BCB WEEK 6: ROCKETS RETURN WITH A BANG; THUNDER GO 6-0
In another exciting weekend of BCB action, Worthing Thunder continue to set the pace and Reading Rockets returned to action after an unplanned two-week break.
The two teams will meet next Sunday at Loddon Valley with one undefeated record set to tumble.
Key Storylines
- Reading edge Milton Keynes as Olarerin and Spencer duel
- Worthing make it super six as Hopkins goes for 40
- Happy homecoming for Taylor Johnson in Hemel win
Recap
Reading Rockets maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a 94-87 road win over the Milton Keynes Breakers in a fierce encounter.
Having been unable to play their last two games at their home venue, the Rockets found their groove away from Loddon Valley, but did so despite a poor start, as the Breakers sprinted to a 21-9 lead after one quarter.
Reading regrouped, albeit slowly and eventually took their first lead through a score from Jax Bouknight. From there, the visitors were able to establish a seven-point lead as they brushed off an MK attack to secure their fourth straight win in the BCB.
Victor Olarerin led Reading with 24 points on 50 percent shooting, along with eight rebounds. Jordan Spencer had 26 points for MK.
The Rockets will head into next Sunday’s home game with league leaders Worthing Thunder full of confidence, but so will the south coast side as they breezed past Essex Rebels 132-85 to go to 6-0.
Justin Hopkins exploded for 40 points on a phenomenal 12-for-14 from the field and 10 rebounds to lead Worthing. He also went 13-for-14 from the foul line in a sublime offensive display. Kyron Martin had 25 to lead Essex.
Despite the defeat, the weekend started positively for the Rebels, with Remy Udeh the hero in their 90-87 road win against the City of Birmingham Rockets.
Udeh connected close to the basket to give the Rebels an 88-87 lead with 15 seconds to go, then got the steal on Birmingham’s following possession to force the hosts into fouling to stop the clock.
Kyron Martin sank both foul shots for a three-point lead, leaving Lucas McGregor with a chance of taking the game to overtime, but his three missed its mark. Miles Brown had 26 to lead Essex.
Taylor Johnson enjoyed a happy homecoming for the Hemel Storm as they defeated the plucky Bristol Hurricanes 83-75 in front of a sell-out crowd at the Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre.
On his home debut, Johnson enjoyed 18 first-half points before finishing with 30 overall to lead the Storm to their second straight win. Denzel Ubiaro had 21 for Bristol, who remain winless after six games.
Yorkshire Dragons were made to sweat but edged out Nottingham Hoods 84-79 to improve to 5-1 in the standings.
Leading 63-52 heading into the fourth quarter, the Dragons looked comfortable but found a Hoods side that outhustled the hosts in the final period, and with less than 20 seconds to play, reduced Yorkshire’s lead to 82-79.
But thanks to 18 points from Jordan Whelan and a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double from David Ulph, Yorkshire hung on to stay in touch with the teams at the summit. Sam Akano led Nottingham with a game-high 24 points.
A short-handed Derby Trailblazers defeated the Bristol Flyers II 88-78, thanks to 27 points from Jai Pathmarajah, as the Blazers were without Americans Evan Oliver and Harlond Beverley Jr.
