At a packed Loddon Valley on Sunday afternoon, Rockets continued their recent improvement as they took the roar out of the Lions after a very tight opening two quarters. The talented young Lions were first on the scoreboard before Lewis Champion sent an assist to Jordan Jackson to the basket quickly followed by a Reis Pinnock assist to Rockets ‘Mr Dependable’ Troy Cracknell to hit the first treble of the game. With each Rockets score Lions replied as the lead changed hands with almost every possession. Rockets American point guard Jermiah Jenkins hit a pull up score but Lions hit a treble though Champion replied likewise immediately leaving the teams just one point adrift again. GB U18 Captain and recent recipient of Reading Sports Personality Improver of the Year, Isaac Round scored before Champion saw Rockets finish the opening period 22-23 down.
Pinnock spun to score before Finleigh Porter made a key block as Lions threatened . Cracknell imposed himself again with a drive and a pair of free throws as Rockets opened up a 7 point advantage midway through the second quarter at 36-29. Lions fought tenaciously to stay in touch and cut Rockets lead to just a single point with less than 3 minutes to the interval. A Pinnock pull up jump score and a brace from the free throw line edged Rockets ahead as both teams hit trebles in the dying moments seeing Rockets lead at the break by 49-46.
Lions scored from their opening possession but a brace of trebles from Jenkins and Cracknell coupled to a big rejection from Porter saw Rockets enjoy a double digit advantage for the first time in the game at 55-45. Porter lit up the arena with a slam dunk and another rejection. Lions fouled both Rockets three point shooters Champion and Jenkins and the guys hit 5 from 6 to extend Rockets lead. The proud Lions came back again to cut Rockets lead to five but a Cracknell treble and a Porter brace saw Rockets go into the final stanza 76-66 ahead.
Lions scored first but a pair of assists from Jenkins to Porter and then Dixon where he stroked a treble saw Rockets 81-68 ahead early in the final period. With Rockets in team foul trouble Lions were successful from the free throw line and got within 7 points of Rockets at 76-83 midway through the final period. A Jenkins drive and spectacular drive , score and draw the foul saw Rockets back with a double digit lead at 89-78. Though Lions hit 5 quick points in the last minute to get within 7 with 19.1 seconds left, the cool Cracknell finished Rockets scoring and saw the hosts secure a solid home victory by 94- 86.
Top scorers for Rockets were Troy Cracknell with 28 pts, 8 rebounds and 3 assists as Lewis Champion scored 15 pts with Jermiah Jenkins and Finleigh Porter hitting 12 apiece with Porter having 5 blocks.
