Melton Kings ease past Western Park

Basketball is available in Fenland through a Doorstep Sports Club

Kings started well by winning the tip, but two quick passes later Zee Tamosiunas missed a lay-up, which would set a pattern for parts of the match.

Tamosiunas soon corrected his earlier miss by scoring the first points of the game, and Mark Reynolds followed up with a three-pointer.

Bull got the Titans on the board with an inside move, but Kings’ defence controlled their boards and the visitors were limited to long-range shots.

On offence, Kings’ played patiently and created many openings, going on a 12-0 run as Paul Hodgkinson found success driving to the basket, and Richard Haffenden and Kerry Long found the target from the perimeter.

Kings held a comfortable lead 19-4 at the end of the quarter.

The second period was played in the same manner with Melton appearing in control at both ends of the court.

Kings’ defence restricted Titans to only a few chances, converting three, while the offence created numerous chances, but many went astray.

Stu Gibbons was guilty of missing at least five inside scoring opportunities, but Kings retained the upper hand and the quarter ended with Steve Harris’ baseline jumper to increase the lead to 33-10 at half-time.

Kings seemed to relax too much during the break, and Titans started the third quarter the better with four quick unanswered points.

But Reynolds and Tamosiunas steadied the ship, and Melton’s hard-working defence forced numerous turnovers.

The resulting fast breaks were missed in a scoreless period of the game before Titans replied with five points to reduce the lead to 38-21.

Kings regained some of their composure, but Titans won the quarter 13-10 to trail 43-23.

The final quarter started with points from Reynolds, backed up by Gibbons and Tanguy Whenham-Bossy as the Kings squad shared 14 points in the quarter and limited their opponents to seven to seal a 57-30 win.

The coach was not pleased by the amount of missed chances, but was pleased to see the whole squad on the score sheet.

Melton host Ashby C at John Ferneley College on Monday, tip-off at 7.45pm.

Kings: M. Reynolds, P. Hodgkinson 13, Z. Tamosiunas 12, R. Haffenden 8, S. Harris 4, K. Long 2, T. Whenham-Bossy 2, S. Gibbons 2.