Basketball: Melton Kings dethroned by Ashby Aztecs

The hosts opened the scoring through Timon Rumbold’s free throws, but for the next four minutes period neither offence functioned with frequent turnovers and off-target shots.

Zee Tamosiunas was the first to find the hoop, followed quickly by two points from Mark Reynolds as Kings built a 6-1 lead halfway through the first quarter.

Lubbock found room in the Kings paint, to gather offensive rebounds and put Ashby 10-9 in front, but with seconds remaining Paul Hodgkinson restored Melton’s lead with a three-pointer.

The second period started as the first had been played, with both sets of offences misfiring and scoring slow with only 10 points added in five minutes as Kings edged further ahead at 18-14.

But Ashby then stepped up their offence while Kings’ defence slept, outscoring the hosts 14-2 with Lubbock and Parnell doing most of the damage.

At half-time Ashby led 28-20, and Melton heads were dropping.

Kings came out with a more aggressive attitude. Hodgkinson and Rumbold were successful and Ashby’s lead was cut to 29-26.

Kings were also fouled on their attempts to score, and were awarded numerous free throws, but none were successful as Ashby stretched their lead to 36-30.

The final minutes of the quarter saw Kings fall further behind, as Parnell led a 7-2 run. Ashby had won the quarter 15-10, and now led 43-32 overall.

Melton worked hard in the final quarter, but couldn’t eat into Ashby’s lead.

Although Kings’ offence found some cohesion, their defence still leaked points with Parnell leading Ashby’s attack in the final period, including three-pointers.

The quarter was shared 15-15, giving Ashby a deserved 11-point win.

Kings C hit the road to play Bosworth Blazers B tomorrow (Friday), tip-off 7.45pm, and return to John Ferneley College on Monday (7.45pm) for a home match with Ashby B.

Melton: P. Hodgkinson 12, Z. Tamosiunas 11, M. Reynolds 11, T. Rumbold 6, P. Birley 3, S. Harris 4, T. Whenham-Bossy 2, S. Gibbons 0, C. Watts 0.