Match Report: Warwickshire Hawks U14 vs Nottingham Hoods U14

Date: 7 February 2026
Final Score: Hawks 70 – Hoods 52

The Nottingham Hoods U14s returned to action after a week’s rest, welcoming back a full squad and introducing a new player on the bench for this home fixture against Warwickshire Hawks. With memories still fresh of a narrow, hard-fought victory in the reverse fixture, the Hoods were keen to build on that performance and reassert themselves on home court.

Q1 – Bright Defence, Lost Momentum

The opening quarter began slowly, with the Hoods creating good looks through strong layups that unfortunately failed to convert. A missed three and a well-read defensive interception — only to be blocked at the rim — summed up a frustrating start. Positively, the Hoods’ defensive effort was excellent, shutting down Hawks possessions and keeping the score tight.

The deadlock was finally broken from the free throw line, and greater fluidity followed as the Hoods found joy driving through the paint, though finishes remained elusive. A smart rebound from a missed free throw resulted in points, and at 8–3 the Hoods held early control. However, momentum slipped as the Hawks found space from open looks, while the Hoods were limited to speculative long-range attempts. Rushed shots late in the quarter were punished by a Hawks buzzer-beater, flipping the score to 10–18 at the end of Q1.

Q2 – Closing the Gap, Searching for Composure

The Hoods opened the second quarter from the line, only for the Hawks to respond immediately. A lack of clinical execution in attack slowed progress, with quicker ball movement and simpler decisions needed to break through.

Encouragingly, improved passing and movement allowed the Hoods to close the gap, though missed close-range jump shots prevented them from fully capitalising. Consistency proved difficult to maintain, but a timely three kept the Hawks within reach as the teams traded baskets. The half closed with the Hoods trailing 25–30, still firmly in the contest.

Q3 – Momentum Swing

Regrouping well after the break, the Hoods improved shot selection and began to claw their way back into the game. However, the Hawks’ centre again asserted influence, blocking key attempts in the paint and halting the comeback.

An injury to a Hoods player forced an unplanned rotation, and the Hawks took advantage, stretching the lead with a well-worked three. At 33–36, the game still hung in the balance, but an unanswered eight-point Hawks run followed, prompting a timeout. The quarter ended with the Hoods facing a 36–48 deficit.

Q4 – Effort Without Reward

The final quarter opened positively with a confident layup followed by a three, briefly reigniting hopes of a comeback. Yet the Hawks’ centre continued to dominate defensively, blocking drives and creating opportunities at the other end.

As fouls accumulated and momentum proved hard to find, the Hoods were again restricted to long-range attempts. A collision in the paint left a Hawks player down temporarily, but play resumed with the visitors maintaining control. Despite continued effort and flashes of attacking intent, the Hoods were unable to overturn the deficit, with the game closing at 52–70.

A challenging afternoon where strong defensive spells were undone by missed chances and Hawks’ control of the paint