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Thought For The Week
I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career.
I’ve lost almost 300 games.
26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed.
I’ve failed over and over again in my life.
And that is why I succeed.
Michael Jordan
U18 Match Reports 2009/10
16.05.10 - Wessex Junior Cup Final
Blackhawks 70-48 Reading Rockets
Having just watched their younger club mates take a resounding victory in the U14's final, the U18s took to the court against Reading Rockets. Like the U14s, the U18s entered the final undefeated with a 6-0 record.
Tough defence from the tip set the tone for the game and let Rockets know that they would get no easy opportunities. At the other end Dan Marshall opened Woking's account with a 3-pointer while forward Craig Mathema showed his ability to be a threat from outside as well as under the basket. Contributions from James Dean, Adam Sansom and Gima Nwana took the 1st quarter score to 21-5.
Although a great all round team effort in the next three quarters with strong defensive displays from Freddy Dines, Jordan Tyler, Ryan Gardener and Casper Lucas, and constant offensive pressure from Tate Barber, Rob Harris, Nwana, Sansom and Mathema, the two outstanding performances came from shooting guard, Dan Marshall and point guard, James Dean. For much of the game Reading assigned players to closely guard both, but despite their best efforts, were not able to find an answer for these two, both of whom possess strong "inside/out" games. Between them Marshall and Dean racked-up an impressive 39 points (Marshall 20, Dean 19).
For each of the finals, Wessex officials choose one player to receive the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. With the brilliant contribution from Marshall the award could easily have gone his way, but it was the overall performance from James Dean that just edged it for the judges.
Blackhawks: James Dean (19), Dan Marshall (20), Jordan Tyler (7), Rob Harris (2), Craig Mathema (8), Adam Sansom (8), Gima Nwana (4), Tate Barber (2), Ryan Gardener, Freddy Dines, Casper Lucas.
10.10.09 - Blackhawks 91-60 Dorset Storm
The long journey down to Poole in Dorset gave the squad an extra chance to contemplate on their disappointing home defeat of the previous week. With a determination that they would not again allow a lead to slip, they took to the court against a Dorset Storm side still reeling from an overwhelming defeat at the hands of Barnet Bulldogs.
Missing a key contributor, forward Adam Sansom, but joined by a new signing, guard Rob Harris, Blackhawks immediately opened up a six point lead. With sixteen points from the starters, James Dean, Dan Marshall, Ed Lewry and Dom Sammut, and an off the bench contribution courtesy of guard, Freddy Dines from outside the arc, Q1 ended in favour of Woking, 19-9.
From that point on the outcome of this game was never in any doubt. Blackhawks dominated in every department. In transition Dorset had no answer. Woking were able to run the floor on the break and effectively stifle the Storm's offence with their press defence.
Centre, Dom Sammut, put on an impressive performance achieving a double-double, with 22 points and 18 rebounds, earning him game MVP. Point guard James Dean again impressed, top-scoring with 28 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Other notable contributions came from Dan Marshall (10 points, 5 steals, 2 rebounds and 1 assist), Craig Mathema (4 points, 3 steals and 8 rebounds), and Ed Lewry (2 points, 5 rebounds and 1 steal).
The comfort of a substantial lead allowed the bench to get plenty of valuable court time with contributions from Freddy Dines, Rob Harris, Jordan Tyler and Ryan Gardener.
This performance puts Blackhawks in a great position to move ahead in the conference. With the signing of new forward, Gima Nwana (6'5"), the squad is now further strengthened.
Blackhawks: James Dean (28), Dan Marshall (10), Alex Hedger, Ed Lewry (2), Ryan Gardener (5), Freddy Dines (12), Jordan Tyler (6), Rob Harris (2), Craig Mathema (4), Dom Sammut (22), George Wilson.
04.10.09 - Blackhawks 82-97 Solent Kestrels
The first game of the National League season for the U18s saw them hosting one of the stronger teams in the conference, Solent Kestrels.
In an excellent first quarter for Woking Dom Sammut got his Blackhawks NL debut off to a great start by drawing a first minute foul which took him to the free throw line. The 6'7" centre calmly put his team's first two points on the board, then quickly followed these with his first field goal. Clearly, Sammut is going to play an influential role in the squad as the season progresses. Unfortunately, to go along with his Q1 6 points, Sammut managed to collect a crippling 4 fouls which put him on the bench for much of the game.
Playing some good, aggressive offence allowed Blackhawks to dictate the pace and draw valuable fouls resulting in seven visits to the line contributing 8 points towards the first period total, and a lead of 26-18.
With Sammut benched, Quarter 2 gave another new signing, forward, Adam Sansom, his chance to show what he can do. By dominating the boards at both ends and netting 4 points he helped keep the Kestrels' fight back to a minimum.
But it was the inspired efforts of point guard, James Dean, that troubled the visitors the most. His drives to the basket were virtually unstoppable and on the occasions he didn't get to the hoop he got to the foul line. His first half total of 20 points ensured the lead as the two teams left the court at the break, Woking up by 3, at 45-42.
Quarters 3 & 4 saw a tactical shift from Solent as they applied a full-court pressure defence which caught Woking off guard and resulted in a number of quick turnovers. Sammut fouled out which greatly weakened Woking's defence and limited their offensive options. By the end of Q3 Solent had turned a 3 point deficit in to a 13 point lead.
Despite some great outside shooting from Dan Marshall, Ryan Gardener and Jordan Tyler, contributions from captain, Ed Lewry, Ryan Gardener, Freddy Dines, forwards Craig Mathema and George Wilson, and a second half points total of 19 from Blackhawks' MVP James Dean, the game ended in a loss for Woking, 82-97.
Blackhawks: James Dean (39), Dan Marshall (6), Alex Hedger, Ed Lewry (3), Ryan Gardener (1), Freddy Dines (5), Jordan Tyler (4), Adam Sansom (12), Craig Mathema (6), Dom Sammut (6), George Wilson (3). (Score discrepancy due to score sheet errors).