February was a busy month for the Rockets as we approached the season’s climax.
Each game was crucial with play-off places and league positions still up for grabs with only a handful of fixtures remaining.
Our Under-12 Mixed side suffered defeat in their only game of February, as they fell to Derby Trailblazers 64-51 in a game that swung back and forth up until the fourth quarter in which Derby pulled away with a strong 22 point showing.
Rockets’ Under-16 Girls side played three games across the month. A tense 61-60 win against eventual league runners up, Daventry Swifts, was the highlight. Coach Evans’ side managed to do just enough to hold on and earn a valuable win.
February was a tough month for our Women’s First Team as they suffered three defeats across the month. Their first game of February came against league leaders Stockport Lapwings; we would fall behind by double digits in the first quarter, leaving Coach Mintoft’s side with a tough task.
Rockets rallied to try and chip away at our host’s early lead but we were ultimately unable to make up the difference – eventually falling to a tough 56-47 defeat.
It proved to be a more productive month for our Under-14 Boys Conference side, with Coach Matt Gaskell’s team demolishing Leciester Riders by way of a 57-21 scoreline. Rockets limited the Riders to less than 10 points in each quarter as we secured the win at Nechells.
Our Under-16 Boys Conference team took to the court three times in February. A highly exciting 81-70 win against Worcester Wolves Academy would undoubtedly be the highlight of the team’s month.
Worcester started strong scoring 26 in the first quarter. We replied well in the second quarter, limiting Worcester to only 9 points while scoring 21 as we looked to find a way back into the contest. The turnaround was completed in the final two quarters as we extended our lead to win by 11.
Coach D’Alva’s playoff chasing Under-16 Boys Premier team had a fairly inconsistent February.
The highlight of the month came in a dominant 85-26 win over Cheshire Phoenix. The game saw Rockets control each quarter, adding to our lead and showing strong defense to limit Cheshire to under 10 points in each of the four quarters.
Rockets’ Under-18 Women’s side secured yet another victory as they inched closer to the league championship; Northants Lightening were dismantled 94-43 as we continued our winning run with Rockets scoring over 20 points in each of the first three quarters to take control of the fixture.
Coach Elfrey’s side also suffered their first and only defeat of the season in February in a close game against league runners-up Liverpool Basketball Club, losing 59-56, as the battle for top spot heated up.
February was a strong month for our Under-14 boys Premier side as they won both of their fixtures. The highlight of these being an assertive 72-49 win against York Eagles.
Our Men’s First Team had a busy February as they played five games across the month.
The standout fixture was a convincing win against Bristol Academy Flyers, 85-64. The first half was closely contested with Bristol going in two points ahead at halftime.
Rockets came out after the halftime break and looked to take control. In the third, they grabbed a two-point lead going into a crucial final quarter. Coach Douglas’ side dominated the final quarter scoring 24 points and only conceding 5 as they earnt a 19-point margin winning 85-64.
We would travel to Bristol Hurricanes one week later where we would secure a crucial 72-62 win to ensure we kept pace with the teams around us as a tense finale ensued…
It proved to be a frustrating month for our Under-18 Men; in the team’s final game of the month, they took on Bristol Academy Flyers, who finished the season in 6th place and lost by two points as they eventually fell to a tough 74-72 defeat. After a close first half, Bristol pulled away in the third, limiting Rockets to just 9 points while scoring 23. Despite a late surge from Rockets, it wasn’t quite enough to earn the win.
Overall after a busy schedule, Rockets secured some vital results as we look towards the end of the season in March..
By Joe Boon