Match Report Archive 2008-0
Wessex Junior Cup Final
Woking Blackhawks 72 – Reading Rockets 76
10-May-09. To complete what had already been a busy weekend of basketball, the u14s arrived at the Garrison Sports Centre in Aldershot for the final of the inaugural Wessex Junior Cup.
With expectations and confidence high following the success in the Bracknell play-off semi-final on Friday, and with a full strength bench available to Coach, Stephen Dean, the scene was set for what promised to be a closely matched and hard fought game of basketball.
Starters for Woking were Joel Eggar at point, guards Alex Ingram and Tom Andrews, and forwards Josh Foulkes and Tolu Awojobi. Winning the tip, Blackhawks took the early advantage. Awojobi led his team, scoring an incredible 14 points in Q1. Despite having to contend with some tough full-court pressure from the Rockets, contributions from Hatton and Eggar helped keep Woking within 2 at the end of the first period.
Following the break Reading went on a run to open up a 7 point lead. An immediate response from Woking closed the gap once again to level at 30-30. Whilst setting a strong back-screen, a hard ‘hit’ sent Joel Eggar to the floor clutching his mouth, blood pouring through his fingers. A bad cut to his upper lip confined him to the bench until the bleeding could be stopped.
When play resumed both sides traded baskets to keep the scores level until the 10th minute of Q2 when the Blackhawks quickly put a string of points on the board to end the half up by 3, at 42-39.
It was much of the same for Q3 with Woking holding on to their lead but unable to extend it past 8 points. The Rockets came back again and did well to finish the quarter level at 56-56.
With such a competitive game to watch, the crowd of spectators started to grow and the atmosphere intensified. For the second game in three days these young Blackhawks had produced a level of basketball befitting of the final they were playing in.
There was no let-up in Q4 from either side. It was clear that neither team were going to lose this game through a lack of effort or determination. With Joel now fully recovered and back running the point, Woking were set for the push to the final buzzer.
Having stayed out of foul trouble for most of the game, a quick succession of easy fouls sent the Rockets to the line and Awojobi to the bench as he fouled out in the 38th minute. Losing such an influential player at such a pivotal point of the game was to prove decisive. And while Reading made 4 from 8 at the free throw line during the final two minutes, Woking missed 8 of 8 attempts at the other end.
What had been an extremely exciting and enjoyable game to watch ended with a final score of Woking 72, Reading 76.
After the game Coach Dean said, “Although not the fairytale ending we were all hoping for, each and every one of my boys should feel nothing but pride for the way they performed today. They conducted themselves with composure beyond their years and fought hard right to the end.”
Top scorer for Blackhawks was Tolu Awojobi with 47 points.
Blackhawks: Sam Hatton (7), Tolu Awojobi (47), Tom Andrews, Josh Foulkes, Joel Eggar (6), Noah Lucas, Alex Ingram (6), Alex Odubote, Andy Lickfold (6), Josh Morreales, Rob Derienzo, Brad Wright,
Bracknell CVL Play-offs
Woking Blackhawks 32 – Cobham 29
08-May-09. Having finished 4th in the league Woking had the daunting task of facing the well drilled league winners Cobham in the first round of the play-offs. Although the Blackhawks’ recent performances allowed for a degree of optimism, the whole team knew that they would have to produce the performance of their young lives if they were to proceed to the final. And perform they certainly did!
The starting five, Joel Eggar, Sam Hatton, Andy McLean, Josh Foulkes and Tolu Awojobi, took immediate control of the ball and Hatton scored the first basket of the game quickly followed by one from Foulkes. Although Cobham levelled the scores, Woking went on a 5-0 run, courtesy of McLean and Awojobi, to end the quarter up, 9-4.
Quarter 2 saw the lead change hands several times, with the new five, Alex Ingram, Tom Andrews, Noah Lucas, Alex Odubote and Jake Cobbett, managing to prevent Cobham from building any sizeable lead. Two great baskets from Andrews kept Woking within 2 points at the half, 13-15.
A good start to Q3 for Cobham saw them quickly open up a 7 point advantage. It is to the credit of the Woking players, now joined on court by guard Jack Rundle, that they refused to let their heads drop. Instead they re-grouped, continued to attack the Cobham defence, and Awojobi made a crucial basket late in the period to set the scene for a thrilling 4th quarter with everything to play for.
Showing great determination the Blackhawks managed to fight their way back to within 1 point. Stepping-up the pace on offence forced defensive errors from Cobham who soon found themselves in the team-fouls penalty. Unable to capitalise from the free-throw line – Woking missed an incredible 8 consecutive attempts – meant that this crucial game stayed close right to the end. With 2 seconds on the clock Tolu Awojobi was fouled as he went to the hoop. An unsportsmanlike foul was called, sending Awojobi once again to the foul line for 2 shots, and giving Woking possession at half court. Awojobi made one and missed one to level the scores at 29-29. The ball was inbounded to Tolu who just had time to dribble free from his defender and put up a 3-point shot on the buzzer. The ball hit nothing but net and the Woking bench erupted on to the court to begin the celebrations.
Top scorer for Blackhawks was Tolu Awojobi with 22 points.
Blackhawks: Sam Hatton (2), Tolu Awojobi (22), Tom Andrews (4), Andy McLean (2), Josh Foulkes (2), Jack Rundle, Joel Eggar, Noah Lucas, Alex Ingram, Alex Odubote, Jake Cobbett.
Woking Blackhawks – Brentwood Fire 33-44
01-Mar-09. This was never going to be an easy game for the young Blackhawks. Brentwood Fire are sitting in 3rd place in the league table and never fail to produce a good standard of play. Going in as clear underdogs, Woking soon found themselves down by 6, with the 1st quarter ending 2-8.
Quarter 2 started much the same, Brentwood increasing their lead to 11, with the score at 3-14. It wasn't until four minutes in to the quarter that the Blackhawks started to show that they too could play basketball. Forward, Tolu Awojobi, and guard, James Wildsmith, managed to put together a run of nine points to reduce the deficit to just 2 before Brentwood regrouped and closed out the quarter up by 6 at 12-18.
Some great work by point guard Joel Eggar, and a lot of effort from guards Jacob Hutchinson, Conor Smith, Noah Lucas and Jack Rundle, combined to keep Woking in the game. Time after time Awojobi drove through the Brentwood defence drawing fouls as he went. Unfortunately, missed free throws allowed the Fire to increase their lead to 13, with the score after the 3rd standing at 18-31.
With Woking's main scoring threats now in foul trouble, the writing was on the wall. A spirited effort in the final quarter enabled the Blackhawks to close the gap to 9, but Brentwood's full-court pressure proved too much for the young Hawks who were unable to get in to they offence with any confidence. Some excellent shooting from Andy Lickfold and a great display of defensive pressure from Awojobi kept the final score-line respectable.
Top scorer for Blackhawks was Tolu Awojobi with14 points, closely followed by Andy Lickfold with 10 points.
Blackhawks: Joel Eggar (4), Andrew Lickfold (10), Tolu Awojobi (14), James Wildsmith (3), Muz Morreale (2), Noah Lucas, Conor Smith, Jacob Hutchinson, Tom Andrews, Filippo Dipoala, Jack Rundle.
Woking Blackhawks – Cobham 26-31
20-Feb-09. When Woking's starting five, Joel Eggar, Alex Ingram, James Wildsmith, Josh Foulkes and Andy Lickfold, took to the floor in Bracknell for the second meeting of the season against Cobham, they soon gave their supporters something to cheer about as they showed just how effective a well executed offence can be. Some great off-the-ball movement by the guards opened-up the Cobham defence allowing Woking to storm to an 8-3 lead, and by the 1st quarter buzzer, things were looking good for the young Blackhawks.
Quarters 2 and 3 saw a Cobham fight back, with them upping the tempo of the game and pushing the ball up the court on every offence. With a display of solid basketball fundamentals they managed to put on a run of 17-5 to take the lead. Although Woking worked hard to get back in to contention, winning Q4 13-8, it wasn't quite enough to give the Blackhawks the ending they were hoping for.
Top scorer for Woking was Andrew Lickfold with 12 points.
Blackhawks: Joel Eggar (6), Andrew Lickfold (12), Tolu Awojobi (8), James Wildsmith, Alex Ingram, Muz Morreale, Rob Derienzo, Noah Lucas, Josh Foulkes, Jake Cobbett.
Woking Blackhawks – Guildford Heat 28-22
06-Feb-09. The snow may have been falling outside but it was Woking who put the freeze on the Heat.
Coach Stephen Dean made the decision to put his strongest five on the court for the first quarter with the aim of building a lead early on. With Joel Eggar running the point, the Hawks were totally dominant from the tip. Running great offence enabled them to very quickly put 8 points on the board. Some determined defensive work from guard Tom Andrews produced two awesome blocks to break-up the Heat's offence making it very difficult for them to get in to any rhythm and limiting Guildford to just 2; a lead that would be held throughout the game.
Recent signing Josh Morreale performed with impressive poise as he took the point for the start of the second quarter. Movement off the ball provided scoring opportunities for Sam Hatton, James Wildsmith and, with his first points as a Blackhawk, Bradley Wright.
Six players contributed to Woking's scoreline, Joel Eggar heading the list with 9 and Andrew Lickfold finishing with 7.
It was a pleasure to see these young Blackhawks finally coming together as a unit and playing some great basketball – and having fun too!
