Reading Rockets 77-91 Solent Kestrels
Following Saturday evening’s game in the Midlands Rockets entertained the league champions and National Cup finalists on Sunday afternoon, still without Head Coach Dan Pearson suffering with Covid. The illness had befallen some players too the previous week so a double header of effort was the least the team needed as recovery to full fitness is slow. Nonetheless Rockets put on a very spirited performance leading the game until the final moments before the half time interval.
Tyler Cartaino had picked up a hamstring in jury on the opening stages of Saturday evenings’ game so was out so coupled to A J Basi’s news of being out for the season, this gave each of the four Academy guys court time. Reis Pinnock, who transferred from Solent early in the season, was everywhere as he stroked trebles, drove determinedly to the basket and flew high to take down rebounds in an excellent performance which inspired the team. Pinnock opened Rockets scoring with a drive and lay up which Jaz Bains followed with a fade away score before Lewis Champion drove and scored. Solent made their first score but again Bains sent an assist to Pinnock who hit a wide treble and then Meshack Lufile took down his own rebound to score. When Bains struck a treble from way beyond the top of the key, Rivermead was rocking with delight . Sam Toluwase then scored off an offensive rebound and Lufile worked an opening inside giving Rockets a 20-11 lead. A Solent time -out changed their focus and they hit 5 of the last 7 points to finish adrift of Rockets who led 26-20 at the first break.
Solent scored off their first possession but a Bains assist to Lufile helped him to a jump score before Pinnock rose high to take down a defensive rebound and then stormed up court to hit a top of the key treble . A pair of Toluwase scores including a slam saw Rockets with an 11 point advantage at 37-26 as Rockets continued with their up beat and very watchful team play. Unfortunately Rockets found themselves in team foul trouble which Kestrels capitalised on together with hitting a brace of trebles to reduce Rockets lead to just a single point with 3 minutes to the interval. More penalty free throws gave Kestrels the lead but a superb treble from way out wide by 17 yo Ashley Kitchen saw the score 46-43 in Kestrels favour at half time.
The third quarter began with a Bains treble rimming out before he scored , drew the foul and made a 3 point play . Pinnock spun and made a similar 3 point play before Dixon stroked a treble to see the teams drawn on 56 and then 59 points apiece. However then Kestrels went on a game winning streak as they hit 4 trebles before the quarter ended with Rockets trailing 60-75. Then they continued their dominance with another 8 quick points to take the game away from a somewhat tired Rockets. But this Rocket team has style and tenacity and fought right to the buzzer as the four Academy students played together for the last couple of minutes giving them very useful court time against the best team in the league for the last 3 seasons , fighting with scores from Isaac Round and Live Kivuvu to see Rockets finish 77 – 91 behind but an excellent game and show case for the top league in English basketball.
Top scorers for Rockets were Reis Pinnock with 20 pts , 9 rebounds and 4 assists as Meshack Lufile had a double double with 17 pts and 10 rebounds. Sam Toluwase scored 15 pts and took down 8 rebounds as Jaz Bains hit 12 pts and made 4 assists.