The match began tentatively with missed opportunities from both teams and early turn-overs from Team BC Bucs. The first basket came after 3 minutes when Hornets guard Ian Spearman drove to the hoop and made a neat bounce pass to Robin Boult cutting for the layup. Team BC answered with a Rich Anderson three, following good ball-movement. From there the pace picked up with both teams looking to push the ball on the break.

With two minutes left in the quarter Anderson made a second three-point shot, putting Team BC up 7 – 10, prompting a time-out from Hornets coach Gary Carter. A drive and score following an offensive rebound from Huish guard Oby-Obi and a fast break lay-up from Team BC’s Gumbs left the score 9 – 12 at the end of the first.

The second quarter was similar with neither team able to find a rhythm on offense. Despite poor shooting, Hornets controlled the offensive boards and were able to capitalise on fouls, scoring 6 points from the free throw line in the period. Rob MacIntyre had a strong quarter for Team BC with 6 points and another 5 from Anderson allowed them to maintain a narrow lead in what was a low scoring half. Hornets 23 – 24 Team BC.

The third quarter started with a well-executed back door cut by Spearman, who received the pass and finished with a reverse lay-up. A series of misses by both teams followed until Huish forward Mike Sebire snatched an offensive rebound and was fouled on the put back, sending him to the line. At the other end MacIntyre drove to the hoop for a score and a foul, making the free throw.

For the next five minutes both teams traded baskets, with turnovers leading to fast breaks for Hornets and good rebounding and strong inside play from Team BC. Following a time-out, with 5 mins left in the quarter and the score 32 – 34, Hornets began applying full-court pressure defense. It paid off immediately with two steals and fast break layups from Huish guard Rowswell. However, Anderson hit his third three-point shot to keep Team BC in the lead, 36 – 37.

The continued pressure caused further turnovers for Team BC, resulting in another fast break layup for Hornets, this time by Alex Jenkins. Callum Hodge gave Team BC back the lead with a 15-foot jump-shot from straight on. However, it was short lived, as Spearman pulled up for three, making the shot and getting fouled. He converted the extra free throw for a 4-point play. The quarter finished with a series of scrappy plays and turn-overs from both teams. Team BC guard Tim Gumbs made a turn-around jump-shot along the baseline to keep the score close but the third finished, 45 – 43 to Hornets.

In the final quarter Team BC continued to struggle with the pressure from Hornets who were able to extend their lead off a well-executed cut through the key and finish by Rowswell. Gumbs answered back, with a tough shot over 3 defenders and a further drive and score minutes later. Hornets maintained their lead though and another 3 point make from Spearman gave them a 7-point cushion with less than 4 minutes to go.

Team BC continued to fight and made shots by Chris Perry and Anderson brought them back within 3. Sebire was sent to the free-throw line for Hornets following an offensive rebound and foul. He made the first and missed the second. A spin move to the basket by Anderson saw him fouled. He made the first free throw, missed the second but rebounded his own miss for an easy layup, making the score 63 – 61.

With less than a minute remaining, following a Hornets time-out, Team BC fouled, stopping the clock and putting Robin Boult on the free throw line where he made both. A Tim Gumbs layup gave Team BC a chance but following another time-out and another foul, Hornets converted both free-throws to give them a 4-point lead. A last chance effort by Anderson following missed MacIntyre free throws would not have been enough to matter and the game finished 67 – 63 to Hornets.

Huish Hornets Top Scorers: Ian Spearman 23, Sam Rowswell 15, Robin Boult 12
Team BC Top Scorers: Rich Anderson 28, Tim Gumbs 12, Rob MacIntyre 10

With the win, Hornets briefly moved to top of the table before settling back into second place a day later when Bridgwater Bucs beat Taunton Tornados. Depending on results by Bridgwater Baltics, Hornets could end up in third place but a play-off position is secured. Team BC will be battling with Taunton Dragons for fourth place in their final games of the season including a fixture between the two teams on February 24th at Castle Sports Centre.

For the first time this fixture was live streamed on the internet via the Somerset Basketball Facebook page. Follow us there or on Twitter for fixture and other Somerset Basketball updates.