Senior News
Team Gloster’s senior EBL team are pleased to announce the signing of 6’5 forward Ben Lakin. Lakin is another product of the Jets junior program and played several successful seasons of Junior Basketball earlier in the decade.
The 6’5 big man will provide yet more inside presence for the Jets, which he proved in a warm-up game with the local league men on Sunday scoring 19 points.
The Team Gloster Jets Men’s team picked up their first National League victory in an exciting 4-point victory over Plymouth Marjon Cannons in Plymouth on Saturday night. A tough game was waiting for the Jets at the end of the 3hr road trip to the depths of Devon.
The Cannons presented some familiar faces, including ex-Jet Sam Ottaway (now attending Marjons College), and a young team looking to make an impression at the senior level. The first quarter set the tone for a very physical game, within 2 minutes the Marjons were in team fouls and were bleeding free-throws to the Jets. This gave Gloster the advatange at the end of the 1st quarter (22-19).
The 2nd quarter saw the scoring rate slow down as both teams defences started to kick into operation. Will Hichens showed his athletic ability around the basket picking up multiple rebounds at both ends of the floor and converting them at the offensive end. Going into the half the Jets had the 6point advantage (36-30) and a positive outlook on the 2nd half.
The Cannons started the 3rd with a new resilience and immediately brought the game back to 4 points before a stalemate 2 minutes ended with a 7 point run for the Jets. Plymouth fought back again closing the gap to 3 points by the end of the quarter and setting up the game for a dramatic finish.
The Jets maintained the lead throughout the 4th quarter, but with it spending much of the period at 1 point. With a minute left the advantage was still 1 point and with 12 seconds left a Gloster foul gave Cannons Tom Riley a chance to take the lead from the foul line. Some stern words from Jets coach Christensen set the Gloster team up for a nerve-racking finish. England hopeful Riley stepped up to the line with confidence, but not the required composure and could not find the bottom of the net on either shot. Some scrapping for a rebound pushed the ball out of bounds and gave Gloster the ball on the sideline with 8 seconds left. Marjons still have 1 foul to give before going into team fouls.
Inbound pass from Hichens to Deacon, Marjons foul to stop the clock. Sideline ball Gloster ; 6 seconds. Inbound pass to Christensen, goes to evade the defender who fouls. 2 free throws and 4 seconds on the clock. Team captain Christensen nails the first shot (Gloster up 2). Second shot jingles off the iron and straight to Ben Parkyn, who immediately pushes the ball back into the basket. Marjons time-out. So Plymouth ball at the halfway line 2 seconds left. Gloster sink into a zone ensuring that Marjons have to pass the ball into the perimeter, ex Jet Sam Ottaway receives the ball 3 meters beyond the 3-point line. The long-range shot narrowly misses as the horn goes giving Gloster the much-needed victory.
The Jets next clash sees them take on Plymouth Raiders on the 22nd November at Deer Park School (1700tip), where the Jets will definitely be looking for another victory and an opportunity to move up the table.
Top scorers: Hichens (16), Christensen (15), Parkyn (11).
With only 8 players making the ‘international’ voyage across the Bridge there was little expectations on the Jets as they visited Cardiff Celts (Division 1) in Round II of the National Cup. The Celts, placed 3 divisions above the Jets, have been having a tough time in their first season in the top league and it was feared their frustrations in Division 1 might cause them to take little pity on a weakened Jets side.
The early stages of the game looked good for the Jets with 2minutes before a point was registered for either team on the scoreboard. Centre Adam Chick played excellence defence in the post against Cardiff’s 7ft Solomon Mills keeping the big man away from the rebounds and forcing bad shots. The quarter was definitely a defensive master class demonstrated by both teams as it closed out at 8-7 in Cardiff’s favour. The second quarter saw a quick opening by the Cardiff team as they took control of the initial stages. It such a low scoring game a 10point lead could have seemed like a mountain to climb for the Jets, but a strong run saw the game being tied with seconds to spare in the quarter. A misfortunate foul on the buzzer gave Cardiff’s Chambers 2 free throws, which he hit and consequently the Welsh side took a 2 point advantage going into the break.
The 2 changing rooms must have been quite contrasting scenes. The Jets who were playing well beyond their expectations and the changing was a calm place to be. However the Celts were in a 2-point game with a team 3 league’s their junior!
The dressing room words had an immediate effect as the Celts took an 8-0 run at the Jets, which would never be recovered. The Jets battled on through the quarter taking advantage of errors in the Cardiff defence but the Celts full court press forced the Jets into easy errors resulting in easy baskets for the Welsh team. The 25 point quarter for the Celts gave them a commanding position going into the 4th, 54-40. The 4th continued where the 3rd left off with Cardiff continuing to press and draw from the tiring Jets poor decisions. A strong finish from the Jets showed their tenacity and certainly drew some respect from the Cardiff players. The contest closed at 75-52 and was definitely evidence of some of the Jets best basketball this season.
Top scorers: Chick, Christensen, Hichens.
This Friday's international clash at Deer Park has been moved to the earlier time of 1845. Warm-ups will begin at 1815.
The annual fixture still promises to deliver a top quality game and a genuine basketball spectacle.
Entry is FREE and all are welcomed.