Head head

Jan 25 2013 by Mike Wilson, Ayrshire Post

Troon Tornadoes senior men’s roller coaster of a season continues as they bounced back from a loss to Edinburgh Kings with a 67-60 win over Boroughmuir Blaze.

Not only does this win keep Tornadoes third in the national league but it was sweet revenge for the embarrassing loss to Blaze in the previous league encounter at Stewarton.

In that game Tornadoes were without influential captain Euan Campbell and high scoring Ifadade Thomas and managed only 29 points while Blaze shot the lights out.

Tornadoes outscored Blaze 22-13 in the first quarter and by half time were ahead 39-24. As Blaze started to make shots, Tornadoes’ offense went ice cold and they didn’t score for over five minutes as the Edinburgh side went on a 16-0 run to lead 40-39.

Ifadade Thomas rattled in Tornadoes’ next 13 points to steady the ship and by the end of the quarter Tornadoes led 46-42.

As Blaze were forced to foul at the end of the game, Tornadoes held their nerve to secure the important win.

It was a pyrrhic victory as three Tornadoes players were injured in the game and are not likely to be available this weekend against Dunfermline Reign.

Team: Brian Sedisa, Scott Armstrong, Ifadade Thomas (20 pts), Caio Avona, Euan Campbell, Johnny Petit (15), Andy Pearson, Chris Morrison, Fraser Smith, Graham Hunter.

Tornadoes cadet and juniors also faced Blaze, the cadets in a rehearsal for the Scottish Cup final on February 2 at Paisley’s Lagoon Centre.

Blaze are undefeated in the cadet national league and had already beaten Tornadoes but any thoughts of just turning up to win at the cup final were dispelled after Tornadoes snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Tornadoes led by 10 points at half time and maintained this in the third quarter. A full court defensive press by Blaze paid dividends and they ate away at the lead.

In the closing minutes, Tornadoes missed three of four free throws while Blaze made two from two from the charity stripe. With nine seconds left, Blaze scored off a drive and kick move to put them two points ahead.

Tornadoes called a time out but struggled to get a shot off and when they fouled a Blaze player on the buzzer, he stepped up to made one form two shots for a 69-66 win. Tornadoes will believe they can end Boroughmuir’s unbeaten run in the Scottish Cup final.

Tornadoes juniors lost 86-42 to Blaze. Both cadets and juniors host Dunfermline Reign on Saturday at Belmont Academy.