Basketball: Troon Tornadoes beat Glasgow Storm to stay top four

Nov 18 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

TROON Tornadoes senior men consolidated their top four place in the national league with a hard fought 67-60 win over Glasgow Storm at Scotstoun.

Tornadoes were without two centres – in-form Andy Pearson and Alexi Zhyzhyn but did have centre Michael Lynn back in the line up. Lynn’s contribution was hampered due to running into early foul problems but when he was on the floor helped limit Storm’s 6’9” Martin Walmsley.

Tornadoes won the the first 18-14 while Storm took the second 20-16 to leave the game tied 34-34 at half time.

Ifadade Thomas and Johnny Pettit, with points each in the period, helped Tornadoes outscore them 19-12.

Storm made a run in the last quarter but Tornadoes held their nerve to make it two league wins in a row. On Saturday, Tornadoes travel to Glasgow University.

Team: Chris Bombani, Malcolm Morrison, Ally Hornell, Ifadade Thomas (17 pts), Ian Holland, Euan Campbell (capt), Johnny Pettit (20) Michael Lynn, Fraser Smith, Graham Hunter (10).

City of Edinburgh Kings lead the league with 14 points, from Clark Eriksson Fury 13, Tornadoes on 12 and St Mirren Reid Kerr College on 11.

Tornadoes Cadets recorded their first win of the season in a nail biter against Glasgow Rens at Shawlands Academy.

Tornadoes profited from a full court defensive press to take an 8-0 lead. Fraser Wright ran in seven of his game high 21 points during the period.

Rens settled but Tornadoes were still setting the tone, winning 12-19 at the end of the quarter. Tornadoes lost their momentum during the second period and allowed Rens under-16 internationalist John Kuriakose too many chances close to the basket as he scored 11 points to give Rens a 32-31 lead.

Captain Craig Boyce, Craig McIntyre and Wright continued to be a thorn in the side of Rens offensively. However, Tornadoes were still not up to the mark defensively, allowing Rens to win the quarter by one point to take a 50-48 lead.

Troon saved their best defence for the last quarter, limiting Rens to only 10 points with under 15 player Marcus MacMillan playing outstanding man-to-man defence on Kuriakose and taking away his threats.

Fraser Wright continued to dominate at the offensive end, and was ably assisted by the outstanding Craig McIntyre who finished the game with 14 points, 21 rebounds, two assists, three steals and six blocks.

McIntyre and Boyce held their nerve under pressure to sink one of two free throws each in the closing moments of the game to allow Tornadoes to win 61-60.

Team: Marcus MacMillan (3 pts), Alex Anderson (3), Greg Austin (1), Craig Boyce (capt, 9), Johnny McElhinney, Fraser Wright (21), Adam Jack, Craig McIntyre (14), Sam Paterson (2), Bonar Robb (4), Ewan Lancaster (2).

Tornadoes junior men started their national league match against Glasgow Rens by forcing them to make mistakes and turnovers. By the end of the quarter, Tornadoes held a 13-12 lead but when captain Chris Miller suffered an injury which required treatment in hospital, Tornadoes were left much smaller. Rens scored easy inside baskets and by half time led 30-25.

In a scrappy second half, the Tornadoes coach called two in an attempt to get team to play with more discipline. Although Tornadoes managed to break Rens defensive press, with Craig Moffat doing an excellent job running in baskets off the break, a lack of height and experience took its toll and Glasgow won 82-60. Tornadoes juniors showed promise especially in the first quarter and their hard work will surely pay off soon.

Team: G McMillan (15 pts), C Moffat (10), I Burns, M Gebbie, H Forsythe, G Hill, C Miller, A Gebbie, C McIntyre, S Paterson, C Boyce.

On Saturday, Tornadoes Juniors host Perth Phoenix while the cadets entertain Highland Bears.