BASKETBALL: Thunder sink to another defeat

THUNDER'S American point-guard Ryan Patton is targeting a strong finish to the season after they slipped to their fourth defeat from their last five games on Saturday, losing 83-64 at Leicester Riders.

The loss leaves Thunder needing an utter collapse in form by Cheshire Jets to offer them any hope of grabbing the last play-off place. Both have four games left and Thunder finally go to Cheshire to wrap-up the programme.

Patton said: "Leicester went joint third in the table after we started the game well but lost our lead (46-44] in the third quarter. We were in foul trouble, especially Janis Ivanovskis, one of our two biggest guys, and that affected our rebounding.

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"It's disappointing. We look back at matches we could have won that would have kept us in play-off contention but now we've got to finish-up the season strong."

Thunder's recently-signed big-man cover, Mansour Mbye, came off the bench and took four rebounds in little more than eight minutes.

But that was all his court time. Head coach Gary "Chicken" Smith went for 20 minutes with 6ft 4in guard James Brame as out-sized Thunder tried to overcome Riders' zone defence.

Small-forward Daniel Midgley said: "Janis played really well before he fouled out. He was always double-marked but passed the ball out superbly and competed for rebounds. But we did not move well enough as a team. We're good enough to have won a second time at Leicester '“ but not on the night."

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Thunder now head into games at high-flying Everton Tigers on Friday, then entertain London Capital on Saturday.

Against Capital, Thunder will aim to wrap-up 3-0 the series between the only two BBL teams not fully professional. Capital last Saturday notched only their second win of the season, 84-82, at home to Worcester Wolves.

But on Friday, Worthing may get a golden chance to make Everton the ninth team they have beaten in their maiden BBL season. Everton lost on Sunday and Tuesday to title rivals and league leaders Newcastle to go five wins adrift in second place.

Tigers, despite having two games in hand, could be down-in-the-mouth, and vulnerable. Thunder will remember how close they ran Everton at home in February.

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Patton said: "I know player-coach Fab Flournoy's got Newcastle playing really well and they're very tough. But I think Everton had high hopes of winning the league. Hopefully, we'll make a good showing at the weekend."

LEICESTER 83: James 17, Williams 15, Lamble 15, Swanson 56, Windless 12, Westbrook 9. DNP: Boyd. Hopkins.

THUNDER 64: Woods 19, Patton 17, Bargeman 8, Hildreth 6, Brame 6, Ivanovskis 5, Midgley 3, Mbye 0. DNP: Berry. Absent (hamstring inj in training): Wardrope.

Thunder are hosting an Easter Basketball camp at The Angmering School next week from Monday to Thursday (10am-1pm each day; ages 8-15).

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Thunder players will be there coaching and everyone who attends will receive one free ticket to the game against Guildford Heat at the Leisure Centre on April 18.

The cost is 35 (5 discount for Thunder and Angmering Cobra junior players). To book a space, call Daniel Hildreth on 07834 828417 or e-mail [email protected]

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