Basketball: Hotshots tie is a tall order for Bognor Pirates
Luke Attfield, Pirates’ 7ft England under-18 player, opened the scoring for Pirates but Hotshots were quick to respond with a couple of three-pointers followed by another two points from Attfield and a couple from Andy Pleskys.
Pirates finished the first period 12-8 down.
In the second, Pirates took more care of the inside passes with further baskets from Attfield, Matt Wakeling, Max Smith and a nice three-pointer from Dillon Smith, making his debut, which turned the deficit into a 24-21 halfway lead.
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Hide AdPirates had to force Hotshots to take outside shots but despite further good baskets from Attfield and Pleskys, finally upping his game, the home side penetrated the Pirates’ defence and won the third quarter 19-18.
Coach for the night Calum Jackson told the Pirates to concentrate on their strong defence and let the offence take care of itself.
This seemed to work as Pirates worked the ball on offence to the frustration of Hotshots, who resorted to several fouls - giving Pirates plenty of free throws and enabling them to win by six points.
MVP was Attfield.
PIRATES: Pleskys 16, Attfield 10, Smith 9, Sharpe 6, DeHaan 5, Smith 3, Greenway 3, Wakeling 3, Jackson 2.