Thunder say basketball season is mixed so far

Worthing Thunder say a disjointed start to season has led to disjointed results.
Worthing Thunder's 2020-21 line-up / Picture: Worthing ThunderWorthing Thunder's 2020-21 line-up / Picture: Worthing Thunder
Worthing Thunder's 2020-21 line-up / Picture: Worthing Thunder

With Covid 19 causing havoc for the start of the basketball season Thunder’s results in men’s division one of the national league have been very mixed.

Difficulties with a home venue have meant Thunder playing away so far.

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Pre-season started with three games at the Solent Kestrel complex.

Against Essex Rebels, there was a comfortable 91-78 victory for Thunder.

Cameron Hildrith led the scoring with 37 points, supported by Max Richardson with 26.

Next up Thunder took on the favourites to win everything this season, Solent Kestrels. Thunder went down by 69-96 but showed determination against a very good team.

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The final group game became a winner-takes-all Trophy quarter-final qualifier.

Away to BA London Lions it was a Zaire Taylor masterclass – he totted up 26 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals as Thunder won 83-81 to set up a trip to face Derby Trailblazers.

In a late start to the league season, Thunder travelled to Derby and in an entertaining game lost 113-99.

The lead switched regularly but Thunder began to run out of steam in the final quarter. Hildrith led the scorers with 35 points. Richardson scored 22 and veteran Tom Ward chipped in with 20.

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Away to the ‘old enemy’ Reading Rockets, it was close but the Rockets won 87-77, with Hildrith again showing why he will be in the USA next year, hitting 32 points.

It was an improved defensive performance.

Thunder shifted their home game with the Rockets to their venue. Hildrith had been selected for the first time in the GB men’s senior squad so was unavailable.

Thunder produced their display of the season to win 75-70. Defensively they were superb while Taylor’s 23 points and 16 from new American recruit Howard Crawford won the contest..

Thunder are next in action this Saturday (December 12) when they again take on on Solent Kestrels in Southampton.

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Thunder are looking forward to home matches at Durrington High School in the new year. A £2,500 fundraising drive to pay for new rims and backboards at the school so the facilites are national league standard has ended in success.

The club tweeted: "Worthing Thunder fans, supporters around the league and ex-players ... we want to say a massive thank you to every single one of you for all the support, messages and comments we have had from you We have now hit the target for the backboards/rims and protective flooring.

"We really do appreciate every single one of you, we can’t wait to be back playing in front of you all - we will continue to keep you updated with when this can happen again. Thank you so much."

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