Basketball

Harlow Hawks 52 v 47 Michaelians

HARLOW Hawks triumphed 52-47 at home to Michaelians in division two of the Hertfordshire Basketball League.
The hosts imposed themselves on the game early as Rimantas Norkeliunas was a beast on the offensive boards and earned himself six trips to the free throw line.

Hawks moved the ball well on the offensive end but only really had success attacking the basket as they displayed bad form on most of their jump shots.

The home side led at the end of the first 15-9.

The second quarter is one the home side will want to erase from its memory, they managed only three baskets in the entire period. Their play was littered with sloppy passes, unforced turnovers and missed shots and allowed the visitors to reduce the deficit.

However, they still never managed to get their noses in front as the Hawks limped into the half-time break up 22-18.
Michaelians started the second half with two long range bombs to tie the game, this lifted their confidence as they continued their run and took a four-point lead.

The home side’s offensive troubles continued although it wasn’t for the lack of effort.

The shots were not falling and confidence seemed at a low.

A three pointer from Sam Kmita and a jump shot from Lee Morris meant the Hawks went into the final period down 37-34.

The Hawks came out fighting as the defensive intensity went up a couple of gears, making it hard work for the visitors to put points on the board.

It was Roan Lenihan who got the run going and restored the lead.

Morris drained a corner three-pointer to open up a small advantage.

Coach Shab Niaz put on his experienced players to close out the match.

The points dried up but Harlow held on for a narrow victory.

HARLOW HAWKS: Lenihan (14pts), Kmita (11pts). Norkeliunas (6pts), Stonehouse (6pts), Morris (5pts), Whytock (4pts), Moss (4pts), Martin (2pts), Jones, Lovett, Adnan, Frieder.