The Rossendale Raptors faced another Double header weekend as they played Sheffield Sabres (Coached by English Basketball legend Peter Scantlebury) on Saturday and Tees Valley Mohawks in the National Shield (League Cup equivalent) on Sunday. Once again the crowd were entertained on both days by Dance Like No-ones Watching street dancers, and Limitless Cheerleaders. The games were supported by Raptors sponsors, web design company ISSL.
On Saturday Sheffield were a strong a physical side, who were tactically and strategically well drilled and very well organised. The Raptors got away to an early lead following some good long range shooting from Aitor Estrada and led 18-9 at the end of the 1st quarter. Sheffield responded well in the 2nd and third quarters, making some good tactical adjustments to slow down Raptors leading scorer Steven Gayle. But the rest of the team stepped up and to keep pace with the Sabres and scores were close 44-48 at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth coach Jim Fry went with a smaller, faster line-up for the Raptors which paid dividends and it was a combination of some long 3 pointers from Gayle and Estrada and the inside aggressive play of Kuczaj which saw the Raptors win the game, 70-64. Gayle finished the game with 21 points, while Estrada and Kuczaj had 14 each.
On Sunday coach Fry decided to give his less experienced players a chance to shine as Steven Gayle was rested. The team performed brilliantly against a talented Tees Valley team. Despite trailing 16-9 at the end of the first quarter, a huge second period gave the Raptors a lead of 36-23 at half time. The Raptors didn’t trail again, and kept a comfortable margin for the rest of the game to run out winners 72-57. Estrada led the team in scoring as his fine shooting streak continues with 16 points, Kuczaj had 12 and Sutton 8 as 10 of the Raptors 11 players got themselves on the scoresheet. Special mention to Raptors big man Tom Sutton who collected 8 points and an impressive 16 rebounds and 2 blocks in just 20 minutes of playing time. 18 year James Harvey also played well in his first games for the Raptors, contributing significantly in the fourth quarter of Saturdays win and scoring 6 points on Sunday. The Raptors will now face Hull Wasps, a side led by GB U20 John Stewart in the fourth round.
Coach Fry commented: “It was a great weekend and I was pleased to get two important wins. I was really happy with the performance of the players on Sunday in particular. They stepped up, worked hard for each other and I think winning without Steve to spearhead the attack will have given them a lot of confidence.”
Raptors next home game is on Saturday 2 November 2012 when they host the high flying Northants Thunder which promises to be a great game between two of the divisions best teams.