor(4),Steve(11),Emeka(1)
Woking Blackhawks Flyers 87 - 63 South Bucks Comets
Wessex League Div 1
With South Bucks at the top of the Division this was a crucial game for the Flyers to win if their aspirations of retaining the Division one title were to be kept alive.
Whilst two of the forward Steve Roberts and Emeka Okorocha were unavailable due to injury the squad was buoyed by the return from long term injury of Victor Yarbrough.
A tentative first quarter saw South Bucks tied at 22 point each. Second quarter saw Coach Knode ask for tight man to man marking with maximum effort. This proved critical with the second quarter being won 29-10 providing a 19 point lead at the half from which South Bucks did not recover.
In the second half South Bucks were contained with the Flyers increasing their lead by a single point to provide a 24 point winning margin
Knode was in full flow for the game providing 31 points with a 6 from 7 ( 86%) under the basket, also in double figures were Julio(11), Paice(11) and Luke (11). Jim Granger pulled down 14 rebounds and the entire squad were influential in the final victory.
The next Wessex game will be at Woking Leisure Centre on Friday 18th when the Flyers will be playing Windsor Warriors with a 8:15 tip
Squad Bash(7), Damian(31),Julio(11), Paice(10), Luke(11), Jimbo(7),Victor(6),Mark(4)
Wildcats too Much For Flyers
Woking Blackhawk Flyer 70 - 90 Kingston Wildcats
The defending Founders Cup Champions, Kingston WIldcats, were too strong for the Flyers, Kingston established a 12point lead in the first quarter which they extended throughout the game. Whilst the Flyers were able to close he margin the 10 at one stage they could not maintain the impetus.
Squad Bash(9), Damian(16), Steve(8),Julio(11), Jason, Paice, Emeka(2), Luke, Sam(2),Tomas(16), Jimbo(2)
Flyers Gain First Founders Cup Win
Woking Blackhawk Flyers 64 - 38 Farnborough Phantoms
Flyers gained their first win in England Basketballs National Founders Cup beating Farnborough Phantoms by 26 points.
The game started tentatively with both sides putting up strong defensive plays but not capitalising on their offense. Phantoms achieved a 2 point lead at the half with Chandler sinking a long three to give them the small advantage.
After the half the Flyers continued with their strong defensive and started to gain rhythm on their offences, restricting Farnborough to 9 points and clocking up 20 for themselves. From this point, with Farnborough having a limited bench due to non-availability of players, the Flyers further enforced their superiority taking the final quarter 24-7.
Damian and Julio pulled down 17 & 19 points respectively whilst all the rest of the squad provide support providing a strong team performance
The Flyers next Founders Cup game is at Woking Leisure Centre on 20th November when they host last years winners Kingston Wildcats, tip off is at 8:15pm - be there and support your team.
Squad Bash(4),Mark, Damian(19), Steve(5),Julio(17), Jason, Paice(6), Emeka(3), Luke(8), Sam(2)
Flyers Survive the Blizzard to Win
Basingstoke Blizzards 72 - 90 Woking Blackhawk Flyers
This game needed to settle the squad after the Flyers recent defeats in the National Founders Cup by Twickenham Tigers and their Clubmates the Chasers in the Wessex League.
The opening quarter provide to be tentative with offensive plays coming together but gaps in the defence allowing Basingstoke to have a 2 point lead at the quarter (13-11).
Further pressure in the second quarter enabled Basingstoke to increase the margin to 6 at the half (29-35). Offences where being played but often not producing a basket and continued weaknesses in the Flyers defence where being opened up by the Blizzards
The coaches half time talk reminded the squad of their capabilities and for them to concentrate on their known skills and proven plays, this provide the turning point for the game from which the Flyers did not look back. Julio, who had only sunk a single basket in the first half, scored a further seven 3s, five 2s and a single free throw to amass a total of 32 points in the second half . Whilst the Blizzards tried to reply to the onslaught the Flyers were in no mood to let them back into the game and ran out winners by a 18 point margin 72-90.
New Flyer Luke put in some good work under the basket claiming 7 rebounds and 4 points in his first game, but had his time cut short in the second half by a virtual fifth foul early in the third quarter.
