Reading Rockets 93 v 73 Leicester Warriors
After a quite brilliant opening quarter when Rockets took a 33-11 lead, stayed well ahead by the interval thanks to a 24-21 second period seeing Rockets comfortably in charge of the game before the break at 57-32. Rockets had stroked 9 trebles in this time through 5 different players and were playing some of the best basketball seen in the town for many years giving the appreciate spectators much excitement .
The coaching team under Manuel Pena Garces though, have other issues to then contend with and a newly challenged Warriors came out of the blocks after the interval in buoyant mood with nothing to lose. They played much better and gave Rockets a much more competitive game taking the third quarter 22-17 having gone on a 22-11 run to close out the quarter reducing Rockets advantage to 74-55 even though Rockets had taken a 30 point lead at 63-33 through three trebles from Ali Sbai early in the period.
A steadier approach was needed in the final stanza and despite some banter and some unpleasantness, Rockets edged it 19-18 to secure a fine victory. New signing Elvisi Dusha had been introduced onto court late in the first quarter and showed what he can add to the squad as he gave 6 assists and made a pair of steals to go with his 17pts., and brace of trebles. Craig Ponder was again the architect of the best of Rockets as he made 4 steals, 5 assists and a brace of trebles in his personal tally of 20 pts. Ali Sbai had his best all round game since graduating to the Seniors through Rockets Academy. Captain Danny Carter had a double double with 13pts., and 12 rebounds to complement his three trebles in his 17 pt haul. As Rockets other big man Chris Hooper took down 12 rebounds.
Kent Crusaders 92 v 83 Reading Rockets
Head Coached by ex- Rocket Lloyd Gardner, Crusaders did anything but cruise this tough National Cup quarter final. The outstanding Kent side blitzed the opening exchanges 29-17 as the weary Rockets tried to recover from the long and arduous journey due to an accident delaying their M25 trip.
The second period saw 18 yo Ibu Demba Jassey stroke a treble to fire up Rockets before Joel Keeble finished well and Craig Ponder made a three point play having been fouled whilst scoring. An Elvisi Dusha treble saw the deficit just seven points but with every Rockets miss or turnover, Kent punished Rockets and eased ahead to an eighteen point lead before captain Danny Carter hit back to back trebles and a lay-up. An Ali Sbai block stemmed the flow of the Crusaders basketball but a Rockets technical foul helped Kent to a 7-0 finish and take a 57-40 lead into the second half.
Rockets worked hard to get back into the game and did so with a 10-0 run, their best of the game causing Kent to call for an early time-out as Rockets were in the ascendency and just seven points adrift. Rockets thought they had scored again but a foul was called on them in making the finish. ‘If only’ was the comment after the game by supporters and the like as Kent then went on a 7-1 run and Rockets missed a pair of scores. However the team re-galvanised themselves and through great floor hustle and a block from Chris Hooper coupled to back to back trebles from Juan Valerio, Rockets went into the final period just behind at 61-69.
A freshly energised Rockets took to the court and a 9-4 run saw them just three points down with over six minutes left. Rockets thought they had took a charge but the officials called it in Crusaders favour and they stroked the penalty shots. Hooper finished on the buzzer as Rockets supporters were also buzzing loud. Especially when Craig repeated a drive to the basket and Hooper scored twice to see Rockets within ever so close at 79-81 with just over two minutes remaining. A Rockets stop fell fortunately to a Crusaders player to lay-up and then Rockets turned the ball over and missed a couple of shots as Crusaders saw out the game from the free throw line as Rockets fouled to try and regain possession to take the victory but to no avail.
A tough loss but to a well disciplined and talented Kent Crusaders side by 83-92. Top scorers for Rockets were Chris Hooper with 23 pts, Craig Ponder with 18 pts., Danny Carter with 17 pts., and Juan Valerio with 10 pts.
Rockets return to action at Bohunt on Sunday afternoon with a 5 pm tip against Lancashire Spinners