CT v Dynamic Allstars 22/10/11

First Half:

(Initial line up for Cheadle – Joe, Sol, Sean, Josh, Tom)

Cheadle attacked from the tip-off with Sean making the first score. Quick steals and long, fast drives left All-Stars at the wrong end of the court wondering where the ball had gone. There was some accurate passing from CT too – Sol's long pass to Joe for a great basket in the 5^th minute looking particularly smart. DA, against a robust defence from Cheadle, failed to make anything of the few chances they were allowed.

(New line-up – Matt F, Karl, Dan, Matt A, Harry)

The new line-up began in the same spirit, with Karl scoring within a minute of coming on. Then All-Stars turned on the aggression at last. Cheadle responded with a close contact defence. It looked scruffy, but, despite a couple of free throws from their #11, it stopped DA from scoring. A last minute basket from Dan ended the half.

Half time score : CT – 20, DA – 0.

Second Half:

(Back to initial line-up)

Having failed to score in the first half, DA came out looking as if they didn't want to play. Cheadle responded with an old favourite routine – get the ball to Sean and watch him score. All-Stars failed to mark the man, and after 10 minutes Cheadle were another 14 points ahead.

(New line-up)

Matt A made a great drive to score almost as soon as he came on court. But DA, perhaps relieved at seeing the back of Sean, looked more relaxed after the exchange, made their first basket in the 33^rd minute and then added a couple to it. But, with 2 baskets in the final 30 seconds of the match, Harry ended the game decisively for Cheadle, and in high style.

Final Score: CT – 42, DA – 6.

Stats:

CT: Sean – 18; Josh – 6; Joe, Harry – 4 each; Tom, Karl, Dan, Matt F, Matt A – 2 each.

DA: #13 – 4; #0 (unnumbered) – 2.

Pros and Cons:

Cheadle have beaten DA 52- 2 so the result is no surprise. It was a pleasant surprise to see more players driving confidently up the court as this has been a weakness in the past. More, please!

I'd say the second line-up played too defensively. Given the weaknesses of the All-Stars you could afford to take a few more chances.

Man of the Match:

I'll say Sean – for making some great steals (we knew already that you could shoot!).

Nickname:

I can't think of one this week, but I'll just put on record that the DA player with the crazy shaved head (#11?) is called “Logo”. Watch out, lads. If I find out that there's a sponsorship available I'm getting out my clippers.

And Finally:

I really enjoyed seeing the match at the Amaechi Centre (and the pizza). It was such great value that I'll be taking Tom to see magic play as soon as work permits; let me know if you want to get rid of your child for a couple of hours! Thanks to Grant for researching and organising, and to Andy for being the occasion. 

 John Amaechi - jumping