Having not lost at home since March 22, the hosts were confident at the Storm Dome but an opening blitz from Rockets soon quietened them as Elijah Maynard continued his improvement and
hit Rockets first points before stroking a treble . When the influential Mitch Clark and captain Lewis Champion drove to score and Chris Alexander took down a defensive rebound to send Zack Powell to score and draw the foul, Rockets led 14-4. The resultant time out by Storm saw them hit three quick trebles punctuated by Alexander being secure from the free throw line and Fin Porter spun to score leaving just a 5 point gap for the hosts at 15-20. However Maynard stroked another treble and Reis Pinnock hit another right on the buzzer to see Rockets enjoy a 30-18 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Strom scored first in the second period but a brace of Champion trebles complimented by great team play giving Powell the opportunity to stroke another saw Rockets comfortable at 40-25.However a 10-2 Storm run cut the deficit before Powell was fouled twice hitting all 4 free throws. Another 9-2 Storm run coupled to some contentious foul calls saw Rockets with a slender 48-45 lead at the interval.
Having had to be rested for much of the first half due to being on two fouls the remerging Clarke imposed himself with 22 of his 26 points coming in the remaining periods including three trebles in this quarter with Jenkins having a pair and Maynard continuing to show he’s now settled into the Rockets system and team. However you always know the Hemel team won’t lie down as Hakeem Sylla led them and Seth Swalve kept the hosts in touch at 62-69 adrift as the final quarter beckoned
More fine team play finding the spare player frequently saw a confident Rockets maintain a double digit lead throughout the period though the fouls kept being dished out against the visitors, much to the dismay of Head Coach Samit Nuruzade and the big group of loud and appreciative following supporters. With both Powell and Maynard fouled out and 4 guys on 4 fouls, the end game could have proved more troublesome but the great team spirit continued to show as Rockets took the victory 92- 84 maintaining their good progress and keeping in touch with the league leaders.
Top scorers for Rockets were Mitch Clarke with 26 pts, Lewis Champion with 14, Jermiah Jenkins and Chris Alexander with 12 each coupled to an great all round contribution from Elijah Maynard with 11 pts, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks.