MANCHESTER AREA BASKETBALL LEAGUE

High Peak Storm 64 Weston Hoops 66

Pre Season Friendly, Sunday 16th Sept 2006

By Martin Pigott

Weston Hoops, from Stafford, play in the equivalent division to High Peak in the West Midlands League.

Hoops led from beginning to end but couldn't pull away until the third quarter when the gap reached 15. Storm switched to a zone which disrupted the Hoops offence, but Storm kept scoring at the same rate reducing the gap bit by bit.

With a minute to go in the 4th the gap was down to 6 and the fouling started. This worked a treat as Hoops were 3 from 17 at the line in the final quarter. With the score at 64-66 Hoops missed 8 from 8.

With 6 seconds left Hoops missed their final free throw, the rebound was contested strongly but Storm managed to get the ball up court for a long 2 pointer on the buzzer. It hit the ring and bounced to safety.