CITY PRAYER IS ANSWERED

THUNDER simply could not believe it. They were denied their first place in the National Cup Final by a one-handed, scoop-it-up-and hope shot by Sheffield's American point guard Ryan Patton in the last act of the semi-final on Sunday.

On a wing and carrying a prayer '” by his own admission '” it beat the buzzer at the end of overtime for a winning three-pointer and left several Thunder players in tears.

Thunder were two points up and about to celebrate their best performance of the season. No one gave them a hope away to the league leaders in this draw after a Worthing slump of four losses in six starts since their opening burst of five straight wins.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

What hit the road on Sunday as a probable Worthing damage-limitation operation became an act of sporting heroism inside the arena. With guard Steven Gayle turning on his true form, forwards Gaylon Moore and Steve Parillon carried the fight to Sheffield and won it.

Not only did the dedicated and excellent Parillon continue his fine Saturday night's work against Solent with 20 rebounds, 19 points and three assists, but the captain, Moore, again wore his big-game warrior's cloak. Hampered by a dead leg from rival Marlin Capers on Saturday, he soldiered through all 45 minutes (along with Patton) and sank 22 points, took 16 boards, three steals, gave two assists and blocked three Sheffield shots.

Gayle's 28 points and third-best seven rebounds, four steals and three assists challenged Patton in the back court while forward Okoli Ugbana came off the bench for five boards in 10 minutes and a contemptuous slapaway block.

Two quarters were tied, two, plus overtime won by just a point, in the most exciting game seen at the Instutute since Sheffield were promoted two seasons ago.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Worthing basketball still awaits its first National Cup final since the Bears went and conquered Thames Valley at Sheffield Arena in 1994.

On Saturday, Thunder allowed a 26 point advantage to vanish into an eventually nailbiting 100-94 win over bottom club Solent Stars.

They turned on the style for the biggest crowd of the season, 500, which included a party of more than 100 children, plus parents, from Worthing Dynamos Football Club.

Up by 26 points at half-time, the wheels almost all fell off in the second half and when 6ft 8in Teon Knox, perfectly freed for a clinching dunk, actually missed it, Thunder led only 98-94 with seconds enough left to force overtime.

Luckily he was fouled. And free shooting is the TK Max forte. Get to the line more often, Teon!

Related topics: