Bedford College Men's Basketball Academy Match Reports 2011-12

The first fixture of the season for Bedford College saw them play against last years league champions. Bedford College started well as they managed some easy scores and worked hard to disrupt the opposition with some excellent zone defence.

The captain and vice captain Mark Jemitola and Max Peller respectively led the way with some dynamic offensive plays that caught COWA unawares and led to Bedford College taking a first quarter lead.

Scott Frost was making his Basketball debut and did so in fine form as he connected on a couple of three point shots to further stretch the Bedford College lead. Debuts where further given to Jamal Waisome and Cristian Spiridon who have been full committed at training. One of last years returning players Connor Haggith was in fine form defensively blocking shots and taking charges against a physical COWA team.

The game was still close just after half time but Bedford College concentrated on both ends of the floor and found that their defensive intensity led to some easy fast break points and the lead got stretched to 25 points with Mark Jemitola doing most of the damage.

The final quarter was a little untidy with the away team trying to make up the large deficit by pressing and forcing turnovers which did result in a few but Bedford College held their nerve behind strong play by Max Peller. The final score was a decent reflection of the game with Bedford College recording their first league win.

MVP: Connor Haggith for his defensive prowess and excellent attitude.

Bedford College 73 College of West Anglia (COWA) 55

Bedford College made the long journey to Brentwood to play against a strong COLVIC College side that play at the same facilities that the GB Men’s team used over the summer.

The game started very positively for Bedford College behind some strong defensive pressure from Max Peller and Steve Solomon and some excellent shooting of mark Jemitola, Connor Haggith, Scott Frost who all connected from long and mid range to push Bedford College out to a 14-2 lead. COLVIC showed signing of finding their feet and closed the deficit to single figures by the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Bedford College continue to score behind the excellent inside and outside play of the captain Mark Jemitola who was unstoppable. Unfortunately the patient approach from COLVIC was beginning to pay off as the referee’s made some speculative calls and forced the Bedford College coach to take a time out and to substitute their captain due to foul trouble. Bedford College where still within touching distance at half time. Jamal Waisome got called for an unsportsmanlike foul as he trailed back on defence and dived over one of the COLVIC forwards, this play is fondly known as the ‘superman’ play and will be shown at the OSCARS awards evening in June 2012.

After the break it was clear that the Vice Captain Max Peller was struggling from flu like symptoms as he had to be quickly substituted and could not even stand up as he came off the court. The loss of the Max Peller meant that Jamal Waisome got his chance which he took with both hands as he hustled hard on defence and scored a strong lay up after a steal at the half way line. However on this play Mark Jemitola got called for a technical foul for hanging on the rim and had to be substituted which left the team somewhat directionless. COLVIC took full advantage and stretched the lead to twenty points.

The last stanza saw Bedford College coach challenge his players to direct their attention to the defensive end to try to slow down the dynamic fast break play of COLVIC, which to their credit they did as they matched the opposition basket for basket and allowed fewer points to be scored against them than in the third quarter. This period also saw Scott Frost complete a rare four point play and the MVP Mark Jemitola attempt but not connect on another four point play.

MVP: Mark Jemitola for leading by example on both ends of the floor.

Colchester Sixth Form College (COLVIC) 92 Bedford College 70

 

Bedford College travelled to Bucking to face little know TRLS who where very gracious hosts although they only fielded one referee which made the game slightly tense for all involved. Bedford College where slow out of the blocks with TRLS taking the early lead behind a couple of weak defensive sequences by Bedford College. However the team started to focus and on both ends of the floor and quickly worked out who the oppositions most dangerous players where and paid attention to slowing them down and making them expend energy when they where playing defence. Steve Solomon started to show his defensive potential as he continually man to man marked the strongest TRLS offensive players and made some excellent adjustments in the game.

Scott Frost hit his first three attempts from outside of the arc and blew the game open as he went for 4-9 from the three point line in the game. He was the only player who could consistently find their range from long distance and as a result the Bedford College players focussed on attacking the basket. Steve Solomon, Mark Jemitola and Max Peller all managed to break down the TRLS defence to score layups. Max Peller continued to pass the ball effectively especially to Mark Jemitola who was having a hard time finishing near the basket but stayed patient and managed to get their in the end.

The game saw Cristian Spiridon and Jamal Waisome get some extended court time and show their skills defensively and offensively. Jamal was particularly strong when playing half court man to man defence against TRLS point guard stealing the ball from and forcing him to pass the ball at other times.

The game ran through to its natural conclusion with no real drama as Bedford College secured the comfortable road win and a place in the next round of the cup.

MVP: Steve Solomon for his defensive intelligence.

The Royal Latin school 45 Bedford College 81

 

Bedford College could only use a squad of seven players due to educational and work commitments and gave a debut to Alex Holdsworth who studies on the Fd Sport Coaching course. The game was a strange affair owing to the home teams inability to provide a referee and this only being communicated an hour before Bedford College where due to set off to Hornchurch. Dave Morley form the Bedford Bulls Basketball club stepped into the breach and dusted off his whistle as he made the journey with the team.

The early going saw both teams start tentatively trying to feel out each others strengths and weaknesses, however it was Havering who put points on the board behind some strong inside play form their post players and a lack of defensive focus from the Bedford College players. Bedford College managed to turn the tables again behind some excellent shooting from Scott Frost with help from Connor Haggith who both finished with four successful three point scores.

The game ebbed and flowed and was overly physical as a lack of fouls where being called which led to the dynamic of the game being disrupted although Bedford College did manage to adapt to the different conditions more effectively as they managed to extend their lead to double figures at half time.

The third quarter went the same way as the rest although the long distance shooting of Connor Haggith and the hard work on the back boards by Alex Holdsworth and mark Jemitola generated some pressure on Havering who where very haphazard in their approach to the game.

The game petered out and saw numerous turnovers although again Bedford College managed to extend their lead behind some strong drives and defensive pressure from Max Peller to close out the game record a second road win of the season. The final quarter did see an outstanding team fast break with it finishing as Max Peller threw and all oop pass to the Captain Mark Jemitola who dunked it over one of the Havering players to the delight of the Bedford college players.

Havering 6^th Form College 51 Bedford College 71