The regular season got back underway at the weekend, with six games taking place in D1M. Here's a recap of some high scoring games across the division.
Second placed Hemel will have found this a much harder challenge than the reverse fixture given Leopards’ new signings, but they came out on top of a high-scoring encounter to maintain the chase on top spot.
Former BBLer Elvisi Dusha impressed with 23 points, while Orland Jackman registered a 11-point, 12-rebound double-double for Leopards.
But they were outshone by Storm star Gregory Poleon, who recorded a double-double of his own of 23 points and 11 rebounds. He was backed up by Bode Adeluola’s double-double of 17 points and 11 assists as Storm saw off their local rivals.
National Cup champions Kestrels returned to league action with a comfortable 97-69 win over Westminster Warriors. Travis Charles starred for Kestrels with a 30-point, 12-rebound double-double as Warriors were left to rue a slow start in the opening quarter.
Thames Valley Cavaliers continued their winning run with a 101-97 road win at Leicester Warriors. The game was kept close by the 23-point, 12-rebound posted by Warriors’ Roderick Howell as well as a further 23 points from TJ Henderson, but 34 points and 11 rebounds from Hakeem Sylla was enough to put Leicester to the sword.
In the Midlands, Derby Trailblazers came out on top of their local derby against Nottingham Hoods with a 97-90 win. Demetrius Houston impressed for the visitors with 30 points, but 27 from Sergio Gomez combined with Malcolm Smith’s 21-point, 11-rebound double-double gave Derby the win.
Liverpool suffered a 100-88 home defeat at the hands of Bradford Dragons. There were plenty of impressive performances on show, as Uche Umweke (27 points, 10 rebounds), Tyme Regent-Bascombe (22 points) and Reiss Haggith (20 points) all hit the 20 plus mark for the hosts, while David Walsh (23 points) and Kehinde Ogunneye (22 points, 15 rebounds) starred for the winning Dragons.
Finally, Loughborough Riders earned an impressive 97-79 road win at Worthing Thunder. Reis Pinnock’s 20-point, 12-rebound double-double helped make sure of the win, despite 21 points on the board from Thunder’s Amarjit Basi.
3:00pm - Leicester Warriors 97-101 Thames Valley Cavaliers - LIVE STATS
5:30pm - Liverpool 88-100 Bradford Dragons - LIVE STATS
6:00pm - Team Solent Kestrels 97-69 Westminster Warriors - LIVE STATS
7:00pm - Hemel Storm 99-93 Essex & Herts Leopards - LIVE STATS
7:15pm - Derby Trailblazers 97-90 Nottingham Hoods - LIVE STATS
7:30pm - Worthing Thunder 79-97 Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS
2:00pm - Loughborough Riders P-P Reading Rockets
There’s an action packed week 20 in store with 11 games pencilled in, beginning with Loughborough Riders vs Hemel Storm in the early tip-off. It starts off a double-header for them as they also host Derby Trailblazers, who have an extra game of their own against Kestrels.
Leicester Warriors host Reading Rockets and Barking Abbey, who also take on Bradford Dragons in a busy week for them.
Thames Valley Cavaliers take on the new-look Leopards as well as Hemel Storm in a double week for them both.
Liverpool face Westminster Warriors, who will also battle it out with Nottingham Hoods in week 20.
Main Image credit - Luke Simcock
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