11/02/09
FILTON, Bristol— Harim Nyoris’ basket just before time expired lifted Bristol Academy to a 61-59 win over County Upper Basketball Academy in the Last 16 of the English Schools Under 19 Elite Academy Cup.
It was a heartbreaking loss for County Upper (14-5), who led for almost all the game against Bristol.
With the team missing Billy Beddow due to Illness, having Luke Simon wanting to play despite an injury, and with Grant Bangs playing in his first game since early December, County were facing an uphill battle.
With 48 seconds remaining County were down by three points 59- 56, Jack Sheward (Brandon, Suffolk) hit a three to even the score 59-59 with 10 seconds remaining on the clock. As time was running out Bristol converted a lay-up just before the buzzer to give Bristol the win.
Ali McCann (Southend, Essex) scored 24 points to lead County Uppers. Ben Warden (Shenfield, Essex) added 12 points, while James Dawson (Chelmsford Essex) added 11 points, all coming in the first half. Austin Wright (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire) chipped in with 6 points.
County Upper started out the game on a 9-0 run, with Dawson scoring 7 points and McCann adding 3. For the remainder of the fist quarter both reams traded baskets, the first quarter finished 19 – 13 to County. The second quarter started with County going on a 7 – 0 run to open up a 13 point lead 26 – 13. Bristol quickly responded with a 21 – 4 run of their own to take a 4 point lead 34 – 30. County finished the quarter on a 6-3 run to trail 36 – 37 at half time.
In the second half both teams traded baskets until midway through the third quarter when County went on a 9 – 2 run to finish the quarter leading by 2 points 51 – 49.
In the beginning of the 4th quarter things became a lot harder for County as Michael Warner (Norwich, Norfolk) had to retire from the game due to an injury, and both Alistair McCann (Southend, Essex), and James Dawson (Chelmsford, Essex) were fouled out of the game. County Upper had to play the 4th quarter with only 1 starter on the court. Throughout the 4th Quarter both teams were trading baskets all the way to the final seconds.
The game however is in dispute after County signed the final score sheet under protest claiming Captain Ali McCann had not actually picked up five fouls during the game, and that the table officials made a mistake with County’s score. The ESBBA have since concluded that no further action will take place and that the score is to be amended to 63-61 to Bristol.
“Obviously I am disappointed that in a match of this importance, we were not provided with at least one experienced table officials.” said Head Coach Darren Johnson “The decision has now been made and although we can make a hundred excuses to why we lost this winnable game, it comes down to one thing, we didn’t do enough on the day to win it outright. Now this chapter has closed, we must look forward and prepare for our Tournament on the 20th of March in Turkey.”
County Upper resumes action on Friday, March 20 at the Istanbul International Tournament in Istanbul, Turkey. The opponent and game time for County is to be determined. CU will also play a game at the event on Saturday, March 21.
