Basketball

Medway Park Crusaders 85 Plymouth Marjon 67

A POINTS blitz in the third quarter enabled the Crusaders to take control and win a game which lifted them into the play-off spots for the first time this season.

Head coach James Vear had looked forward to Saturday's clash with mixed emotions. On one hand he knew it was winnable, but on the other he wasn't allowed to coach the game because of a suspension incurred for two technical fouls against Birmingham three weeks ago.

"We knew Plymouth would be a tough game, especially as they are in a relegation battle and would think this as winnable," he said afterwards. "They were also coming off a big win against Westminster the previous weekend, but we had a good week of practice and homed in on the key things we needed to do to win."

Stepping in for Vear was club president and former head coach Jesse Sazant, who saw Crusaders get off to a bad start when Plymouth took an early five point lead. The home team didn't panic, though, and Sam Betts and James Harris reeled off eight unanswered points. Betts was playing especially well early on, getting to the basket with ease and dishing to Brad Smith for a couple of easy scores.

Crusaders kept the pressure on and the quarter ended 21-16 in their favour.

League leading scorer Smith picked up his third foul early in the second quarter and Sazant elected to sit him down for the rest of the session, saving his fouls. It didn't affect the team, though, as a rejuvenated Greg Currant came off the bench to score five straight points to put the Medway outfit up by nine.

The lead was short-lived, though, as Plymouth found some rhythm on offence and won the second quarter 17-15.

Still, Crusaders were 36-33 ahead at the halfway mark and while the teams traded baskets at the start of the third quarter and while the Marjons went in front (briefly), Medway stepped up the defence and the game speed changed.

They reeled off 15 straight points behind 11 from Currant. Keeping the pressure on they won the third quarter 31-14 to go into the final session 67-47 to the good.

Plymouth didn't give up and still continued to attack and apply full court pressure, but Crusaders dealt with this fairly easily and maintained a similar lead till the end.

Said Vear: " The team came through a tough test. I also want to say a huge thank you to Jesse for filling in for me. He is such a good coach he made it look very easy."

Having won three of their last four games Crusaders are now in eighth position, which would qualify them for the playoffs. They are in competition with Northumbria, Birmingham A's, and Glyndwr Nets for three places, however, and any of them can end up between sixth and ninth.