Kestrels took on the reigning NBL Division 1 champions, Derby Trailblazers on Saturday evening in the quarter finals of the Kit King Trophy and came up agonisingly short 95-105, in a down to the wire game in the East Midlands. In perhaps Kestrels best performance so far this pre season they battled for the full 40 minutes, staying within touching distance of the Trailblazers, who would eventually prove too strong down the stretch.
Isa Brandon and Russ Gariepy were in fine form posting 21 points a piece, with Brandon adding 15 boards and Gariepy 8 assists also. Greg Durand had his best game so far since his return posting 17 points and 3 blocked shots and Andre Arissol added 16 points and 9 assists too.
Kestrels started the better of the two sides and raced out to a 12-3 lead, forcing an early Derby timeout, after some positive scoring play from Isa Brandon and Russ Gariepy. The hosts responded out of the timeout and cut the gap to 3, to force Coach Guymon into a timeout of his own to settle his side. TSK restored a 7 point advantage for the remaining spells of the first quarter, however Derby rallied to close the period and tied things at 26.
The sides traded scores for the first five minutes of the period, going back and forth with no more than a one possession lead either way. That was until Derby edged in front by 7 through Leighton Elliot-Sewel with a little over 4 minutes to play in the half. Arissol and Ash Briggs provided some respite for TSK as they cut the gap to 4 and thats where the arrears stayed heading into the half, Kestrels down 45-49.
In much the same way the second quarter played out the third was full of back and forths also, both teams were in free scoring mood as the hosts Elliot-Sewell and Malcolm Smith scored on consecutive possessions, but would be matched by a balanced scoring effort from TSK’s starting group. The home side briefly got up 8 but would be met with a quick reply as Matt Hughes eventually pulled Kestrels within 2, 73-75. Post Derby timeout they did however extend the deficit back to 5 with ten minutes to go.
Kestrels cut the gap to 4 within the first two minutes of the period but Derby’s Smith was in dominant mood as he pushed the lead back to 7 almost immediately. Then 4 Elliot-Sewell points pushed the deficit out to 11 around the 5 minute mark. A number of successful trips to the line for the Kestrels allowed them to cut the gap to 6 points with just over 3 minutes to play. Derby responded to effectively close the game out though and found themselves up 13 with a minute to play. Kestrels eventually losing 95-105.
Kestrels will turn their attention to NBL Division 2 this weekend as well as the National Cup, where they play host to Ipswich and Plymouth Raiders respectively.
Tickets for both games are on sale now; https://www.solentkestrels.co.uk/game-day
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