Trophy dreams alive as Storm slay the Bradford Dragons
Louis Sayers in action for Hemel Storm
Bradford Dragons 69 Hemel Storm 80
Hemel Storm have made it through to the National Trophy semi-finals thanks to a gutsy fight-back at Bradford Dragons on Sunday.
The Trophy is open only to teams in England Basketball’s top flight Division One and the newly-promoted Storm have upset the form book making it to the last-four where they will host Essex Leopards.
Dragons looked to be in control of the game after a 25-15 first quarter and they still led by seven points at half-time.
But Storm took control of the game at the defensive end and held Dragons to 25 points in the second half – including just nine in the final quarter.
Bradford included former Storm player Bobby Edmunds in their line-up, but the American guard was restricted to nine points by Storm’s current lead guard Bode Adeluola.
GB U20 international Louis Sayers top-scored for Hemel with 26 points and Dru Spinks supported him with 17.
Hemel coach Mark Lloyd said: “I thought our guys showed a great deal of character and mental toughness when we were down double digits to fight back and get the win.
“To now have the chance of reaching a national final in our first year in Division One, with an all-English team, is I think recognition of everyone’s effort at the club.”
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Weather for Tring
Friday 24 May 2013
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