Solent Kestrels Basketball Club Southampton

Kestrels leave London Utd in the shadow of Twickenham

6th March 2010

Solent PREM London United - Richmond

Solent needed to boost their confidence after the disappointment of three national premier league losses in a row - one in double overtime to league leaders Westminster Warriors. At one point a victory looked unlikely as London Utd raced into a 31-16 lead at the end of the first quarter taking home court advantage. Solent couldn't contain the physical presence of 7' American centre McLean-Salmon and gave up lay-ups for easy points to the opposition.

Solent persisted however, and patiently pulled the game back. In the second quarter three-point shots from Richard Mann, Louie Over and Spencer Wells and a brace of baskets from Tom Bower took advantage of the flat London zone defence. Ryan Verrall closed out the half with a fine break away lay-up that helped narrow the deficit by six points but still left Solent nine points down at half time.

6'8" Charles Stiles grabbed a free throw at the beginning of the third quarter that began a run of points, including a strong penetrating jump shot from Luke Dismore. Valuable defensive rebounds from captain Sam Dye and offensive rebounds from Lewis Hendon-John ensured Solent kept possession of the ball for long periods. Jack Preston and Ollie Roberts also converted their points during this period of play and by the ninth minute had retaken the lead for the first time since the fourth minute of the match. A late flurry of points from the home team gave them a one point advantage with ten minutes of the game remaining despite a big block from Joe Hedges.

The final quarter was a low scoring affair but in a nail biting finish saw Solent score eight unanswered points in the last two minutes of the game and the London coach ejected from the court to give Solent a four point win and maintain their chances of strong play-off contenders.

Final Score: London Utd 76 Solent Kestrels 80

Solent U18's will be looking to strengthen their play-off hopes next weekend with a home fixtures v Plymouth Marjon at 5pm on Saturday 13^th March at Quilley School of Engineering. Spectators are welcome and entry is free.

Scorers (rebounds in brackets): Spencer Wells 22 (6); Richard Mann 21 (3); Lewis Hendon-John 6 (8); Sam Dye 6 (7); Tom Bower 6 (-); Louie Over 5 (1); Jack Preston 4 (6); Luke Dismore 4 (3); Ollie Roberts 2 (2); Ryan Verrall 2 (-); Charles Stiles 1 (3) and Joe Hedges 0 (-).

Solent put out threat of Fire

13th February 2010

Solent PREM Brentwood Fire

Solent recovered from the disappointment of their National cup Quarter Final exit to Bristol with a convincing win against mid-table Brentwood Fire in the National Premier League (South). The win kept them in second place and a play-off spot firmly in their sights.

Solent's pressure defence wore the light handed Brentwood outfit down and despite an even first quarter closing out at 21-21 the final three quarters were all won comfortably by the home team. Every Solent player got on the score sheet and by the ninth minute of the last quarter Brentwood was down to four players. The result was a comfortable forty-two point victory.

Final Score: Solent Kestrels 111 Brentwood Fire 69

Solent U18's will be looking to maintain their play-off hopes next weekend with away fixtures v 3rd placed Reading Rockets on Saturday and bottom of the table Milton Keynes on Sunday.

Scorers (rebounds in brackets): Richard Mann 26 (1); Jack Preston 20 (3); Lewis Hendon-John 14 (4); Luke Dismore 10 (4); Spencer Wells 8 (5); Sam Dye 8 (2); Tom Bower 7 (3); Ollie Roberts 6 (4); Ryan Verrall 6 (1); Joe Hedges 3 (1); Louie Over 2 (-) and Charles Stiles 1 (2).

Kestrels fight fire with fire

14th November 2009

Solent 103-72 Brentwood Fire

Solent Kestrels U18 men v Brentwood Fire 14/11/09 6'8" centre Charles Stiles had still not recovered fully from his illness to make the trip around the M25 to face Brentwood Fire and with Joe Hedges taken ill during the trip Solent were shorthanded for this encounter. Nevertheless they maintained their undefeated start to the season to hold on to top spot in the National League Premier (South).

Solent improved on their slow start at Hackney last week and finished the first quarter with a narrow 4-point advantage, the lead switching regularly between the home team and the visitors. However, it was the Solent outfit that finished the quarter stronger with points from Spencer Wells, Ollie Roberts and Richard Mann.

The second quarter saw important early contributions from captain Sam Dye and Lewis Hendon-John which by the second minute saw Solent move out to an 11 point lead. Although Brentwood never gave up with aggressive penetration into the key they couldn't recover the deficit despite reducing it to 6 points half way through the quarter. The Solent coach was able to rotate his bench regularly to maintain intensity throughout. Effective execution by Jack Preston, Evan Brookes and Tom Bower restored the 11-point lead by half time.

The Brentwood squad had been frustrated by some of the refereeing decisions and early in the second half this boiled over. A loss of discipline from Brentwood captain William Ashby resulted in a technical foul. Louie Over took advantage form the free-throw line. With the Brentwood captain rested by Coach Potter the Solent offence ran amuck carving numerous chances on the break. Mid-way through the quarter Solent had extended their lead to 21 points which included a nice penetrating drive and pull-up jump shoot by Luke Dismore, whose decision making is improving each week.

The final quarter was a procession for Solent, helped by more in-discipline from the Brentwood team and an extended period at guard for Ryan Verral. To confirm Luke Dismore's improvement in form he topped the game off with a nice three-pointer to secure a comfortable 31 point victory.

Final Score: Brentwood Fire 72 Solent Kestrels 103

Solent U18's will be looking to maintain their top league spot with a home fixture v 5th placed Reading Rockets on Saturday 21st November, 2pm tip-off at Quilley School of Engineering, Eastleigh. Entrance is free and spectators are welcome.

Scorers: Spencer Wells 17 (11); Evan Brookes 15 (6); Lewis Hendon-John 15 (13); Jack Preston 11 (5); Sam Dye 10 (3); Ollie Roberts 10
(4); Tom Bower 10 (10); Louie Over 5 (-); Richard Mann 5 (-); Luke Dismore 5 (2) and Ryan Verral 0 (3).

Kestrels hotter than white heat

7th November 2009

Solent 90-81 Hackney White Heat

As if an away trip to the 2008/2009 National U18 runners up was not going to be tough enough Solent made the trip without team captain Sam Dye or 6'8" centre Charles Stiles (injury and illness). Solent nevertheless maintained their undefeated start to the season with a nail-biting encounter at the Queensbridge Sports Centre to hold on to top spot in the National League Premier (South). With Reading's loss to Medway they remain one of only 3 teams in the country to be unbeaten in the premier division.

Unlike previous games Solent began slowly and finished the first quarter 10 points down after a fine display of long distance shooting by the Hackney outfit.

Hackney extended their lead to 12 points with the first score of the second quarter. This was to be the biggest Hackney lead of the day as Solent mounted their recovery. Spencer Wells, Evan Brookes and rookie Jack Preston all found their shooting form and at the mid-point of the quarter Solent has reduced the deficit to 5 points. The last five minutes saw Solent continue their pressure, led by tight defense from Lewis Hendon-John and points from Ryan Verral, to help Solent go into the half time break level at 38-38.

Once again the Solent coaches relied on the whole squad to contribute fully as Spencer Wells picked up his third foul of the day. Ollie Roberts and Joe Hedges contributed early points and Tom Bower provided a visionary assist for Evan Brookes to convert. Despite this effort Hackney had restored a seven-point lead at the mid-point of the quarter. It wasn't until the ninth minute that Solent re-took the lead for the first time since the first minute of the game with a free throw from Luke Dismore and another Spencer Wells inside move. However, a lack of concentration under the basket let Hackney off the hook and gave them a two-point lead with ten minutes to go.

Solent began the final quarter with 3 unanswered three-pointers, one from Richard Mann who controlled the game at point and played an intelligent second half of basketball. This leapt Solent into a seven-point lead by the second minute. But the Hackney squad were not going to give the result away lightly and by the ninth minute had retaken the lead thanks to strong inside moves and perimeter shooting by Taylor, who would finish the game with 35 points for the home team. Louie Over restored the lead with a couple of free throws and then a moment of indiscipline from a Hackney player sent Louie Over back to the free-throw line to extend the lead to two points. A tactical switch to a zone defence and further free throws from Louie Over and a crucial three-pointer as well as four more points from the impressive Evan Brookes ensured Solent finished stronger to secure the points.

Final Score: Hackney White Heat 81 Solent Kestrels 90

Solent U18's will be looking to maintain their top league spot with an away fixture v 5th placed Brentwood on Saturday 14th November. They then line up against Conference team London Spartans in the 2^nd round of the National Cup.

Scorers (rebounds in brackets): Spencer Wells 25 (10); Evan Brookes 15 (3); Lewis Hendon-John 12 (8); Jack Preston 11 (5); Louie Over 10 (2); Richard Mann 9 (-); Ryan Verral 3 (-); Joe Hedges 2 (1); Ollie Roberts 2 (-); Luke Dismore 1(2) and Tom Bower 0 (1).

A bad knight for the Crusaders

31st October 2009

Solent 94 - 73 Medway Park Crusaders

Solent Kestrel's maintained their undefeated start to the season with a convincing Halloween night home win against recently improving Medway Park Crusaders and hold on to top spot in the National League Premier (South). They remain one of only 4 teams in the country to be unbeaten in the premier division and continued their unbeaten run in a game where 6 players ended in double points figures.

The game was distinguished by another quick start to the game, which is becoming a trademark of the Solent outfit this year. The visitors couldn't even get any points on the board until the 7^th minute; such was the intensity of the Solent defence. By then they were 14 points ahead with all of those points contributed by Spencer Wells and captain Sam Dye. The quarter was closed out by solid performances by guard Ollie Roberts, who would finish the game with his first double points haul of the season, and centre Charles Stiles that saw the visitors trailing 25-8 - a deficit that they were never to recover from.
   In a high fouling match the Solent coaches required the whole squad to contribute fully. Jack Preston and Even Brookes kept the score ticking over and Medway only managed to claw back one point of the deficit in this period that saw them going into the half time break trailing by 16 points.
    The third quarter was another even period with both teams trading baskets. In the 6^th minute a three-pointer from Richard Mann gave Solent their biggest lead of the game so far - 20 points. However, it was the Kent outfit that finished stronger and returned the deficit to 17 points with a quarter remaining.

Solent began the final quarter like they did the first and 13 unanswered points gave them a 32 point lead by the 5^th minute, including a spectacular breakaway dunk from Sam Dye, his second of the game. Despite a valiant effort by the Medway team in the last 5 minutes which saw them claw their way back to a semblance of respectability, Tom Bower's three rejections and Luke Dismore's ball distribution and athletic rebounding enabled Solent to close out the game as comfortable winners, with a Ryan Verral lay-up.
Final Score: Solent Kestrels 94 Medway Park Crusaders 73

Solent U18's will be looking to maintain their top league spot with an away fixture v 2nd placed Hackney on Saturday 7th November.

Scorers (rebounds in brackets): Spencer Wells 25 (11); Jack Preston 13 (6); Lewis Hendon-John 12 (5); Ollie Roberts 11 (2); Sam Dye 10 (3); Richard Mann 9 (1); Evan Brookes 6 (2); Tom Bower 2 (2); Charles Stiles 2 (1); Ryan Verral 2 (1); Louie Over 2 (-) and Luke Dismore 0 (3).

Solent dominate and progress to 2nd round of National Cup

25th October 2009

Solent 116 - 56 Guildford Heat - CUP

The Solent outfit opened their National cup campaign with a tricky away fixture against conference side Guildford Heat, with influential big man Spencer Wells rested for this game. Most players managed to remember the clocks changed and it was then a short trip up the M3 to Collingwood College.

Like yesterday's match Solent raced into an early lead and by the 4^th minute were already 10-1 ahead with a good scattering of points amongst the starting five, including impressive offensive rebounds and put-backs from 6'8" Charles Stiles. Evan Brookes and Jack Preston impressed as they pushed the Solent total to 26-7 at the end of the first quarter.
The plucky Guildford squad, led by welsh international point guard Simpson, traded baskets for the first half of the second quarter but Solent were kept well ahead by some sharp shooting from guard/forward Ryan Verral, despite half of the Guildford's quarters points coming from beyond the three-point arc. Joe Hedges showed his growing maturity on court by contributing points both close in and from a distance.

The visiting supporters might have thought that Solent would relax and be happy with their 55-26 half time lead but if anything their 3^rd quarter was probably their most impressive. Lewis Hendon-John contained Guildford's danger man Labban to help build a 20-point quarter margin, helped by two three-pointers from Richard Mann (who was to add a four point play in the final quarter) that left them 51 points clear with 10 minutes remaining.

The final quarter saw the Guildford team valiantly try to close the margin by strong penetration into the Solent zone, which momentarily Solent failed to deal with. However, Solent re-grouped and with the Guildford squad being stretched were able to take advantage with two impressive breakaway dunks from Sam Dye and Tom Bower. Guards Luke Dismore, Ollie Roberts and Louie Over continued to distribute the ball effectively which saw them amass 16 assists between them on the day and eventually run out comfortable winners. Solent await the outcome of the London United v London Spartans match to find out who their 2^nd round opponents will be.

Final Score: Guildford Heat 56 Solent Kestrels 116

Solent will be looking to maintain their top league spot with a home fixture v Medway Park Crusaders on Saturday 31st October at Quilley School of Engineering, Eastleigh at 5pm. Spectators are welcome and entry is free.

Scorers (rebounds in brackets): Jack Preston 21 (2); Tom Bower 16 (9); Sam Dye 16 (5); Evan Brookes 14 (11); Charles Stiles 12 (8); Richard Mann 12 (4); Ryan Verral 11 (-); Joe Hedges 8 (3); Louie Over 4 (1); Lewis Hendon-John 2 (6); Ollie Roberts 0 (2) and Luke Dismore 0 (-).

Solent get by

24th October 2009

Solent 69 - 57 Bristol Academy Flyers

Solent Kestrel's took their talented U18 national league team to Bristol and came home with a 12-point victory that saw them hold top spot for the first time this season. They continued their unbeaten run despite not playing their best basketball of the season. Resting guard Ryan Verral and with influential 6'7" forward Spencer Wells arriving home from a trip stateside the day before the game the Kestrels squad looked strangely out of sorts during parts of the game.

This was despite a rapid start to the game leaping them into an 8-0 lead after 3 minutes and a 15-3 lead 2 minutes later. Bristol finished the quarter stronger and pegged back the Solent score, which apart from a solitary free throw from Louie Over, was contributed entirely by Lewis Hendon-John and Spencer Wells.

The second quarter was an even affair levelled at 16 points a-piece. Solent struggled to find their rhythm against a Bristol team who had by now retreated into a zone defence. Ollie Roberts impressed as covering guard, scoring his first points as a player at U18 national league level. 6'8" Charles Stiles entered the game and dominated the boards as well as contributing important points.

Solent continued to edge slowly away from the Bristol outfit and the third quarter saw team captain Sam Dye go on a scoring spree grabbing half of the team's total in the quarter including a long-range three pointer.

Luke Dismore controlled the ball well against the press in a low scoring final quarter as Jack Preston, feeling under the weather, scored his only points of the day as Solent closed out the game 69-57 winners.

Final Score: Bristol Academy Flyers 57 Solent Kestrels 69

Scorers (rebounds in brackets): Spencer Wells 26 (9); Lewis Hendon-John 16 (12); Sam Dye 17 (7); Louie Over 4 (4); Jack Preston 2 (6); Charles Stiles 2 (5); Ollie Roberts 2 (3); Evan Brookes 0 (3); Luke Dismore 0 (3); Tom Bower 0 (2); Joe Hedges 0 (1) and Richard Mann 0 (1).

