2013/14 Game Report
Game:
Competition:
Date:
Newcastle Eagles Under 15’s @ Bradford Dragons Under 15’s
EBL Under 15’s North East Conference
30th November 2013
Score:
Newcastle Eagles Under 15’s- 69, Bradford Dragons Under 15’s- 74
Saturday’s trip to Bradford marks the U15’s sixth game of the season and fifth trip down the A1 to the heart of
Yorkshire. The Bradford U15s have put up some big score-lines in the early weeks of the season (scoring over a
hundred on a few occasions) and the boys were anticipating a real test. The team gathered at Northumbria
University in the early morning Tyneside light, pillows in hand, for an 11.30 tip-off in Bradford, but after the
customary Wetherby refreshments stop, they arrived at a sun-drenched Buttershaw College, ready for battle.
The Eagles took to the court with a starting five of David Underwood, Alexander Booth, Alex Raey, Mark Butcher and
Blake Keeble. The first quarter began at a frenetic pace with The Eagles looking to run and gun, and the Dragons
wanting to slow the game down on offense, in order to exploit their long-range game. Bradford operated an
isolation-style game, relying on high screens and superb shooting performances from their sharp-shooting guards,
which they were able to maintain throughout most of this game. In the early exchanges The Eagles couldn’t cope
with this and Bradford ran out to a 6-0 lead, until Underwood replied with a hard-earned pair of free-throws. Keeble
then responded to Bradford’s flurry of long-range efforts with a three of his own and the Eagle confidence began to
grow. The first quarter ended 27-19, but the Eagles had gained a foothold in the game and were beginning to find
holes in the Bradford Press.
In the second quarter, the boys began chipping away at the Bradford advantage and were able to limit their longrange effectiveness. On offense, they moved the ball efficiently and created some outstanding fast-break baskets.
Keeble found Gabe Evans with a full court quarterback pass that cleared the entire Dragon defence, and Evans
finished with aplomb. Booth battled away refusing to give any ground in what proved to be game-long post battle
and as the second quarter progressed the Eagles began to dominate the boards with Khael Owens and Mark Butcher
playing with intensity and strength. However, the Bradford shooting game continued to be dynamic and their ability
from beyond the arc kept them in pole position. At halftime, the Eagles had kept in touching distance but had much
work to do with the score at 51-38.
The second half was all Newcastle. The Eagles won both second half quarters through a level of hard work and
intensity that almost saw them draw level in the closing stages. It was a thrilling half of basketball as every towering
rebound that Owens, Butcher or Booth pulled down, and every stop the defence managed, inspired the boys on.
They played without fear and as a truly cohesive unit and gave a Dragon team which relied on individual brilliance a
lesson in team-basketball. Operating a 2-3 zone defence, the boys team movement was a joy to watch, and a credit
to Coach Waugh’s ability to adjust tactically to the Bradford threat. Keeble registered two more three-pointers and
Underwood was constant menace to the Bradford defence with his devastating acceleration but ultimately this was
an outstanding performance from the U15s who were unlucky to lose. Moreover, it was a credit to the programme
that the whole team enjoyed minutes on the court, considering Bradford kept four or five players on the bench for
the entire game. This was a loss, but one to be proud of and one which bodes well for the future for this new Eagles
team.