STRONG SECOND HALF PERFORMANCE SEES KESTRELS OPEN AT HOME WITH VICTORY
A statement 89-54 win on their home court for the Kestrels against a London Elite side full of talent that lays a foundation for the rest of the season. Starting guards Andre Arissol and Kailyn Panchal-Bedward (KJ) combined for 38 points across the 40 minutes of play in front of a packed-out Solent Sports Complex.
The first three-point shot were the first points of the evening from the Kestrels captain with Arissol stepping into a nice looking 25-footer. Louis Weaver then followed that up with a three of his own to propel the home side into an early 6-0 lead. London Elite rallied back quickly through their starters to level the scoring back at 8-8 and seemed like they were ready to make a fight of it. The speed of attack was the clear strength of the Elite offense and had begun to find occasional gaps in the Kestrels’ defence.
Despite that, a make from behind the arc from KJ to end the quarter set out a 7-point differential between the two teams. That was until Nathan Sherman of the Elite found his grove, using his Elite speed and undersized nature to his advantage and get the best of the Kestrels’ backline. One bucket can often change a game and Wilfrid Santhe’s and-1 layup in transition did just that as it triggered a 9-0 Kestrels run to close out the first half at 38-25.
Two skip-passes found KJ’s hands, and he knocked down two threes within the first three Kestrels’ possessions to open the 2nd half.
Alongside a neat Weaver pivoting three and a La’Quarne Sayles (Lerkz) left hand finish, the Kestrels were suddenly 49-32 in the positive with a 17-point lead. A monster 24-15 third quarter performance built on the nest, put together, stick by stick with every bucket adding to the growing differential.
Even in rotation the Kestrels refused to faulter, if anything, that was their strength out on the home hardwood – the likes of Stelios Christofi and Lerkz offering energy outside of the starting five. KJ had not stopped his influence on this game though, another confident three made it a 31-point lead at 75-44.
More bench minutes and a strong momentum through the final five minutes completed a splendid performance in the opening home game of the league season for the Kestrels.
Box Score - FIBA LiveStats
Next weekend, we welcome back the Women’s team after their impressive win up against the Portsmouth Force in the opening round of the National Cup, in a league match against the Reading Rockets. Tickets for that match are available here – https://www.solentkestrels.co.uk/event-details/senior-women-vs-reading-rockets
The Men’s team now travel to the London Stars this coming weekend but will return back to SO14 on Saturday 17th of October to play Sussex Storm, tickets are available here - Senior Men vs. Sussex Storm - NBL Division 1 Men | Solent Kestrels.
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