The Flyers will be playing their second National Founders Cup match this Friday (6th November) against the Farnborough Phantoms at Woking Liesure Centre 8:15 tip
Squad Bash(9),Mark(8), Damian(19), Steve(5),Julio(34), Jason, Paice(8), Emeka(3), Luke(4)
National Founders Cup
Twickenham Tigers 86 - 65 Flyers
Flyers Fall to the Chasers
Chasers 70 - 61 Woking Blackhawk Flyers
The youthful exuberance of the Chasers and a depleted Flyers who could not find their rhythm led to a surprise defeat of the Flyers by the Chasers
Three Point Buzzer Buster Clinches Game
R.E.M.E. 102 - 103 Woking Blackhawk Flyers
R.E.M.E sunk a three point basket from the tip and were then allowed to score freely. Injuries to Chris Paice and Jim Grainger kept them out of the action for most of the quarter and at the break R.E.M.E had established a 37-23 lead.
The scoring was slowed in the second quarter however baskets were being given away too easily exposing the weaknesses in the Flyers defence . By the half the Flyers came of court with a 17 point deficit at 66 49.
Sole searching and the will to win was reinforced during coach Knodes half time talk. In the third quarter the Flyers clawed back 3 points narrowing the deficit to 14, the will and heart was there but there was still plenty to do.
The corner turned after the first 6 minutes of the last quarter the Flyers fought back, drawing the score at 88 all and then establishing a 7point lead at 93-100. Fouls were then drawn against the Flyers which put REME to the line for a total of 13 points , 9 of which were sunk leaving REME with 1 2 point lead with 6 seconds on the clock. Coach called a time out after REME last throw, with the ball inbound from the centre a play was called resulting in Damian sinking a three point basket from what seemed to be an impossible angle. Just as the buzzer sound for full time. The game had been won by 1 point.
Highlights of the scoring were Damian Knode with 35 points and Julio Politi with 36 points(including 8 threes believed to be a new Club record) and 12 rebounds
Squad - Mark, Damian(35), Steve(10),Julio(36), Jason, Paice(10),Jimbo(8), Emeka(4)
A Wins a Win!!
Phantoms 64 66 Flyers
It was not an elegant win, but it was a win!!
A quick basket from Damian and a steal and basket from Mark showed promise for the game, however the promise did not materialise.
The Phantoms, as competitive as ever, maintained the pressure throughout the game at one point in the second half establishing a 8 point advantage.
Whilst the quarter scores always showed the Flyers ahead, they were never able to achieve the rhythm and control of play that they know they can achieve. At times defensively the Flyers made it easy for the Phantoms to score with the 6 point advantage at half time vanishing in the first minute of the second half
With one minute to go the Flyers had a 1 point advantage, fouls and free throws were traded with the Phantoms sinking a single shot to tie the score. In the last action of the game Julio was fouled , went to the line and sunk his two shots to claim the win.
The win was gained, and the potential of the squad was demonstrated but more work is required to achieve and maintain consistency the squad knows they are capable of.
.Bash, Mark (4),Julio(18),Damian(15)and joint MVP,Steve(5),Sam,Emeka(14) Joint MVP,Jason, Jimbo(4), Paice(6)
Q1 14:14 Q2 28:34 Q3 50:53: Q4 64:66
Flyers 76 - 47 Aztec Jaguars
9th October
The Flyers started their season with a confident win against the Jaguars. Coach Knode was the first to score with a long three pointer in the first minute, this was rapidly matched with a three pointer from the Borrow's of the Jaguars. Points continued to be traded with the home side having a slim 4 point lead at the break.
Second quarter provided a devastating period for the Jaguars, The Flyers scored freely and it was not until the 5th minute of the quarter that the Jaguars scored from the free throw line, the period score of 21-9 proved decisive and the Flyers had a 16 point lead at the half.
The Jaguars were not beaten yet and after half time they replied cutting the Flyers lead to 9 points. However coach Knode steadied the squad and a 30-10 forth quarter that included 4 trιs provide the final 29 point winning margin
Squad - Allum, Politi(20), Knode(16), Roberts(10), Starling(2), Grainger(12), Paice(4), Rogier(7), Okorocha(3), Bevis(3)