NEBC Titans made the short trip to Leicester for the EBL Under 15 Boys Midlands Conference first round play-off clash withy Dynamite, and suffered a 95-79 defeat.
Dynamite had beaten Titans in the regular season by 40 points.
However, recent form and results demonstrated that an opportunity to reduce the scoreline deficit or even claim a win was a possibility for the Titans.
The reality was that Leicester Dynamite had three minutes at the start of the game to create a lead and were able to hold this advantage throughout the four quarters.
The game started with the Titans nervous from the expectation of the supporters and themselves, giving the opportunity for Dynamite to jump to a 16-2 lead after those three minutes.
But Titans pulled together and finished the quarter the stronger.
The second quarter was an even affair with 17 points a piece with the first half of the game ending with Titans trailing 48-38.
The second half quarters saw Dynamite edging each quarter by three points, mainly down to their guard scoring four three points at crucial times.
However, Titans did play excellent team defence and showed real flair on the offence, but were unable to get a run of points to build on and put pressure on the opposing team.
While the result was not what was hoped for, the performance was their best of the season and all should be proud of themselves for their hard work, not just in this game but over the whole season.
Each player is now placed in a good position for the trials for next year’s Titans U16 team.
Top scorer was James Andrews and Muzzi Tijani who both scored 22 points, while Lewis Kain and Cam Hawes both scored 11.
EBL Under 16 Boys Northern Premier
Northamptonshire Titans 76 Cheshire Jets 60
NEBC Titans played host to the competitive and well drilled Cheshire Jets U16s, a team they narrowly beat in their first meeting earlier this season.
This was a highly competitive and physical match right from the start, played at a frenetic pace which suited the more athletic Titans.
However, Jets’ accurate long-range shooting kept the game tight in the early periods of play.
Despite the spirited play of the visitors, Titans took the 1st quarter 21-14.
It was Jets that came out the more determined at the start of the second period, scoring from breakaway lay-ups and poor transition defence from the home side.
They eventually went on to win the quarter 19-14 to close the gap to just two points.
Titans took a narrow lead in to the second half at 35–33 after struggling to penetrate the Jets side’s 2–3 zone defence.
The home side regained the momentum in the third quarter after switching the offensive focus to interior passing and inserting perimeter scoring threats which worked to perfection as Jets failed to cover both areas of the court.
Titans also put the clamps down on the Jets at the defensive end of the floor holding their opponents to just 10 points simultaneously having their best scoring quarter.
The quarter ended with a buzzer beating three-pointer by ‘Zone Buster’ Timi Grill to push Titans lead to 16 points.
With the game as good as over, Titans rotated all players in and out of the fourth quarter and despite drawing the final quarter 17-17, held on to win their 12th game of the season.
Top scorers were Timi Grill 20, Andre Arissol 18 and Terrell Salmon who scored 13.
The coaches would like to highlight the play of point guard JJ Brownbill who finished with eight points, double figure assists and some inspired play throughout the game.
Titans travel to third-placed Derby for their penultimate league fixture on Saturday, March 16, knowing that two wins from their last two games will keep their play-off fate in their own hands and guarantee fourth place.
EBL VCARS.co.uk Division Two Women SW Midlands
Cardiff Archers II 39 Northamptonshire Titans 91
For the second week running, NEBC Titans women played Cardiff Archers.
Titans got off to a flying start with a 14-2 run lead by captain Angelina Browne and once again the Titans defence stood firm.
It was not until the third quarter that Titans punished Archers only allowing them to score nine points whilst Titans poured in a whopping 26 points.
Titans took their foot of the gas and ran out winning 91-39.
Top scorers were Angeline Browne (39), Kinghorn (20) and Nauel Cali (20).
EBL VCARS.co.uk Division Two Women SW Midlands
Northamptonshire Titans 71 Bristol Storm 62
This game had some serious consequences.
If Bristol Storm won the game then they would take the conference title, and if Titans took the honours it would keep them in play-off contention.
Storm knew that to keep the Titans under wraps they would need to contain Browne and Cali around the hoop, but not for the first time this season Sasha Thompson was connecting from the perimeter and with the Titans defence holding up Titans took the first quarter with a 18-12 lead.
Midway through the secon quarter the Titans went on a 13-2 run and with confidence following as well as some excellent transition ball being played the Titans took a 41-26 halftime lead.
Titans may have thought the game was done but Storm had other ideas as they totally dominated, it was only the Titans defence that was holding up as their offence was left wanting as Storm won the third by 4-14.
The fourth was a tight affair with both teams trading baskets but Storm could only get as close as three points as Titans continued to take their chances and where clinical from the foul line running winners 71-62
Top scorers were Naeul Cali (22), Angeline Browne (18), Sasha Thompson (14) and Williams (11)
Weekend fixtures
Saturday, March 16
12.30pm: Titans Under 16 Boys away to Derby Trailblazers
12.30pm: Titans Under 14 Boys v City of Birmingham at Weavers Leisure Centre
Sunday, March 17
Midday: Titans Under 16 Boys vs Leeds Carnegie at Northampton Academy