Recap
Eagles U18s took on Liverpool Basketball Club at Newcastle college’s Ryehill Campus. The visitor’s started strong, going on a 6 point run while the Eagles found their feet. But 3 minutes into the game the Eagles came back led by the energy brought off the bench by Ricardo Rizza. The U18s picked apart their zone defense as the visitors struggled to score on the interior to end the first quarter 22-11 for the home team.
The second quarter Liverpool changed their defensive tactic and the Eagles u18’s failed to find the net as their field goal percentage dropped significantly as the visitors dominated the interior and post play. Liverpool clawed back their lead to end the second quarter up by 3 points leading into halftime. 33-36.
Liverpool came out the second half with 7 unanswered points which resulted in the Eagles U18s coach calling a timeout. Midway through the 3rd quarter the visitors took a commanding lead of 39-50 and with 5:50 remaining in regulation of the 3rd it was time for the home team to go on a run of their own, a 13 point run to end the 3rd quarter down 1 , 54-55.
In the 4th quarter it was very much of the same with the home team getting into foul trouble. Home team went 0-6 from the free throw line. Both teams put on a hard fought 4th quarter with the Liverpool ending regulation time with 67-72 win over the home team.
Eagles u18’s coach Calvin George said “First game of the season, some small technical errors were made on our part which we will rectify in time for our next game. Our team showed intensity but that accompanied with foul trouble led to the eventual result. Plenty of work to be done but a bright road ahead”
Next Saturday with see Newcastle Eagles away to Derby Trail blazers for what is expected to be a tough match up.
