Luke Hatfield poured in a career-high 56 points to help West Brom Basketball Club ton-up on Premier division basement side Redditch Regents, and stay top of the table in the process. Check out the league table here.
The Black Country side put in arguably their best performance of the season as they cast Redditch to their 14th consecutive defeat in the top tier in emphatic fashion. Check out the highlights from the game.
Winning with an astonishing scoreline of 115-70, West Brom scored the highest total of any team this season across all four divisions of the West Midlands basketball league, highlighting their push to finish among the top spots this season.
Having secured notable wins over Smith’s Wood and Broadway Casino over the Christmas period, Tim Rudge’s side bounced back from a four point defeat to Shropshire Warriors in the league with the performance, leaving them with a 9-4 record – good enough for top spot.
The game itself started in a cagey fashion, with both sides trading baskets and the hosts actually opening up a small lead before West Brom found their way.The tables soon turned after Rudge implemented full-court defense to force turnovers from their opponents and create more scoring opportunities – a tactic which immediately paid dividends.
With Redditch on the back foot, West Brom soon took full control of the encounter before a second half barrage from the visitors secured the devastating scoreline.
Hatfield, reigning club MVP, notched a total of 12 made three point shots alongside his career-high scoring total, eclipsing his previous mark of 35, notched against Hawks in the Rosebowl cup competition two seasons ago.
Speaking after the game, Hatfield was quick to highlight the team’s performance.
“It was such a brilliant performance from everyone today.” he said.
“This is the best game I’ve ever had individually, but the way everyone worked together today against a team which can cause problems despite their league position was brilliant.
“We put in the effort defensively, got stops and we played our game, which is something coach has been preaching to us all season.
“I’ve never had a game quite like that. Every shot I took just seemed to drop – basketball’s a great game when that happens, but there’s no way I can get those shots without the team rebounding, playing defense or moving the ball.
“Another day, someone else will go and lead the scoring. Today was just one of those days where I had the hot hand – and it helps when you’ve got your coach and your teammates telling you to keep shooting!”
West Brom’s next game is up against Black Country rivals MLC in what will be their final regular season clash with the mid-table team – they lost their season opener against the side by 20 points, before securing a 12 point win in their last clash in December.
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