Blackhawks: Joel Eggar (9), Andrew Lickfold (7), Sam Hatton (2), Bradley Wright (2), James Wildsmith (6), Filippo Di Paola (2), Alex Ingram (c), Rob Derienzo, Josh Morreale, Noah Lucas, Tom Andrews.
Woking Blackhawks - Waverley Warriors 70-48
21-Dec-08. The final outing for the u14s before the Christmas break was a trip to New Malden for a game in the Surrey CVL. With half the squad away on holiday, and others with prior family commitments, the team arrived at the venue with just five players. With a 5 point penalty awarded to the opposition for each player short of a full 10-man squad, the Hawks were under great pressure to get off to a good start. Thankfully, the five players who did show were determined to give Coach Dean an early Christmas present in the form of a win.
Following a lengthy absence, the return to the squad of Tolu Awojobi had an immediate impact. Tolu opened the Blackhawks' account with two early baskets. It was clear that the Warriors were going to have their hands full trying to contain this tremendous young athlete.
With both of the team's big men working well together, Tolu and Andrew Lickfold notched-up 10 points between them to end the 1st quarter up by 3 at 10-7.
The second quarter saw Awojobi really step up the pace as he added a further 12 points. Lickfold maintained his work-rate as he contributed a further 5 points, including a buzzer beating 3-point shot from the half-way line to end the quarter and bring the supporters and the bench to their feet. The late (but most welcome) arrival of a sixth player to the Blackhawks bench, Adam Mitchell, meant that the penalty points awarded to the Warriors was reduced by 5, and the scores prior to the start of quarter 3 were re-set at 37-38.
The 3rd quarter started well for Woking as they went on a 12-0 run to open up an 11 point lead. Again, through some good passing and off-the-ball movement from the guards, the two forwards were able to easily cut their way through the Waverley defence. An impressive 18 from Awojobi and 8 from Lickfold extended the lead to 61-42.
The fourth was merely a formality and the whole team contributed to a well deserved win. For six players to play for 28 minutes and come away with such an impressive scoreline, 70-48, is a great achievement. Well done everyone!
Blackhawks: Tolu Awojobi (40), Andrew Lickfold (20), Amy Dean, Adam Mitchell, Jacob Hutchinson, Filippo Di Paola.
(10 points awarded to Woking as a penalty to Waverley for fielding only 8 players)
Woking Blackhawks - Guildford Heat 17-15
05-Dec-08. Bracknell Leisure Centre was the venue for what turned out to be a tremendously hard-fought battle which went right down to the wire, with the most exciting finish to a game so far this season.
Although a fairly low scoring game there was certainly no shortage of action. The Blackhawks' tenacious defence created turnover after turnover, and it was the effort put in at this end of the court which ultimately decided the outcome of this game. There are a couple of players who deserve a particular mention for their defensive contribution. Tim Bailey showed impressive quickness and reactions by stopping the Heat's offence and creating transition scoring opportunities. James Wildsmith has proven himself to be a superb defensive guard with his ability to put himself in good position and display a relentless determination to dispossess his opponents of the ball.
With all the hard work going on in defence there was certainly no shortage of scoring opportunities at the offensive end of the court. If the young Hawks had managed to convert even 50% of their attempts at basket the winning margin would have been much greater. Six players managed to put points on the board which is a great achievement and is very encouraging as we look towards the rest of the season.
Blackhawks: Alex Ingram (1), Joel Eggar (4), Tim Bailey (4), James Wildsmith (4), Josh Foulkes (2) Filippo Di Paola (2), Jake Cobbett, Tom Andrews, Jacob Hutchinson, Bradley Wright, Alex Obubote.
Woking Blackhawks - Spelthorne Atoms 28-45
19-Oct-08. The first game of the season for the U14s, although a loss, gave the squad a chance to try out some of the new plays and highlighted the areas where improvement is needed.
The team included three players new to the Blackhawks, Jacob Hutchinson, Bradley Wright and Sam Hatton, each of whom did a great job on their debut outing.
The Atoms deserved their win with some well executed offences and some tough defence.
For the Blackhawks there were a couple of outstanding performances from Joel Eggar who managed to put 8 points on the board, made two steals and, despite being one of our smallest players, found himself under the baskets to grab 2 rebounds, well done Joel! The MVP award went to Tolu Awojobi for an impressive performance scoring 8 points, 13 rebounds, 5 blocks, two steals and 1 assist.
Tolu - MVP
All in all I think a positive start to the season with some great lessons we can take away and work on during the weeks before our next game.
Well done everyone.
Blackhawks: Alex Ingram (4), Joel Eggar (8), Tolu Awojobi (8), Jake Cobbett (4), Tom Andrews, Jacob Hutchinson, Bradley Wright, Sam Hatton, Noah Lucas, Filippo Di Paola, Adam Mitchell.