Dave Ryan reports…
THOMAS Baker was delighted as his Levett Essex Leopards side produced another dominant National Cup performance with a 132-75 hammering of East London All-Stars.
Having produced a club record-equalling 73-point win in the previous round, the Big Cats set new records for points in a half (73), points at the end of the third period (97) and points in game.
“It was another clinical performance today from the guys to add to the positive start we have had this season” said Baker.
“We came out on fire and it just felt like it was going to be that day for us. We shot an impressive 50 percent from the three point line hitting 14/28 shots from behind the arc. Notable performance from Will Ashby as he scored eight of them.
“Getting to the foul line 28 times was also positive and to see how many points we scored off of turnovers was particularly pleasing too as it links to the style of play we want to impose on the game. John [Shodipo] showed what a great addition he is going to be for us this season leading the way with 29 points and he was able to bring in his team mates also.
“To have 30 assists as team shows just how well we played together in this game. It was a great game to get everyone involved, bench players were ready to step up when needed. No one played more than 20 minutes today and it allowed us to practice some tactical execution in live play which is always a bonus.
“I’m looking forward to seeing this group grow together game by game, we will enjoy this cup run as long as it continues but our main focus remains ensuring that we continue to perform well in the league and we now need to concentrate on Sunday’s league game against Westside at the Brentwood Centre.”
Shodipo added seven rebounds, six assists and five steals to his 29 points in just 16 minutes of action, while Ashby finished with 28 points and four boards, converting eight of his ten three-point attempts.
Shaq Lewis (16), Korry Callum (13), Jordan George (12) and Dougie Bennett (10) all finished in double figures as ten Leopards got on the scoreboard.
The visitors matched the Big Cats early in the game and were leading 15-14 at five minute mark of the first quarter before seven Shodipo points in a 16-0 Leopards run put them in control.
The home side led 30-24 at the first break but it was a dominant second period that effectively ended the game as a contest with Ashby taking his first half tally to 20 points as the London side were outscored 43-13 to give Leopards a 73-37 lead.
A Jamie Hayes trey launched a 9-2 run which took the margin above 40, and George hit the third period’s final five points as the Big Cats went into the fourth quarter with a 97-52 lead.
Shodipo converted a three point play to take the score to the century mark with just 40 fourth period seconds gone and he added a further four points as Leopards continued to press, outscoring 24-10 in the first five minutes before Baker gave his bench players to chance to see the win out.
The Big Cats will now host Thames Valley Cannons in the last 16, but before that London Westside visit the Brentwood Centre on Sunday, tip-off 4pm, where the hosts will look for their fifth straight victory.
