Leics Basketball League: Melton Kings ease past Ashby Aztecs

Both teams appeared slow out of the blocks following the Christmas break with neither side’s offence on target.

Reynolds opened the scoring with a three-pointer for the Kings and this was swiftly followed by a Tamosiunas two-point drive. Ashby replied with four points, but overall misfiring offences made for a slow pace.

With the outside shooting not working, Kings created space for Rumbold to score five quick inside points to lead 10-4. Points were then shared, as the quarter ended with the score 14–8 in Melton’s favour.

Ashby’s scoring was led by Jarvis with six points.

The second quarter started at a slightly faster pace as strong Kings defence forced turnovers, and with quick transition play, the visitors turned these into easy lay-ups for Hunt and Whenham-Bossy.

Kings went on a 10–4 point run to lead 24–12 before Ashby slowed their offence to control possession. Both teams scored seven more points which gave Melton a 31-19 half-time lead.

The third quarter started as slowly as the first with Reynolds opening the scoring with another three-pointer in the third minute.

With neither team taking control points were shared for the next eight minutes, but then Kings appeared to switch off, allowing Ashby to score six unanswered points and cut the deficit to 39–33.

The final quarter continued in the same slow manner, but after four minutes, Kings’ had seemingly got over their post-Christmas lethargy.

Moving the ball well to give their outside shooters Watts and Reynolds time to score, Melton established a 14-point lead at 49–35).

Ashby were forced to chase the ball, allowing Kings’ senior players to keep their heads and control the game, running out 53–43 winners.

Kings C are next in league action at Swadlincote C next Thursday, January 28 (8.10pm) and then host Market Bosworth B at John Ferneley College on Tuesday, February 2 (7.45pm in round two of the Jubilee Cup.

Kings: M. Reynolds 14, G Watts 11, Z. Tamosiunas 10, T. Rumbold 8, E. Hunt 7, T. Whenham-Bossy 2, S Harris 1.