Bears have to battle to remain top of the table
BASKETBALL
WARWICKSHIRE Bears survived a nail-biting finale to claim a 53-49 win at Tornados to remain top of the British Wheelchair Basketball League Division One South.
Victory in Littlehampton keeps the Bears two points ahead of London Titans who have a game in hand.
The Bears were up against it from the tip-off with the fast-paced Tornados team, who lie third, playing a high tempo defence and putting the Bears under pressure all over the court.
Neither team were able to gain any significant lead as the Bears led 11-9 at the end of the first quarter.
Tornados started the second quarter with a concerted effort and slowly pulled away from the Bears to go into the lead early but, after a timely timeout, the Bears slowly pulled back the score and were 23-18 ahead at half-time.
In the third quarter the Bears pulled further away to open a 41-28 lead but the Tornados roared back and fought back to within one point, with a minute on the clock. The Bears, however, were able to make a couple of breaks with Lee Powell scoring and putting the Bears again in front and see out the game by four points.
The Bears’ Seconds made it a double defeating their Tornados counterparts 47-32.
The Bears are in next in action when the Firsts and Seconds play at home to Swindon Shock and Norwich Lowriders on Sunday 25 February.
The Bears are still looking for a sponsor for the team and also always looking to recruit new members especially female and junior players. If anyone is interested than you can contact Bears at info@bearswbc.comor call 07946 518354.
For more, see this week’s Herald.