Rockets overcame a stubborn Bristol Hurricanes 93-79 in our second KitKing Trophy group stage game to hand Coach Smith his first win in charge.
Progression from the group remains in our hands – with Rockets needing to win in Loughborough this evening (7pm tip-off) to secure pasage to the knockout stage.
After a tough defeat against Milton Keynes Breakers in the opening game last weekend, the team were eager to bounce back and did so in style against the newly promoted Bristol Hurricanes.
Three summer signings made the starting five as Zak Powell, Lucas McGregor, Martyn Gayle, Orlan Jackman and Luke Okosieme began the game.
Bristol started the game well with Rockets’ first points of the game coming through Orlan Jackman who layed up for two to halt the Hurricanes. Jackman followed with a three to put Rockets 5-3 up.
New signing Leon Henry showed his ability from beyond the arc hitting a tough contested three to excite the Nechells crowd.
This was the start of a clinical offensive period for Coach Smith’s side as Rockets took control and led 18-8 with 6 minutes to go.
Luke Okosieme slammed a signature two hand standing dunk and looked strong on both ends of the floor.
Bristol found their way back into the quarter and a quickfire surge from the Hurricanes cut Rockets lead down to a single point with the score 20-19 with 2 minutes to go.
The closing stages of the first were tight with both teams battling to go into the break with the lead.
A thunderous Sam Toluwase dunk looked to be enough to edge it for Rockets before Bristol snatched the lead with just under 20 seconds left on the clock and the first ended with the visitors ahead 23-22.
The second quarter started with Rockets working hard on both ends of the floor.
Okosieme rebounded well and looked a real presence in the paint.
Rockets started well with Toluwase driving to the basket, converting and drawing the foul, he sunk the free throw and was shortly followed by a Martyn Gayle three.
Some rugged, organised defense forced Bristol into errors and Rockets led 32-28.
Another new singing introduced himself to the home crowd as ‘The General’ Zak Powell hit a long range two and then slipped past two Bristol players to convert for two.
Leon Henry was continuing to make life difficult for the Hurricanes as he stole the ball once again and layed up off the glass. He was back at it again, this time a give and go with Orlan Jackman split the Hurricanes open.
Rockets went into half time with a 9 point lead, 50-41.
Both teams started the third quarter slowly.
Martyn Gayle was determined to get Rockets going as he was fouled beyond the arc to win three free throws.
The home crowd burst into life as Okosieme took flight and hammered down yet anther two handed dunk this time drawing a foul and converting from the line to put Rockets 57-45 up with just over 7 minutes to go.
Lucas McGregor then demonstrated his three point shooting ability with Bristol powerless to stop the barrage of clinical offensives as Rockets took control of the contest.
Coach Smith’s side held a 14 point lead with 6 minutes to go and it was McGregor once again showing off his handles to lose the Hurricanes guard and then fire in for two.
General Powell showed hustle to steal the ball and slam down a driving dunk as noise echoed around Nechells.
Once again, Bristol fought back and cut Rockets lead from 18 down to 9 to create a tense close to the quarter.
The visitor’s offensive streak continued until the end of the quarter, with Rockets taking a 70-66 lead into the fourth.
The final quarter started, and the opening stages were cagey. Rockets looked to slow down the Hurricanes after their lightning end to the third quarter.
Zak Powell looked to entertain the home fans as Hurricanes couldn’t contain him.
Rockets displayed exactly what this team can produce on offense. Gayle hit a tough three with by Leon Henry moving the ball really well to create open shots.
Powell showed off his acrobatics, rising high and laying up behind his head through traffic to entertain Rockets fans.
The buzzer went and Rockets held a comfortable 93-79 win.
A hard fought win for Coach Smith’s side sees them take their first victory in the KitKing Trophy and a first victory under his tenure as Rockets Head Coach.