Hartlepool HEAT 68 vs Teesside 105
Hartlepool HEAT tipped off the Durham League Basketball Season with a home game to local rivals Teesside.
The HEAT welcomed two new signings in local lad Marc Taylor who at 20 is a young talented and athletic player who will bring a defensive and offensive energy to the team while the second signing is well-travelled guard Ryon Dixon who is well known around the league for his superb outside shooting.
HEAT opened the game with club captain Anthony Robinson nailing a 3-pointer but the visitors replied instantly and took a slim lead. Graeme Errington responded for the HEAT who due to injuries and the great north run could only field 6 players for the game.
Both teams enjoyed good spells throughout the 1st quarter and after 10 minutes the game was tied at 18-18.
New boy Taylor opened his HEAT account with a nice two point play to start the second quarter edging HEAT in front but Teesside turned the screw and went on an 18-5 point run leaving HEAT hot under the collar and forcing Robinson to Call a time out.
The six players caught their breath during their time out as Robinson gave instructions however Teesside continued with the baskets with Alex Moore scoring 8-personal for the visitors before half time and HEAT trailed by 15.
Both teams had good spells in the second half and traded baskets but Teesside’s lead grew and their 12 man team advantage of being able to substitute and rest players really showed as the HEAT team tired towards the end of the third.
Things then got worse for the home team as Errington, the team’s only big man fouled out leaving HEAT to play with 5 players and with a patched up defence for the remaining four minutes with Teesside leading 78-54.
Sean Mckenzie put some much-needed points on the board for HEAT who kept trying to plug the gap but as Teesside ran in fresh legs, HEAT ran out of steam.
Scorers: Robinson 19 Errington
15 Mckenzie 12