Rockets secured their first league win with a very good defensive game coupled to each team member contributing a significant part.
Head Coach Samit Nuruzade had new signing Zack Powell available whilst having lost the services of Sardar Pandher through a long term thigh injury. The squad was further depleted as all but one of the four academy players are also injured so just 9 players took to the court. Rockets won the tip but Dragons scored first before the consistent and dangerous Troy Cracknell hit the first of his personal points with a treble. Rockets other American Jermiah Jenkins then sank a treble before going coast to coast . Reis Pinnock took a charge and you could see from the tip that Rockets didn’t want to travel such a long journey without taking home the victory. Powell made his first contribution with an assist to Finleigh Porter but the hosts still edged the opening quarter 17-16.
The second period began with the score being level five times in the early exchanges as neither team was allowed to open up a lead. However at 27 apiece, Cracknell hit a treble, Powell did likewise moments later ( which he followed with a steal and slam dunk ) and then 18 yo Isaac Round hit back to back trebles as Rockets soared ahead by ten points. A Powell drive and spin move saw the visitors go the break with a 45-33 advantage, a double digit lead that they held till the end game.
Rockets had started their league campaign with games against the top three unbeaten teams so being in a winning position was something they wanted to hold on to. Another Powell steal and slam dunk kept the momentum and defensive qualities high in the third quarter and a no look Jenkins pass to Porter to not only score but also draw the foul was another highlight. Jordan Jackson worked hard inside and captain Ben Dixon ‘s experience helped the developing team. With a 60-45 score line in Rockets favour, Nuruzade knew Dragons would never lie down and their Head Coach Chris Mellor sensed that Rockets may get nervous in the final quarter so a 68-57 Rockets lead at the end of the third was well within Dragons armoury.
Yet another Cracknell treble eased Rockets into a 16 point lead early in the fourth period but with 6’10” Jackson signing out and Lewis Champion sitting on four fouls, the pressure was applied by Dragons who had a 5-0 run to get back into a game that seemed to be going away from them. Dixon took down a key offensive rebound and then was at the other end to take down a key defensive rebound as the game entered the last five minutes. A brace of Dragons trebles put fire into the Dragons and cut the deficit to five at 79-74 with I minute 19 seconds remaining. Both Head Coaches took time-outs to try and gain an advantage and secure a win. The atmosphere was electric in the arena but that got to some Dragons players and their Head coach who were both called for technical fouls. Up to the line stepped Rockets Mr Dependable Troy Cracknell to sink all three free throws and despite Dragons hitting another treble, Pinnock and Cracknell were secure from the free throw line as they were fouled and Rockets came away with a deserved victory at 88-77.
Top scorers for Rockets were Troy Cracknell with 24 pts , 9 rebounds and 6 steals as Jermiah Jenkins continues to settle more into the British game with 18 pts and 5 rebounds. Debutant Zack Powell stroked 13 pts and made 4 assists whilst Finleigh Porter hit 11 pts and took down 5 rebounds.
Rockets now look to entertain to entertain London Lions at Loddon Valley on Sun 27th Nov with a 4PM tip
Tickets are now available for that game here – https://readingrockets.co.uk/event/reading-rockets-vs-london-lions-ii/