Cheshire Phoenix 100-83 Worcester Wolves

Sunday 28 April 2019

Worcester Wolves concluded their 2018-19 season with an 83-100 reversal at Cheshire Phoenix on Sunday.

Last week saw Phoenix cause an upset at British Basketball League champions London Lions. Their winning momentum carried them into a comfortable 45-30 half-time lead over Worcester.

Though it was a more closely-fought second-half, Wolves were never able to do enough to threaten a victory.

Darell Combs stood out in the early going. A swift six points were followed by him spying his fellow guard Miki Servera standing alone under the hoop for a simple layup.

Robert Crawford rose highest to tip in a Deshawn Freeman miss as the second quarter began, restricting Cheshire’s lead to just 21-19. However, there would be few attacks at the host’s basket after this.

Having already misfired on seven three-point attempts, that total of unsuccessful long-distance shots by the visitors had doubled by the interval.

Freeman finally got one to fall soon after the break, but ex-Worcester forward Disraeli Lufadeju did likewise at the end of the third quarter to maintain a 72-56 Cheshire cushion.

Jordan Whelan had a busy final period and Lester Prosper engaged in an entertaining big-man battle with seven-foot CJ Gettys as Phoenix did just enough to keep Wolves at bay.

Combs and Whelan joint top-scored with 16 points, closely supported by 15 from Prosper.

A last-day victory for Surrey Scorchers levelled their win-loss record with Worcester’s at the foot of the table, but Wolves having triumphed in two of the three games between the teams means that it is Surrey who are this year’s wooden-spoonists.