Match report – Aztecs Falcons vs Kennet Kingfishers

• in Club News, Falcons, Match Reports

Aztecs Falcons 45 – Kennet Kingfishers 59

(13-14; 19-27; 37-39; 45-59)

Leading scorers:

Paul Howard 15; Tim Tostevin 13; Matt Blowfield 5

Match summary:

After a disappointing showing last time out the Falcons responded superbly in training and played their best basketball in a season and a half against the leaders of Division 3, the Kingfishers from west Berkshire. The Falcons responded to losing the first basket by taking a 6-2 lead after 3 minutes, and a Tom Dawkes long-range 2 on the buzzer at the end of the first period kept the Falcons in the hunt at the first interval. The Falcons dropped off in the second period as they failed to make a field goal in 7 minutes and trailed 19-27 after a disappointing 6-13 quarter. At half time the mood was up-beat and the third period saw the Falcons go 18-12 to trail by just 2 at the start of the final quarter. The Kingfishers took control as the Falcons energy levels waned, and the 8-20 period score was a harsh end to what had been a terrific performance by the Aztecs third team.

Key stats:

In the first and third periods the Falcons out-scored the visitors 31-26, but lost the second and fourth periods 14-33. Foul shooting was below par with 5 of 16 made (31%) which made it difficult to take advantage of the team foul bonus shots after the Kingfishers got into foul trouble. The visitors had given up only 3 fouls in the first half, but then committed 12 fouls in the last 15 minutes of the game – a very interesting stat for those who were at the game

Coach Walker’s assessment:

This was a match it might be best to remember! It was a super performance by the 9 Falcons against the top Division 3 team in the first half, a cracking come-back in the third period, and despite the disappointing final session the players should be thoroughly proud of their improvement over the past 18 months. It would be unfair to single out any one player as everyone played with determination and passion and played superbly at times, with ball movement, rebounding, shot selection and defence all much-improved on previous performances.

Next game:

Sunday 24^th February 2019 at 6:20pm away to Farnborough Phantoms 2 in Division 3 at Frogmore Leisure Centre.