The McDonald’s Nottingham Hoods warmed up for a massive game next weekend with a comfortable 71-58 home win against London Westside, with all twelve players getting good court time, stretching their unbeaten home run in leagues games up to 18.
Hoods took hold of the game early with points from Miguel Lorenzo, Alvaro Urbistondo and Lukasz Siczek as the three stars put the home side into a 6-0 lead before a response from Westside. Further points from Lorenzo, Matt Wilson, Kieran Wright, and Anyaegbuna saw Nottingham finish the first quarter with an 18-11 lead.
England star Luke Mitchell started the points run for the Hoods in the second with a downtown 3 pointer to push the lead out to 21-11 and the home side continued to dominate with Lorenzo controlling both ends of the court. Assisted by points from Nottingham local Kirk Davis and New Zealander Wilson, the home team went into the half time break with a 40-26 lead.
London Westside started the third quarter like a train and had an 8-0 run, hitting two long distance three points shots putting pressure on the Hoods to bring the score back to 40-34. It was to be short-lived though as Davis and Urbistondo gave the Hoods a ten point lead at 44-34. Westside upped their game as both teams went at it, trading baskets before Davis, Lorenzo and Urbistondo pushed the Hoods into a 17 point lead. A buzzer beating three by the visitors tied the quarter but Hoods still had a commanding lead heading into the final 10 minutes, leading 58-44.
The final quarter saw the introduction of Hoods Danny Wong, Liam Kelly and Kallum Dunn alongside Mitchell to bring fresh energy to the floor and despite Westside continuing to up the tempo, it was Mitchell who started the scoring with another 3 pointer from the corner. Dunn, who was having his best game of the season, added two more quickly followed by a further two baskets from Miguel to push Hoods into a 23 point lead at 67-44. With Westside continuing to improve points were going in at both ends Mitchell and Anyaegbuna helped Hoods to a 71-49 lead with four minutes to go. Hoods then took their foot of the pedal in the last four minutes allowing Westside the final 9 points but finished with a final score of 71-58.
This sets up another great night at Wildcats Arena next Saturday at 6.30pm when the only two remaining undefeated teams go head to head. East London Royals were relegated from Division 1 last season and have been unrelenting in their quest to return to the top flight with some very impressive results so far this season. We need the support of our Merry Men more than ever. The game is preceded by Hoods II in another go to game against Kingston with a 4.00pm tip off. This is a call for all Hoods supporters to show up at Nottingham Wildcats Arena this Saturday to make as much noise as they can. The game is going to be hard so the guys need all your help.
Hoods Scorers: Lorenzo (18 & 10 rebounds), Urbistondo (11), Mitchell (10), Davis (8), Siczek, Wilson, Wright (6), Anyaegbunan (4), Dunn(2).
In the Men’s Development League Hoods II lost their game at high flying Gateshead 71-53 in their first defeat of the season.
The Hoods Under 18 boys continue to improve and came away from Ilkeston Outlaws with a 74-34 win. That gives them a creditable 3-3 for the season.
Hoods young Under 14 boys faced a very strong second place Leicester Riders team and came out on the wrong side of a 23-68 defeat. In their first season of national league the young side are having a good season winning 3 and losing just 4 so far.
Junior Players of all abilities, gender and age are welcome at the Hoods junior training sessions at Becket School on Monday Evenings with the first session free.
