Reading Rockets would start their doubleheader weekend on the road, traveling to Brighton Bears in what would end up being a comfortable 32-90 victory.
Though without star player Reis Pinnock who is out due to injury and new American Taylan Rowe who is out due to personal reasons, the Rockets would find themselves comfortable throughout the game.
A 24-5 opening quarter would see the Rockets stroke four trebles and defend stoutly, allowing Head Coach Samit Nuruzade to give his young players much needed court time, Harry Millbank truly benefited from which by hitting 14 points.
Captain Lewis Champion would lead by example scoring a treble before the Rockets would link up with some great teamwork finishing with an Elijah Maynard floater. Aussie Mitch Clarke hit three trebles including a brace from the top of the key to further inflict damage to the Bears inexperienced squad. Zack Powell would finish the quarter by slamming a powerful dunk to cement a strong first quarter lead for the Rockets.
The second quarter was much closer , 15-13 in Rockets favour. Quality length of court passes, coast to coast scores and incisive drives continued to be Rockets way as they went to the break 39-18 ahead with both Clarke and Maynard in double points.
Powell started the third period with a pair of assists to Round and Clarke before an outstanding pass to Maynard for an alley hoop. A Finleigh Porter slam coupled to a Maynard rejection, kept the tempo high for Rockets before a delicate finger roll from Champion and a Millbank end line drive and score saw Rockets on a 21-1 run and a lead of 64-23.
The Bears , despite an injury to one of their key players would continue to work hard and play their game in front of an appreciative crowd and scored 9 points in the final stanza, but Rockets would light the touch paper on trebles again , hitting five in the final quarter, the victory for Rockets was assured.
Top scorers for Rockets were Elijah Maynard with 19 pts and 11 rebounds, Mitch Clarke with 18 pts and 7 assists, Isaac Round with 17 pts and 7 rebounds as 16 yo Harry Millbank hit a season high 14 pts and took down 4 rebounds.
Rockets returned to Loddon Valley for the last in their KitKing Trophy Pool games on Sunday against Barking Abbey.