Melton Kings went into their last game of the season knowing that a win would secure them 2nd place in the Sherwood Under 12’s league. Their opponents were Chilwell Comets, who have been a mid-table team all season, but were not to be underestimated.
The first quarter started quickly with Chilwell taking an early lead going 7-2 up within 4 minutes. Kings tightened up their defence with Finlay Tuck leading by example, playing with heart and tenacity to stop their scorers. Tuck also finished the quarter really well at the offensive end taking the ball to the basket to score as well as hitting a 15 foot jump shot. Billy Parker and Willow Baxter-Clucas both made a great passes to Nathan Britton who was getting into space well and swished the ball through the hoop from 6 and 8 feet respectively. Kings finished the quarter 9-8 down but had set the tone for the second quarter.
Kings brought experience off the bench during the second quarter with both Jack Hodgkinson and Charlie Haffenden playing in their last game for the under 12’s. This is where the game turned into Kings favour with Haffenden and Hodgkinson dominating the game offensively and defensively. Both players adding to Melton’s ever-increasing score. Great team play from the Kings helped Britton increase his personal tally and saw Oscar Jones get onto the score sheet with a nice baseline move including an around the back dribble to beat his defender. Kings dominance in this quarter saw them stop Chilwell from scoring at all in the 2nd quarter. Kings went into half time leading 47 – 9.
The third and fourth quarter was more of the same from the Kings as all players contributed well at both ends of the court. Melton were passing the ball very well, Britton kept up excellent offensive play and scoring more baskets along with Tuck who was having the game of his season. Baxter-Clucas was contributing to the scoring too with some excellent footwork around the basket. She also provided a great assist to Parker to get him on the scoresheet finally, after his previous attempts had been unlucky to bounce around the ring and not go in. The Comets could not cope defensively, and with the Kings dominant defensive play they struggled to score many baskets, meaning Kings ran away with a convincing 68-19 victory.
Because of the nature of the league each team can only take 8 players to any one game. Kings have 12 players who have rotated throughout the season and all the players have contributed extremely well to the games they have played. Special mentions should be made to the players that could not play in this game but who have also contributed to kings receiving the runners up trophy. Big thanks to Jack Bloor, Jack Healing, Francis Butler, Oscar Hunt and Finlay Turner-Smith.
Scorers for Chilwell game:
Britton 18, Hodgkinson 16, Baxter-Clucus 10, Tuck 10, Haffenden 8 Jones 4, Parker 2
