Recap

U16 boys fall to Northampton after England guard puts on a clinic

The Eagles U16 boys were picked apart 90-64 at the Vertu Motors Arena by the Northamptonshire Titans as the visitors gained sweet revenge for their loss earlier in the season.

The win for the Titans was founded on a spectacular 30 points from England playmaker Ethan Round who also dished out countless assists to help Northampton get the job done. The Eagles were unable to contend with the clinic he put on, despite trying various different defensive strategies. While the Eagles enjoyed a positive start, the hand of Round soon became influential and he helped Northampton take a commanding 28-16 advantage at the end of the first quarter. After the gap was extended to more than 20 points, the home side then rallied before half-time, benefitting from a zone defense as they trimmed the arrears to 49-36. But a bad start to the second half saw Northampton assume control and they never let their grip on the game loosen until the final buzzer confirmed victory.

Eagles’ captain Jesse Osarenkhoe top scored with 13 points and completed a double-double with 11 rebounds.

“It was a day when we were undone by a combination of a classy young player like Ethan Round who did what he wanted, when he wanted and also our inability to be consistent,” stated Head Coach, Chloe Gaynor.

“Yes, sometimes we look great and then other times we switch off from the fundamentals in particular and it becomes very frustrating.

“We must now regroup as we have some huge games ahead of us and look to get better in every area because we need to do a lot more if we want to improve out current record,” she concluded.