Dave Ryan reports…
Leopards’ head coach Thomas Baker said he was proud of his team after they progressed to the National Cup semi-final with an 87-76 victory against Manchester Magic at the Brentwood Centre on Sunday.
“It was a great result for the team today” he said. “I was proud of them for coming together when needed to put us in the semi-final. It is exciting to see where this season can take us. This win has given us the belief that we can turn our season around.
“It was a fantastic team performance with a number of the guys stepping up to take us to the next stage. Luke [Mascall-Wright] put in a great performance on the offensive end, Findlay [Wood] played solid defence throughout and Lee was monstrous on the boards as well.
“Shout-out to Findlay, Tom [Child] and Rory [Winter] for knocking down some big 3s in the fourth to take us through to the end of the game.”
Baker was also delighted to be playing in front of a big crowd at the Brentwood Centre: “Let me just say the crowd was excellent tonight. It was great to see so many fans come and show their support for the Leopards. It meant a great deal to the players and to everyone involved in this club, they were truly amazing.”
Mascall-Wright came off the bench to lead the Big Cats with 18 points and six rebounds, while Captain Sam Newman added 14 points and four assists. Hodges finished with a ten point, 15 rebound double-double, while Rory Winter and new American signing KJ Lee – who was only cleared to play the previous afternoon – added 11 apiece in a balanced scoring effort.
After an even first period which Leopards shaded 18-17, there was still only a point in it at the midway stage of the second quarter before Lee launched what proved to be the key run. Newman hit back-to-back threes and Andre Lavinier also drained from downtown as the hosts scored 17 unanswered points to lead 42-28 going into the half-time break.
Leopards kept the visitors at arm’s length during the rest of the game, with Magic never getting closer than seven points, and a dagger three from Wood sealed it with 90 seconds remaining.
The Big Cats now face a home double header at the University of Essex this weekend with Leicester Warriors the visitors for a NBL Division One game on Saturday (6pm) before Reading Rockets are in town on Sunday for a must-win National Trophy tie, tip-off 4.30pm.
