BCB TROPHY RECAP: THUNDER ENJOY WINNING WEEKEND, BREAKERS HANG ON AGAINST RIDERS

Worthing Thunder made a vicious statement of intent with a pair of wins in contrasting fashion to close out an action-packed second week of BCB Trophy action.

Elsewhere, Yorkshire Dragons bagged their second win of the Trophy in a perfect response to an opening day loss to the Newcastle Knights, and there was a thriller in Milton Keynes.

Key Storylines

• Worthing Thunder maintain unbeaten start
• Woodard the hero for Breakers against Riders
• Holders Birmingham begin campaign with a loss to Hemel

Justin Hopkins starred for the Worthing Thunder as they scored a pair of wins to improve to 3-0 in Group play. He had 28 points and six rebounds in the south coast side’s 86-73 triumph on the road to the Essex Rebels, and he settled for 25 points and six rebounds as Worthing had to come from behind to beat the London Cavaliers 87-77.

However, the Thunder had to endure a scare, trailing by as many as 15 points in the third quarter before fighting back late to secure the win over an unlucky London side in a pulsating battle. Despite Saturday’s loss to Worthing, the Rebels struck back to beat the Portsmouth Force 99-77 on the south coast.

Nick Woodard iced a pair of free throws that handed the Milton Keynes Breakers a slender 96-95 win over the Loughborough Riders in a thriller. Jalen Cook had a chance to win it at the death for Loughborough, but his off-balance three-pointer was unsuccessful. Sam Grant amassed 16 points to lead the victors, with Cook leading Loughborough with a game-high 23.

Before their heartbreak against Milton Keynes, the Riders lost 93-79 to the Oaklands Wolves. Simon Chamberlain led Loughborough with 21 points, but it was cancelled out by Reis Pinnock, who poured in 20 points and seven assists for the Wolves.

Yorkshire Dragons continued their hot streak with a deserved 86-60 win over the Derby Trailblazers. Jackson Dudek enjoyed a breakout, as he had 20 points and seven rebounds to lead the Dragons, who hit 13 three-pointers.

The BCB Trophy holders, City of Birmingham Rockets, began their defence with a 98-73 loss to Hemel Stom, who improved to 2-0 for the campaign. In a balanced scoring attack, Jabari Small paced the Storm with 18 points on 50 percent shooting. Zack Powell had 15 for the Rockets.

While Birmingham lost, the Aldermore Reading Rockets defeated the Portsmouth Force 87-64. Jaxon Nap led the way for the winners with 25 points on an efficient 52 percent from the floor. 

It was the first of two defeats for the NBL Division 2 side, as Portsmouth also lost 99-77 to the Essex Rebels, who recovered from their loss to Worthing to end the weekend on a high.

It was a mixed weekend for the Bristol Flyers II, as they fell 106-84 at home to the Gloucester City Kings before bouncing back immediately to down the Plymouth Raiders 96-66 on the road.

The Kings’ victory over the Flyers was the start of an impressive weekend for Jay Marriott’s side, as they followed that up with a 74-63 success over the Cardiff Met Archers. Elvisi Dusha led the way with 17 points and nine assists to back up his 31 points and 11 assists against the Flyers.

Finally, it was an impressive weekend for the Signs Express Falkirk Fury, as they scored an impressive 91-81 win over the Newcastle Knights. Veteran Ali Fraser bagged 2