Basketball: Troon Tornadoes cadet men lose to Boroughmuir Blaze

Mar 11 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

TROON Tornadoes Cadet Men crashed out of the post-seasonNational League play-offs after a surprising 52-56 defeat by Boroughmuir Blaze.

After comfortably beating Blaze twice already this season, Tornadoes were hot favourites. They struggled early with Blaze's full court defensive ball pressure but were able to win the first quarter 13-11 thanks to seven early points from Gordon Hill.

A better show in the early stages of the second period allowed them to extend their lead to double digits thanks to six points in succession from Mark Gebbie and a long range three point effort from brother Allan.

However, Blaze’s internationalists, Malcolm Winning and Ronan Mullen, combined for 12 points to reduce the Tornadoes lead to 28-25 at the half.

Tornadoes saved their worst basketball of the season for the third quarter when Blaze racked up 19 points offensively, with Mullen and Winning combining for 13 of them.

Tornadoes managed only an embarrassing two points thanks to a Craig Boyce lay-up with one minute left and going into the final quarter, Blaze led 44-30.

Tornadoes won the fourth period 22-12 but it was too little too late as they could not reduce the Blaze lead to any less than four.

Coach Scott Robertson was furious with his players' effort and the fact they picked up only six fouls in the entire game showed their lack of desire to play defence.

If Tornadoes are hopeful of winning the Scottish Cup at the end of March, they must improve on their poor form of late.

Team: Fraser Wright, Greg Austin, Craig Boyce (8 pts), Mark Gebbie (10), Allan Gebbie (6), Gordon Hill (11), Craig McIntyre, Hamish Forsythe (8), Sam Paterson, Gregory MacMillan (2), Joshua McGilvray (capt, 7).

Tornadoes juniors kept alive their hopes of play-off success when they beat Dunfermline Reign 82-62.

Sam Jack lit up Reign from behind the three point arc making three x three point shots in the opening period while Jordan McIlwraith was able to score from the perimeter and get to the basket with ease.

Joshua McGilvray picked up an injury in the cadet game and played on a few minutes in the junior game. He will need to be fit if Tornadoes are to beat St Mirren in the semi final on Saturday and then meet the winners of Edinburgh Kings and Glasgow Rens.

Their chances will be boosted if their only other genuine centre, Chris Savage, is available for both games.