Cheshire Phoenix 91-103 Worcester Wolves

Worcester Wolves completed a double-winning weekend on Sunday by overcoming Cheshire Phoenix 103-91, successfully following up Friday’s victory over Leicester Riders.

Despite currently sitting in tenth place in the British Basketball League, Phoenix have hit a fine run of recent form, recording wins over three title-contenders in London Lions, Sheffield Sharks, and Newcastle Eagles.

Their confidence flowed over into Sunday’s contest as they scored freely to build a 53-42 half-time lead over the Wolves. They were still 86-83 in front of their visitors going into the last couple of minutes, before being pegged back to an 88-88 tie that led to five minutes of overtime before they would finally submit.

Consecutive three-pointers from British forward Jamell Anderson had Worcester calling for their first time out, trailing 14-20. Eight points from Jermel Kennedy was the only significant offensive input from a Wolves player in the initial quarter of the match.

Kennedy took the opening basket of the second period to pull matters back to 22-26 and was then thankfully joined in the scoring charts by Maurice Walker who toiled for five close-to-the-hoop successes before half-time.

Before the interval, Worcester could do little to repel a series of direct drives to their basket that built their host’s double-digit lead. After the break, Cheshire’s effectiveness with this same tactic was contained by a wall of defenders.

At the same time, Trey Zeigler stepped forward with nine valuable points. The home side’s frustration showed when Dijon Allen-Jordan attracted an unsportsmanlike foul after being harassed by Zeigler into travelling with the ball and reacting by throwing his arm into the Worcester man.

With the deficit dragged back to just 64-67 entering the last quarter, the sides would stay close over the remainder of regulation time. Alex Navajas was the next player to shine for the Wolves. He notched his first points of the night a minute into the period, before proceeding to tear to thirteen in all.

It was 88-88 with 48 seconds to go when a Marek Klassen triple was waved off after the onlooking Walker was adjudged to have pushed into his defender. Worcester were favourites to win when holding possession with six seconds remaining, but Cheshire point guard Mike DiNunno forced Klassen into a turnover.

However, DiNunno’s chance of glory was denied by Kennedy rising to swat his shot attempt high into the stands and send the game into added time.

A teardrop basket from Klassen put Wolves in front as overtime commenced. Trevor Setty was on target from afar, then intercepted the ball on Cheshire’s next inbound before being bundled to the floor. After sinking two foul shots he slotted in a third bonus shot awarded after DiNunno was sent off the court for dissent.

Walker set the seal on the 103-91 success with a celebratory three-pointer.

Coach Paul James expressed his delight at seeing his side emerge victorious, saying: “Today was every bit as good a victory as Friday was over Leicester.

“It was always going to be another tough battle against another team currently on a hot streak of form. We were poor defensively in the first half, but adjusted in the second. We were much more aggressive, got a series of stops, had a chance to win in regulation, and kept at it to get the win in overtime.

“This match will stand us in good stead for the rest of the season. We showed a lot of maturity and discipline to get back into the match and then made big shots when we needed to.”

Walker led the scoring with 22 points, with Setty and Kennedy tallying 16 points apiece. Navajas’ 13 points was followed by 11 points for both Klassen and Zeigler, with Danny Huffor notching 10.

Next Friday will see another test of Wolves’ mettle when high-flying Newcastle Eagles visit the University of Worcester Arena (7.30pm). The following Sunday will see a trip to Glasgow Rocks.

“Tonight was another example of multiple players contributing to the scoring and lots of character on display,” added James. “We’ve had an outstanding weekend, but next weekend will be another huge one for us.”

Tickets for the Newcastle Eagles game can be purchased here