Arrows Edged Out by USA Select

Linbraze Arrows 103
Team USA Select 104

The Linbraze Arrows were edged out by a buzzer beating finish, 103-104, as they brought their pre season to an end. A great time was had by all at Dronfield Sports Centre as the young Arrows team went toe to toe with a group of USA professional prospects.

The Arrows were under the coaching of Jonathan Kelly while Team USA were coached by former Arrows super star Noah Brown. The Arrows were slow to start but a “3 pointer” followed by a 2 by the impressive Joseph Baugh got the Arrows underway. Joseph Baugh, Dennis Scott and Alex Burt carried the scoring load for the Arrows plus a smart finish by Paul Heymann saw the Arrows trail by 27 – 28 as the quarter came to an end.

There was plenty of fight in the Arrows after the break as they took the second quarter 29 – 23. Point guard James Kelly led a more experienced unit as Scott, Baugh, Burt and Jonny Broodie produced a very athletic and high paced tempo to see the Arrows ahead 56 – 54 at the half time interval.

Coach Kelly continued to explore several combinations in the third quarter in preparation for the season. However, the Arrows lost the quarter 16 – 32 as Team Select took control. The Arrows struggled to deal with the non – stop full court pressure applied by the visitors which exposed the newness of the Arrows group.

The Arrows began the final quarter behind 72 – 86. However, the Arrows with Andreas Lycoudis adding consecutive 3 pointers and a powerful exhibition by Burt, Scott, Broodie and Baugh saw the Arrows level the contest at 101 – 101. Nathan Dacres capped a great defensive display by producing a huge dunk. The Arrows led 103 – 102 when they were called for a shot clock violation with 6 seconds of the game remaining before losing to a buzzer beating shot 104 – 103.

Scorers; Burt 31, Baugh 27, Scott 13, Broodie 11, Lycoudis 8, Kelly 4

Despite the result, Coach Jonny Kelly was up beat about his sides outing at Dronfield last night. He said:

“It was a real pleasure to coach in this contest. It genuinely had everything! Momentum shifts, highlights and a lot of encouraging signs for the team moving forward. It felt like a different group to last week as they dealt with all the pressures and played with freedom and enjoyment. We will move on to Sunday with confidence and a new belief in our ability as a group.”

Arrows overseas player, Alex Burt, made his first appearance for the Arrows last night just 10 hours after landing in the UK. The American from Plymouth State University said:

“Although we lost at the buzzer, I think our team overall made good progress. Our energy and intensity was great, but our defensive communication must be more consistent as we enter Sundays game. It felt great to put on the Arrows uniform for the first time and play in front of our fans, who brought a tremendous level of energy and support.”

The Arrows now move on to their first competitive game of the season as they head to the EIS Sheffield to meet Sheffield Hallam Sharks in the National Cup 1st Round. Tip off on Sunday is at 1:20pm.

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Bristol Flyers Head Coach speaks exclusively to Bristol Flyers TV on his side’s 78-82 overtime to USA Select on Thursday night.

Fury go to down to US stars – News | King’s Lynn Fury

In Fury’s second pre season game it was a fantastic experience as we hosted USA select Blue. A side made up of US players hopeful of finding professional contracts in Europe.

Before the game the players from the US side hosted a clinic for Fury U16′s which was inspiring for the youngsters.

In the game itself Fury struggled early with the US sides pressure D trailing 8-0, but started to find their feet led by Giedrius Pakalniskis and the first period ended with Fury trailing 34 – 25.

In the second period the US side looked to put the game away taking a 15 point lead but Mindaugas Spukas and Eivydas Aleksa who was making an emotional farewell before his move to Worcester Uni combined for 13 points to bring the lead to just 49 – 47. Trialist Audrius Gudekis impressed with a run of 9 points of his own to keep the game close but with half time approaching a big 3 from USA stole Furys momentum to trail 69-59 at the break.

The longer 12 minute periods where clearly a factor as Coach Bamfield used the extra time to give all 14 of his players court time.

The third period remained competitive as Fury led by excellent guard play and anchored by superb play from Deividas Butkevicius but the game swung on a couple of key moments out of Fury’s grasp. Ironically the swings came on inguarded 15 ft free shots as Fury missed 10 from 12 over a 4 minute spell with Blue again ladning a buzzer 3 the lead had slipped from a potential 5 to a unassailable 17.

Credit to Fury realising this was a training exercise in preperation for the season the side played strong in the 4th period 30 – 32 scoring but could not close the gap in a meaningful way.

Final Score Fury 117 USA Select 136

Bamfield “I was pleased with the side today we fixed a number of problems that i was unhappy about in the last game. There was little more atmosphere around the team and we fought hard for 48 minutes. Giedrius and Deividas were superb and will lead our side from the front this year while Audrius and Arnas have started to settle and played really well. It was also nice to give Kobe a send off game and see further senior development for 16 year old Saul Holland, 17 year old Vytau Girdzius and 18 year old Luke Huggins.”

Top scorers;
Fury Pakalniskis 27, Butkevicius 27, Gudekis 23 & Aleksa 17

USA (no names available)
#50 44, #49 18, #46 17 & #51 16

You can see footage of the game on youtube;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTjZEwqSEio

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LIVE STREAM: Bristol Flyers vs USA Select

Bristol Flyers lost in overtime after a thrilling finale to their pre-season game with USA Select at the SGS WISE Arena.

Thursday, September 10th, 2015

The USA select team returned for their annual UK tour as Flyers hosted their first game since the quarter-final play-off loss against Newcastle Eagles. The last time these two sides met Flyers won 79 – 65.

As both squads lined up there were some notable omissions, Bristol were without their American shooter Doug McLaughlin Williams, although there was a first chance for fans to see news signings Cardell McFarland and Daniel Edozie in action.

The game began with some intense defensive play from both sides, the highlight being an early chase down block by Flyers captain Greg Streete. A slow start saw the Flyers chasing early on before they closed the first quarter with back to back 3 pointers to bring them within 1 point, 19 – 20 to USA Select.

Flyers were slow on defense in the second quarter as USA got two straight open shots on as many possessions taking the lead at the half 34-29. Flyers finished the half with Streete and Mathias Seilund leading the way with 7 points apiece at the half. This was matched by USA’s Darius Cox who led the way in the first half with 13.

The second half began with the Flyers looking rejuvenated on defense, closing in on shots and high ball pressure. Flyers new signings combined for a ten point run to put them in the lead in the third. Mcfarland slashed into the lane and converted an And 1, a deep three pointer and another drive to the hoop. Edozie capped off the comeback with two made free throws, with Flyers finishes the quarter in front by 1, 53-52.

Both teams traded baskets at the beginning of the fourth quarter with the partisan SGS WISE crowd lifting the the Flyers, Edozie converting on an And 1 and later an emphatic dunk. As the clock ticked down in fourth quarter the USA squad gave Bristol problems with their athleticism, putting the Flyers in further foul trouble.

After a close fourth quarter, USA Select led by two with two seconds remaining, Flyers had other ideas however. USA turned the ball over and McFarland converted on the buzzer from Streete’s long pass, cue bedlam at the SGS WISE Arena. After a pause for discussion by the officials, the basket was declared good. Overtime.

Bristol had taken it to overtime but could not put the USA team away. In the final moments, USA big man Austin Steed Jr was fouled and went to the line with 30 seconds left to put the game to bed, 78-82.

There were notable performances across the board from Flyers with Streete, Seilund and Edozie all posting double-doubles and McFarland leading the scoring with 27 points.

Promising signs before Flyers begin their BBL campaign at home to Surrey Scorchers on Saturday, September 19th.

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