The McDonalds Nottingham Hoods started their 2016-17 season with a home double header weekend taking wins against Killamarsh Derbyshire Arrows and Northants Thunder.
Saturday saw the Hoods defeat Division 2 rival Killamarsh Derbyshire Arrows in Patrons Cup action. Handing debuts to David ’Tin Tin’ Watts, Delaney Powell and Liam Jefferson, alongside nine returning players led by club stalwarts Kieran Wright, Kirk Davies and Lukasz Siczek, the Hoods started the brighter of the teams and jumped to a 9-4 lead. Both teams displayed the look of teams very early in their seasons with errors creeping into their play, however the Hoods did not relinquish their lead throughout.
Paced by club captain Wright and new signing Watts, the Hoods ensured that crucial possessions on the offensive and defensive ends weren’t missed to keep the Arrows at bay. Despite a spirited fightback in the closing minutes from the away team, Coach Phil Waghorn’s team were able to close out the victory 70-66. David Watts led all scorers with 20 points, whilst fellow new signing Delaney Powell added 11.
Sunday night would see the home team back in action at the Nottingham Wildcat Arena this time in National Cup play against Division 3 side Northants Thunder. Buoyed by their victory the previous night the Hoods raced out to a 21-9 lead at the end of the first quarter with Wright finding Siczek for a couple of easy fast-break scores.
The game would slow in the remaining three quarters as the visiting team scrapped to stay in the contest however the experienced Hoods side were able to utilise their experience and superior bench depth with all 12 players contributing to a 77-53 win, including 19 year old former Junior, Isaac making his his first team scoring debut – which got the Merry Men to their feet. Watts again led all scorers with 18, supported by Siczek with 15.
The McDonalds Nottingham Hoods now travel to London Greenhouse Pioneers to start league play before returning home on 15th October to face Newham Neptunes.
Elsewhere on Saturday, a disastrous 1st quarter led Hoods II to suffer their second defeat of the season, going down 64-53 to Sheffield Sabres. Thompson led the scoring with 16, Spencer adding 9 and James & Watson Roach adding 7 each. The u14 almost started their Premier league debut with a major upset before going down 53-61 to Sheffield Junior Sharks.
On Sunday, Hoods u18 ran out comfortable winners 75-44 against Leicester Riders with the u14 second team also beating Leicester Riders 58-50.
