Basketball: Troon Tornadoes beat Boroughmuir Blaze

Sep 30 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

TROON Tornadoes senior men beat Boroughmuir Blaze 78-49 in Edinburgh, despite mustering only seven players and running into foul trouble.

Andy Pearson scored six of his nine points in the opening exchanges but Johnston scored eight of his game total of 14 points as Blaze held a14-12 lead.

Tornadoes went on a 12-0 run to take a commanding lead. In the second period, Tornadoes’ defence held Blaze to 11 points but they manage only11 points themselves with Chris Bombani scoring seven.

In the third period, Tornadoes outscored Blaze 28-16. Tornadoes Michael Lynn scored nine of his game high 17 points in this period, including an emphatic dunk at the end of the fast break.

On Friday (8.15pm), Tornadoes host title favourites and also unbeaten Edinburgh Kings at the Citadel.

Team: Malcolm Morrison (16 pts), Michael Lynn (17), Chris Bombani (16), Graeme Hunter, Fraser Smith, Euan Campbell (capt), Andy Pearson.

Tornadoes Cadet and Junior men opened their national league campaign away to title contenders Boroughmuir Blaze.

Blaze raced to 9-0 lead before Tornadoes under-14 player Ewan Lancaster put points on the board. Tornadoes turned the ball over to the opposition 18 times in 10 minutes to lose the quarter 22-5.

After some strong words at the end of the quarter from coach Scott Robertson and a change of defence, Tornadoes hit back. Seven different players scored for Troon, led by Greg Austin with four and Ewan Lancaster with three.

Tornadoes were still able to score during the third quarter with nice moves from Craig McIntyre and Sam Paterson, but were left with a mountain to climb losing 55-34 going into the final period.

Tornadoes then locked down Blaze to only five points during the final session. Craig Boyce scored four points while Fraser Wright put nine points on the board but they couldn’t stop a 60-55 defeat.

Under 14 and under 15 duo Ewan Lancaster and Sam Paterson combined for 18 points, 20 rebounds and three blocks.

The junior game also resulted in a disappointing 56-47 loss. Top scorer was Chris Miller with 19 points.

Tornadoes cadets and juniors host Edinburgh Kings at Marr College this weekend. The cadet game tips off at 1.30pm and the junior game at 3.30pm.