Basketball: Troon Tornadoes go close against Falkirk Fury

Mar 9 2012 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

TORNADOES senior men almost caused the upset of the season against Falkirk Fury.

Fury started with a 6’10” centre and a 6’9” power forward and should have dominated against a team whose starting five tallest player was 6’5”.

However, full court defensive pressure rattled Fury and steals led to transition baskets for Tornadoes. Ifadade Thomas was particularly impressive and by the end of the quarter Tornadoes led 16-10.

With Thomas picking up an injury to his hand early in the second quarter, Tornadoes struggled offensively. Fury made 12 free throws but, with Graham Hunter and Andy Pearson making back to back three point shots, the quarter finished with Tornadoes trailing 31-30.

The third quarter proved a disaster and although they held Fury to 15 points they managed only six. Tornadoes could make no inroad and lost 63-51.

This was a huge improvement for Tornadoes who had given up 32 points in the first quarter in the game against Fury in Falkirk.

On Friday, Tornadoes head to Stirling Knights in the last game of the regular season. Win or lose, Tornadoes will face Glasgow University in the first round of the play-offs.

Team: Chris Bombani, Scott Armstrong, Ifadade Thomas, Euan Campbell (capt), Johnny Petit, Andy Pearson, Josh Crolley, Fraser Smith, Graham Hunter.

Tornadoes Juniors finished their regular season with a 77-68 loss to Perth Phoenix. They had hoped to continue were they left off after beating the national league second top team, Tayside Musketeers.

Trailing 50-27 at the break, Tornadoes started two cadet players and this led to the team being more aggressive. Phoenix struggled to get the easy fast break points and were forced to work on a half court game.

Tornadoes outscored Phoenix 31-27 in the second half but it was not enough. Tornadoes now have a big game when they play National League Division Two side Glasgow Rocks in the first round the play-offs.

Team: M Gebbie (15 pts), G McMillan (13), H Forsythe (11), G Hill, C Miller, B Baniulis, C Boyce, A Gebbie, F Wright, I Burns.