Posted on September 27th, 2013

West Craven Turbines vs. Leyland Lions

The West Craven Turbines were back in action for their first league game of the 2013-2014 season as they took on the newly formed Leyland Lions, who are not the only new edition to the Hyndburn & District Basketball League as Fylde have also entered the league along with two new teams from Blackburn Phoenix; however, the long standing Lancashire Police and Ribby Hall Jets unfortunately have pulled out for 2013-14. The Turbines had eight players available for this game including three new signings in Raul Gonzalez, Maciej Furga and Sam Binney. Last season’s top scorer and MVP Pete Marshall was joined by regulars Renko Ireton, Dan Widdup, Pete Robinson and Phil Smith returning from the University of Northumbria.

The first quarter started out as the Lions gave the Turbines a shock with a good array of shots that would help them take a very good lead at the end of the first quarter at 18-9. The Turbines offence started slow and stagnant and any open shots did not drop as they struggled to convert.

The second quarter was the turning point as Furga replaced Widdup in the line-up the Turbines put their foot down and not let the game get away from them. The Turbines defence intensity increased as Lions only managed to score 5 in the whole quarter giving their offence chance to take off with sharp moves from Gonzalez and fast break opportunities for Robinson. However, these would be a small fraction of Turbines points as Marshall exploded scoring 3 consecutive three point shots and an array of deep twos to blow out the Lions and end the half with Turbines taking the quarter 35-5 making the half time score 44-23 with Turbines comfortably leading.

West Craven would continue their dominance in the third quarter with Marshall, Gonzalez, Magic, Ireton and Smith splitting the Lions defence to gain points from inside. Good offences and strong defence became the key to coming out on top early in this match.

Now with a commanding lead the fourth quarter seemed a bit quiet as Marshal, Gonzalez and lreton were brought off to run the bench and give rookie Binney some court time. However, Turbines played through the fourth like they did in the first allowing Lions to get good points on the break and shoot from the free throw line with some very controversial fouls from small forward Robinson. That said the game ended on a high as Turbines took the victory 80-56.

A good game plan from Turbines as they were provided with a tough challenge with the new team’s enthusiasm. However, stronger and tighter defence is to be added in order to keep out the bigger teams and more consistency on offense as and better decision making the Turbines with be needed and changes to the line-up as the season goes on. MVP for this game goes to Pete Marshall with multiple rebounds and high percentage shooting figures scoring 39pts. Turbines next play Blackburn Phoenix 1 on Wednesday 2^nd Oct. 

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