U18 Men Premier

10th October 2009

Solent 91 - 60 Brixton Topcats

Solent Kestrel’s U18 men continued their winning start to their 2009/10 season with at win at the home club of Chicago Bulls and GB star Luol Deng in the National League Premier (South) Division. With team captain Sam Dye and Luke Dismore both recovered from their injuries the only absentee was centre Charles Stiles who was still recovering from a mid-week illness. The starting five got out of the blocks quickly and limited the home team to just 8 points in the first quarter whilst scoring 28 points of their own, half of which were converted by Evan Brookes and Spencer Wells. However the second quarter saw Solent lose their momentum as they failed to prevent Brixton’s penetration from the point. Despite Lewis Hendon-Johns accurate free-throw shooting and aggressive defence Brixton shaved the second quarter by 2 points to narrow the gap at half time to 43-27.

Solent re-grouped in the second half and by the third minute had moved out to a twenty-point lead, one that they would not surrender. Joe Hedges opened his 2009/2010 points campaign with a neatly taken inside score and Jack Preston (fully recovered from last weeks nasty knock) enjoyed a lot of space on the break to convert accurate passes from guards Ryan Verral and Richard Mann. However, it was Louie Over who made the basket of the day. Whilst attempting to find a teammate under the basket from near the halfway line he found the basket instead, much to the amusement of both travelling and home supporters.Luke Dismore controlled the ball well at guard and Ollie Robert’s confidence is building nicely in his first season at U18 Premier league level. Tom Bower contributed by pulling down some important rebounds to help Solent to an impressive 31 point win that puts them into third place in the Division.

Final Score: Brixton Topcats 60 Solent Kestrels 91
Scorers (rebounds in brackets): Spencer Wells 27 (8); Lewis Hendon-John 13 (6); Sam Dye 13 (3); Jack Preston 10 (2); Richard Mann 10 (1); Evan Brookes 9 (1); Louie Over 3 (5); Tom Bower 3 (2); Joe Hedges 2 (4); Ryan Verral 2 (2) and Ollie Roberts 0 (1).

Solent will be looking to keep up their winning start to the season with a home fixture v Taunton Tigers on Saturday 17^th October at Quilley School of Engineering, Eastleigh at 5pm. Spectators are welcome and entry is free.

Solent tame Lions

3rd October 2009

Solent 97-81 Milton Keynes Lions

Solent Kestrel's U18 men got their 2009/10 season off to a winning start with an impressive display over Milton Keynes Lions in the National League Premier (South) Division. With team captain Sam Dye and Luke Dismore both sidelined with injury it was left to Lewis Hendon-John to captain the team in their effort to emulate last season's appearance in the national finals. The 2009/2010 Solent squad brought back together the 2007/2008 season National U16 cup finalists supplemented by former Southampton Trailblazer Richard Mann who impressed on his debut.

Coached by 6' 9" BBL star Michael New from New Mexico State, the Lions outfit pushed Solent hard in the first quarter and at the close led by 2 points. However the second quarter saw Solent go on a 13 point unanswered run - 9 of these points being scored by 6'7" Spencer Wells. An effective press and patient offence saw Solent move ahead by 10 points after 5 minutes, a lead which the Lions were never to recover from despite accurate perimeter shooting from England U16 player Harry Turner.

Evan Brookes enjoyed a successful afternoon both shooting and on the boards and there were impressive debuts in the Premier Division by Tom Bower, Ollie Roberts, Jack Preston (despite taking a nasty knock in the third quarter), Joe Hedges and Charles Stiles. The other debutant, Ryan Verral substituted well for guard Louie Over, who was unlucky to have his game curtailed by picking up some questionable fouls but still controlled the offence and provided a valuable 7 assists.

Final Score: Solent Kestrels 97 Milton Keynes Lions 81

Scorers (rebounds in brackets): Spencer Wells 40 (9); Richard Mann 17 (2); Evan Brookes 16 (5); Lewis Hendon-John 9 (5); Ryan Verral 7 (2); Tom Bower 4 (2); Jack Preston 4 (-); Louie Over 0 (3); Joe Hedges 0 (2); Charles Stiles 0 (1) and Ollie Roberts 0 (1).

Team U18