BLIZZARDS 60-58 Yateley 2

After their last very poor home performance, 42-47 loss against Wolfpack Mohegans.
The Blizzards had one last chance to make the play offs, they needed to beat Div3 champions Yateley2 (14-1) before this game for their last league game of their first season.
Not an easy task with a few players missing from the line up.
Quickly 0-6 down, then on 3-8 with four minutes gone the coach called a time out, Taylor Dawson enters, the intensity is upped and Blizzards start playing ball, and get back in the game, level 11 a piece on seven minutes. Taylor Dawson and Ben Firrell both hitting their shots see the BLIZZARDS take the lead 18-13 at the first buzzer.
Yateley change to a Zone defence and basket are hard to come by 22-18 halfway through the quarter. Ten unanswered points from the Champions see them back in front 22-28 with just over a minute to HT.
Four baskets including a three point buzzer beater by Harry Preston sees the game tied on that buzzer 31 all, GAME ON.
Yateley were not making it easy for our boys and after exchanging basking for the first four minutes 39 all, Yateley again took the lead 39-43 and just held on with a meagre 2 point lead 45-47 with ten to play.
The boys were all pumped up for a last push and a try at that play off spot.
First blood in the last quarter went to the BLIZZARDS with Harry Preston and Adam Lack putting them up 49-47, this didn’t last long, with Yateley’s 7 foot giant Vaughan taking advantage that Preston was now on four fouls, see the visitors retake the lead 49-56. Elliott, Firrell and Karmazyn all return for the last five minutes to go for a last push, Karmazyn closes the gap Dawson gets a free throw and Preston gets his last basket before being called for his fifth foul. But the Blizzards still trail by 2 points 54-56.
Stephen Murtagh replaces Preston now fouled out with just under two minutes to play. Yateley call a time out. The defence has been holding well, creating turn overs, can they keep out Vaughan without Harry Preston. Adam Lack takes over the duty man marking the giant. Yateley miss two free throws, Adam Lack drives left handed and the game is tied 56 all, Ben Firrell gets another turnover on defence and Taylor Dawson converts down the other end, BLIZZARDS lead 58-56. Under a minute to go, Yateley have a chance to level the game with thirty seconds on the clock Tomlin hits both, game tied. Time out BLIZZARDS, Yateley allow them to in bound the ball easily, the Blizzards bring it up the court move the ball with speed, skill and ease, the ref calls twenty, they need to take a shot, Luke Karmazyn the teams point guard gets the ball, he is open just beyond the free throw line, JUMP SHOT, SWISH. 60-58
Time out Yateley only two seconds left on the clock. One more defensive effort is all that is needed, good movement on defence the BLIZZARDS deny the easy pass, the screens are beaten by a great defensive effort, finally Yateley are forced to inbound the ball to the seven foot giant outside the paint, he tries for a jump shot, misses.
BUZZER SOUNDS, it’s music to the coach’s ears 60-58 END OF GAME
PLAY OFF TIME for the boys
WELL DONE TERRIFIC EFFORT
🏀🏀🏀

Team:
Taylor Dawson 18pts, Ben Firrell 13pts, Luke Karmazyn 8pts, Harry Preston 7pts, Adam Lack 6pts, Stephen Murtagh 6pts, Stuart Elliott 2pts, Jack Bond, Chris Reece.