Match Report
Heat Men vs Norton A
75-52
Competition:
Heat Defeat Highly Rated Norton
Heat continued their impressive run in the Teesside League by seeing off a New look Norton team albeit a few players short due to injury and Team manager James Thompson choosing not to travel. The visiting team, Coached by the injured Cooper started in a 2-3 Zone with Wassell, Ndlovu, Finmore, G.Jackson and Butler while Heat started with Ord, Ray, McKenzie, Thomas and Robinson.
Robinson wins the tip and a pass back from Ord sees Heat score first, Ord is then fouled and goes to the line but fails to convert. Finmore then drives to the basket strong and scores then nails a long 3 to lift Norton into the game with a 1-point lead but Ord and Thomas combine well and Heat take the lead back. The next four minutes sees Robinson, McKenzie and Thomas destroy Norton with 14-points while Norton only manage another two.
Thomas keeps the pressure on Norton by working hard down low and with a fast break by Ray and a long 3 by Robinson Norton find themselves 27-9 down within four minutes of the 2nd. Finmore then adds to his tally with another 3 to try and give Norton some boost but Heat hit straight back through Reed with excellent drives and Ord going strong to the ring. Ivey checks into the game for Norton and straight away gives them points with a nice 3 and a good drive but not enough to catch Heat who lead at half-time 36-19.
The 3rd was the best quarter of the game for Norton with Coach Cooper switching them to a Man Defence in the hope of slowing Heat down. It seemed to work and the physical presence on D helped steal the ball and Norton through G.Jackson scored first. Heat responded with outside shooting from Robinson and an inside play from Donnison. G.Jackson, Wassell and Finmore all contributed for Norton helping them win this quarter 20-18 but 12-points from Robinson with great support from Reed and Ray ensured Heat still led 54-39.
McKenzie made sure Heat started the 4th on Fire with a 3 before a steal and an assist to Robinson. Ord stepped up again and went to line converting 2/2 and before Norton had chance to re-organise Heat were up 22 - points. Heat then just spread the ball getting Musgrave open for an excellent 3 followed up quickly with two strong drives to the basket before Wilcox took his man and hit a long 3 to seal a 23-point loss for Norton.