Medway Park Crusaders used their much improved defence to surprise fifth place Edmonton at home in Medway on Saturday. The team has shown great improvement on the defensive end, as witnessed by Crusaders holding the Storm to only 41 points over the first three quarters.

Coach James Vear seems to have turned the Crusaders’ fortunes around as they have now picked up three win in five matches. The only losses since Vear took over have come against top teams Durham and Brixton, while two of the wins have come against playoff teams.

The visitors got the first basket of the game behind new signing, ex-BBL player Joe Matthews, but then were unable to get a field goal until seven minutes into the game. By then Crusaders had built up a leas as they started the game hot and burst out to a 15-5 lead behind Brad Smith’s eight points on a layup and two three pointers and Sam Betts’ five points.

Edmonton were not about to lie down, though, and started slowly clawing their way back as Crusaders offence slowed down. At quarter time Crusaders were up 21-15 and midway through the second quarter the Storm took the lead at 27-25. Smith was able to keep the sputtering Crusaders defence going with eight points and playing his best game of the season captain Sam Betts was able to secure a halftime lead for Crusaders with a last minute three pointer for the score 35-33.

From the start of the second half Crusaders blitzed the Storm as Betts hit his third three pointer of the game. Edmonton got three points back, but from then Crusaders went on a 24-5 run for the rest of the quarter. Again it was Smith leading the charge with nine points in the quarter on his way to a game high 35.

For the first five minutes of the fourth quarter the win seemed secure as Crusaders built the lead to 68-45, but then Edmonton stepped on the gas while Crusaders looked a little nervous. Fuelled by Pierre Henry-Fontaine’s 30 foot three point make the Storm cut it to 57-72 with a minute to go and they got as close as 75-65 with seconds left but it was too little, too late and Crusaders saved a 77-65 win.

Coach Vear was happy with the result: “The team came out tonight and set the tempo from the very start. We knew Edmonton were very talented especially as they had picked up a no of players over the past few months. They would want to push the pace but we did a great job of controlling the tempo the entire game.”

Crusaders are now starting to look up in the table to make a push for the playoffs. Betts said: “Big win at home against a very talented and athletic team. We need to make a push now to get into playoff position by continuing to improve as individuals and more importantly as a team”

Coach Vear echoed the captain’s thoughts: “We are not happy with where we are in the league and want to start putting some pressure on the teams above us. The whole team have really bought in to the way I want them to play and this is starting to reflect in the way we are playing.”

Notes

•    Brad Smith is now 5th for points in a season
•    Brad Smith has set a new club record for free throws in a season
•    James Harris moves into a tie for 2nd in career field goals, Damian Lyons to 5th in career field goals
•    Sam Betts moves to 4th in career 3s

Date Played: Saturday, 30-January-2010

Home Team: Medway Park Crusaders 77

Away Team: Edmonton Storm 65

Venue: Medway Park

Scores:

Leading Scorers:

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