Troon Tornadoes are too strong for Glasgow Rocks

Oct 1 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

TROON Tornadoes seniors continued their winning ways by beating Glasgow Rocks 87-56 at the Citadel.

Guards Ifadade Thomas and Chris Bombani hit 14 first quarter points as Tornadoes led 26-14. Centre Michael Lynn came alive in the second quarter and helped extend the lead to over 20 points.

Rocks hit back to 45-30 at half-time. Tornadoes’ best spell came in the third quarter when they scored 19-8, with Muir Campbell scoring nine of his 14 points. Tornadoes won the last quarter 23-18.

Josh Crolley, in what may be his last game for Tornadoes this season, scored eight of the last 10 points. He is set to spend another year in the USA.

Tornadoes would have liked to have him available for their game against St Mirren at the Citadel on Friday evening. Their first two wins have been against new teams to the national league but the game against St Mirren will be the first real test.

Team: Chris Bombani (10 pts), Ifadade Thomas (16), Muir Campbell (14), Johnny Pettit, Euan Campbell (capt), Michael Lynn (10), Alexi Zhyzhyn, Scott Frew, Josh Crolley (14).

Tornadoes Juniors beat St Mirren 74-55. Up 45-31 at the break, Sam Jack hit a purple patch with 10 points.

In the final quarter, Tornadoes tired and although Joshua McGillivray had a good spell, the session was lost by three points.

The result gives coach Bob Taft personal satisfaction as two seasons ago Saints dispensed with his services as junior coach. Tornadoes face a difficult trip on Saturday to Edinburgh Kings.

Team: I Burns, S Armstrong (12 pts), S Jack (18), C Savage, C McQuade, J McIlwraith (15), H Baker-Flanagan, C Millar, J McGillivray (14).

Tornadoes Cadet Men made it two wins from two with a 66-49 victory over St Mirren.

With five different players on the score sheet, Tornadoes led 18-11 at the end of the first period.

Tornadoes stepped it up a gear in the second period. Guards Alan Gebbie, Mark Gebbie and Hamish Forsythe found their team-mates to rack up 25 second quarter points, to lead 43-18 at the half.

Although Tornadoes managed only nine points during the third quarter, they kept focus and concentration, limiting Saints to only nine points.

The coach then rested his key players and lost 14-22 in the final quarter despite rookies Craig Boyce and Craig McIntyre, chipping in with six and two points respectively.

Debutant Gregory McMillan scored nine points and defended well.

Team: Alan Gebbie (3 pts), Mark Gebbie (5), Greg Austin, Craig Boyce (8), Craig Moffat, Fraser Wright, Gordon Hill (7), Craig McIntyre (2), Hamish Forsythe (5), Sam Paterson, Gregory McMillan (9), Joshua McGillivray (capt, 27).