Recap
Newcastle Eagles V City of Edinburgh Kings
Final Score 85 – 73 to Newcastle
The newly formed U16s conference team got their season off to a flying start with a hard-fought win over City of Edinburgh Kings.
Edinburgh won the tip and got the scoring underway in this back-and-forth quarter. Luca Snee was the first Eagle to get points on the board, but this was quickly answered by Edinburgh with 2 quick baskets and an additional bonus point from the free throw line. Harry Merrifield was next to get his name on the scoresheet and some strong defence from Arran Dower under the Edinburgh basket denied them another basket, Arran quickly followed this up with a basket of his own. The Eagles called a quick time out to settle the team down.
The team looked much calmer as they took to the floor and Harry Merrifield added to his points total with an And 1 basket. Edinburgh, however kept up the pressure adding 2 more baskets to their total. A substitution brough Luke Tucker and Leonardo Wilson to the floor. A foul saw Edinburgh on the free throw line where they added 1 more to their score. Harry Merrifield answered this with a basket of his own. An assist from Tyler Cadet lead to Luke Tuckers first points of the season. A solid block from Luke Tucker under the Edinburgh basket forced a turnover and sent the ball back to the Eagles end where a foul saw Harry Railton step up to the free throw line. Edinburgh found a way through the Eagles defence for another basket, but this was followed by a basket from Leonardo Wilson. Edinburgh had a run of baskets which the Eagles seemed unable to stop. The quarter ended 16 – 26 in favour of Edinburgh.
Quarter 2 started with some strong defence under the Edinburgh basket sending the ball back to the Eagles end. Harry Merrifield was the first Eagles to get points on the scoreboard in this quarter with 2 baskets. End to end play followed with neither team finding their way to the basket. The scoring drought was finally broken by Edinburgh from the free throw line. Unfortunately, Arran Dower was injured during the quarter and could take no further part in the game. When play restarted a steal from Luke Tucker turned the ball over to the Eagles and gave Harry Merrifield another for his tally. A foul sent Edinburgh to the free throw line once again where they managed 1 of 2 points. Luke Tucker sank the first 3 point shot of the game and gave the Eagles a confidence boost and he quickly followed this with a second three-point shot. A clearly rattled Edinburgh could not find their way to the basket then a third 3 point shot from Luke Tucker sailed in from the corner forcing Edinburgh to call a time out. The teams came back on court and a full court pass from Harry Merrifield gave Luke another 2 points for his tally. Edinburgh caused a 10 second violation, handing them the ball whoever they could not take advantage and a steal from Luke Tucker sent the ball down court where Joey Little got his first points in the game. At the Eagles end an assist from Luke Tucker gave Tyler Cadet his first points of the game. The Eagles solid defence denied Edinburgh once again, but a foul sent them to the free throw line for 2 points. A steal from Tyler Cadet gave Luke Tucker the ball for an And 1 basket where he took full advantage. Edinburgh finally found their way to the basket and the quarter ended 41 – 40 to the Eagles.
The Second half scoring was opened by Edinburgh with 2 quick baskets. An assist from Luke Tucker gave Luke Brown his first points of the game. Edinburgh answered with a 3-point shot of their own followed by a 2-point shot. Tyler Cadet found his way to the Eagles basket with an And 1 shot getting the Eagles back on track. The Eagles defence held strong under the Edinburgh basket denying several chances and sending the ball to the Eagles end where Luke Brown added a 3-point shot to the score sheet. Eagles called a quick time out. A tussle under the Eagles basket caused a jump ball giving Edinburgh the ball. A steal from Luke Brown sent the ball to Tyler Cadet for 2 more points on his tally but Edinburgh was able to answer this with a basket for themselves. Leonardo Wilson was next to the Eagles basket for 2 and a steal from Luke Tucker gave Leo Glaholm his first points of the game. Leo Glaholm stood strong on defence taking a charge from Edinburgh. A long pass from harry Merrifield gave Luke Tucker his 4th 3 point shot of the game and a foul soon after sent him to the free throw line for 1 more. And the quarter ended 59 – 58 to the Eagles.
Luke Brown opened the scoring in the final quarter. Leonardo Wilson was next to find his way to the basket. A foul saw Edinburgh back on the free throw line for 1 point quickly followed by a 2-point basket. Harry Merrifield was next to find himself on the free throw line for 2 more points. Play flowed end to end for a time but Joey Little landed a 3-point shot to get the scoring going again. Leo Glaholm went basket to basket to add 2 more points to his tally and a time out was called by Edinburgh. Edinburgh were on the free throw line at the restart of the game but could only manage 1 of the 2 points. Joey Little added another 3-point shot to the scoresheet quickly followed by a 2-point basket. Edinburgh answered this with a 2-point basket. Leo Glaholm added 2 more baskets and the Eagles widened their lead. Another time out was called. Edinburgh opened the scoring once play resumed but Luke Brown was quick to answer this with a basket of his own. Joey Little added another 3-point shot to his tally and Edinburgh could not find any answer. The final time out of the game was called. Harry Merrifield found his way to the basket when play resumed and the game ended 85 -73 in favour of the Eagles.
The team face their first away game next week when the travel to Leeds to face City of Leeds.
