Basketball: Trooon Tornadoes complete league double over Glasgow Storm

Feb 4 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

TROON Tornadoes senior men completed a league double over Glasgow Storm with a 80-61 win at Scotstoun Leisure Centre.

Tornadoes had won convincingly at Ayr but for the trip to Glasgow they were without three centres, Scott Frew, Michael Lynn and high scoring Johnny Petit.

Walmsley, Storm’s 6’10” centre, made full use of height against the under sized Tornadoes as he scored seven of their first nine points.

However, Tornadoes stayed in the game by making three point baskets – one from captain Euan Campbell and two from Malcolm Morrison. Pressure defence stopped the ball getting to Walmsley and with Zyhzyhn and Holland converting put back lay-ups off missed shots, Tornadoes took a 21-16 lead into the second period.

Tornadoes were brought into the team defensive penalty very early and Storm capitalised. With Thomas and Morrison in form from the perimeter, Tornadoes finished the half 40-31 ahead.

In the third period, Tornadoes’ defense slumped and they gave up 26 points. American signing Donald Sampley made two key free throws followed by a deep three to help them stay in contention and going into the last quarter, Tornadoes trailed 57-55.

In the last quarter, Storm crumbled under Tornadoes full court pressure defense and the Troon team outscored them 25-4 to run out convincing winners.

On Friday, Tornadoes host new national league team Knights and will look to revenge a big loss in their earlier meeting in Stirling when centre Michael Lynn was disqualified amid controversy. He was then banned for eight games and this effectively ended Tornadoes’ hopes of making the play-offs.

Team: Chris Bombani, Malcolm Morrison (15 pts), Ian Holland, Ifadade Thomas (20), Donald Sampley (10), Euan Campbell (capt), Stuart Ramsey, Jordan McIlwraith, Alexi Zhyzhyn (10 points), Fraser Smith.

Tornadoes juniors and cadets return to action on Saturday when they travel to Glasgow Rens who they beat in the first league game at Marr College.

Rens’ junior and cadet teams are both much improved since those games and Tornadoes will have to be at their best.