The first ever Crusaders Cup took place last weekend at Body and Mind. With four very competitive teams taking part the weekend turned out to be a big success for everyone involved.

The first semi-final saw Bristol Academy Flyers take on Southampton Trailblazers. Despite a good team effort Southampton were unable to contain Ryan Williams, Bristol’s US import, who poured in 31 of his teams 102 points. Bristol got off to an early lead ending the first quarter up by 33 points to 11. Southampton couldn’t recover from this, and only scored 12 points in the second quarter to leave them trailing Bristol by 35 points at the halfway stage.

Southampton competed better in the second half lead by Anthony Rutter (14 points). But Bristol were far too strong with other contributions coming from 18 year old guard Tyrone Treasure (12 points) and new signings Richard Garside and Arkadiusz Makowski who both had 11 points. Bristol ran out eventual winners 102 to 62.

The second semi-final between Crusaders and London Leopards was a much closer affair. Despite Leopards eventually coming out on top by 18 points Crusaders competed right up to the end. Both teams started strongly and at the end of the first quarter the London team held a small seven-point lead. A poor 2nd quarter from Crusaders saw Leopards extend this lead to 19 points, leaving the half time score at
43 – 24.

In the second half Crusaders led by the scoring of Steve Findley, who finished with 17 points, won the 3rd quarter by 2 points. Despite this and a strong 4th quarter from the home team, strong play from London’s Fola Adekele (19 points) and 7’0 U18 England player Leigh Greenan (13 points) kept Leopards ahead with the score finishing at London Leopards 80 – Kent Crusaders 62.

On Sunday the 3rd place playoff saw the losing semi finalists Crusaders and Southampton go head to head. Crusaders again started the game poorly and handed Southampton a 10-point lead in the opening quarter. The Trailblazers dominance continued into the 2nd quarter with Rutter and Gaye (both 12 points) leading the scoring. The half finished with Crusaders down 40 to 25.

Crusaders came out strong in the second half and behind a much-improved defensive display held Southampton to only 18 points in the whole of the second half. Offensively Steve Findley again top scored with 16 points and James Harris added 13 points. Guard Rikki Broadmore also had a good all round game finishing with 5 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists. Crusaders cut the lead to 10 points by the end of the 3rd quarter.

In the fourth Kent put several big plays together and with the momentum of the home crowd behind them, a jumpshot from Mike Webber gave them the lead with twenty seconds left. Southampton then turned the ball over and Crusaders held on for the narrow victory. The final score was Kent Crusaders 61 – Southampton Trailblazers 58.

The final of the tournament promised to be a good game with London Leopards going up against Bristol Academy Flyers. Both teams started the game well and the scores were tied after the first quarter at 22-22. Bristol opened up a 9 point lead in the second quarter with Ryan Williams (32 points) again leading their scoring.

In the 3rd quarter London cut Bristol’s lead to just 4 points after some important baskets from Quincy Shannon (26 points) their American trialist. However the final quarter proved to be one sided with Bristol scoring 31 points with contributions from their young guards Greg Streete (14 points) and Tyrone Treasure (13 points). Leopards could only scored 13 points in the fourth quarter to leave Bristol overall winners of the tournament. The final score was Bristol Academy Flyers 96 – London Leopards 74.

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