HEAT Do Double in Durham!
Just four days after becoming league champions, Hartlepool HEAT Men’s 2nd team faced Young Houghtonians in a game which like the 1st team’s cup final a week earlier, either side could have won. A very slow start from both teams had Houghton leading 4-2 after almost seven minutes of basketball. The last three minutes however, Houghton bombarded HEAT with 8-points and by midway through the second quarter HEAT trailed 16-5. A time-out by HEAT gave them the chance to re-group and with Davison, Donnison and Reed the Hartlepool team pulled themselves right back into the game. With less than a minute left of the half, HEAT somehow had found themselves leading by 4 - points but a lack of concentration allowed Desbrough to score on the buzzer keeping Houghtonians cup dream alive, 22-20 at Half time.
HEAT struggled to deliver any sort of consistency throughout the game that has seen them top the league this season, playing well in flashes but then struggling seconds later. Houghtonians were looking strong and having lost twice to HEAT in the league this season sensed an upset was on the cards. The Houghton captain, Morton linked up excellently with Desbrough and HEAT were soon trailing by 8-points. The Hartlepool outfit shrank the deficit and even though HEAT only trailed by 5-points at the start of the 4th they knew they had a mountain to climb if they were to get a win, nothing was going their way and Houghtonians were looking like very worthy cup winners.
Up step Adam Wilcox who hit a huge 3-pointer, his second of the game which instantly lifted the whole team including the coach and the players from the bench. A tense 8-mintues followed as HEAT kept Houghtonians to 6-points and had every chance to extend their lead through free-throws. A Donnison basket with less than a minute remaining gave HEAT a 5-point cushion, they just needed to keep the ball and run down the clock, Houghton needed the ball so pressed forcing HEAT into freak errors. A HEAT turnover led to a Houghton basket by Whitaker who bellowed for his team mates to press the inbound. They did and HEAT only got the ball over the half way line until another forced error gave possession back to Houghton, queue Desbrough who with 4 seconds left nailed a 3-pointer forcing the game into over time!
Over time was an emotional rollercoaster for both players and the HEAT faithful that had a followed the team to watch. A strong start by HEAT looked like the tide had finally turned for them but again HEAT missed free-throws, allowing Houghton to get back into the game. Both teams had spells were they would trade baskets but in the fifth and last minute of over time Joe Davison who by his own admittance had been having a quiet game put HEAT up by 1-point. All they needed to do was stop Houghton; Davison stole the ball and with a lightning quick lay-up gave HEAT a 3-point advantage. In a repeat of the previous week’s final, Houghton called time-out with .5 seconds left. It was clear they were going to look for Desbrough who had been outstanding all game. HEAT also called their time out and were instructed to pick up man-man by Coach Robinson. The HEAT defence smothered the Houghton team and without even realising it Campbell stole the ball from Houghton, as his team mates celebrated League and Cup Double Success. Hartlepool HEAT’s Nick Donnison was voted M.V.P (Most Valuable Player) for an outstanding game.