GLASGOW ROCKS GET SWEET REVENGE OVER TIGERS |
Everton Tigers 71 (14,36,53) (Davis 28, Sapp 20, Murray 15)
Glasgow Rocks 90 (16,37,66) (Jones 18, Moore/Hymns 14)
Glasgow Rocks maintained their stranglehold on third position in the BBL Championship table thanks to a comfortable 71-90 victory over the Everton Tigers at the Greenbank Academy on Friday night. The Tigers were looking for back to back victories over the Rocks following their sensational 1 point victory in Scotland in the BBL Trophy.
However in this BBL encounter at the Echo Arena, both sides traded baskets throughout much of the opening period but it was the Rocks who took control of the game as they held a slender two-point advantage, 14-16 at the end of the first quarter.
The second period followed much of the same pattern as the first with the teams trading baskets through the quarter as the visitors held an even slimmer one-point lead at 36-37 as the teams headed into the locker rooms at the half.
The second half finally saw both sides began to score a little more freely, but the Rocks stepped up their intensity at both ends a bit more as they won the third period 17-29 to lead 53-66 heading into the final stanza.
In the final period the Tigers tried valiantly to get themselves back into the game but to no avail as the Rocks ran out comfortable winners. Sterling Davis led all scorers in the game for the Rocks with 28 points while James Jones led the scoring for the home side with 18.
Celebrations of this victory will be tempered for the Rocks faithful as their starting guard, and BBL favourite, Rob Yanders left the floor with a damaged shoulder and was taken to hospital.
There is no news yet as to his condition but everyone at the Everton Tigers wish him the very best.
TIGERS TACKLE CRUNCH WEEKEND IN HUNT FOR SILVERWARE |
Friday 26th February: Everton Tigers vs Glasgow Rocks, Echo Arena, tip off 7.30pm.
Sunday 28th February: Newcastle Eagles vs Everton Tigers, Metro Arena, tip off 6pm. |
Everton Tigers go into a crucial weekend of fixtures which will decide the team’s destiny in this season’s British Basketball League.
On Friday (Tonight), the team return to the Echo Arena (tip off 7.30pm) in a key league game against play-off rivals Glasgow Rocks.
The Tigers are coming off a high-scoring weekend which saw them beat the fancied MK Lions and Worthing Thunder, but Glasgow will be still smarting after the Blues dumped them out of the BBL Trophy in a single point win three weeks ago.
Head coach Tony Garbelotto is under no illusions about the importance of Friday, with only a few points separating the playoff places.
He said: “Friday is vitally important in terms of the head to head record as we need to keep the series alive going into the third game in a few weeks’ time.
“With the play-off situation being so tight we cannot afford to let our rivals get a lead on us as it may come down to the head to head record at the end of the season so we cannot afford to slip up.”
Garbelotto also has to keep one eye on Sunday’s game against the Newcastle Eagles (tip off 6pm), the first leg of a BBL Trophy semi-final which gives them their strongest chance of winning silverware this season.
A win for the Tigers would leave them strongly placed to advance in the 2nd leg at Greenbank next Friday (5th).
He added: “We also need to keep the momentum going ahead of our trip to the Eagles. Both teams know each other well but I am confident we can get a positive result that will leave all to play for come the return game at the Greenbank."
He continued, “I’ve reminded the players that we cannot win the tie in the first game but we can certainly lose it. I am looking forward to the challenge as we think that we have found a bit of form at the right time and we match up well against them.”
Tickets for Friday’s game are still available from www.echoarena.com or the venue box office 0844 8000 400.
Due to strong demand from supporters, the club are laying on a coach so fans can cheer on the team in the North East. There are still places left, with travel and match ticket costing £20. Contact general manager John Cooper for further information: john.cooper@evertonfc.com.
TIGERS DEFEAT THUNDER TO END ANOTHER GREAT WEEK |
Everton Tigers managed to hold off Worthing Thunder after blowing a 21 point half time lead to clinch an 82-90 win on the south coast.
Tigers, coming off a big win on Friday night, carried on their good form with a 23-5 run to start the match. Adam Williams, Trey Moore and Olu Babalola were all to the fore as Everton ended the first quarter 8-27 in front.
The lead was extended out to 8-30 on Moore’s free throw before Thunder began to match their visitors. The margin hovered around the 20 point mark until half time with Tigers leading 22-43.
Worthing controlled the third quarter with Reggie Bratton making two early threes to begin a run that eventually pulled Everton’s lead back into single digits (54-63). Sherrad Prezzie-Blue drained another three to close within seven (58-65) before a Williams bucket ended the period 58-67 in Tigers favour.
Thunders comeback was complete when Sam Cricelli levelled the match at 71-71 and Evaldas Zabas capped an 8-0 run with two free throws to give Worthing their first lead of the night at 73-71.
The lead changed hands several times after that before former Newcastle Eagles team-mates Moore and Babalola combined for 10 points in a 14-5 finish to the match by Tigers.
TIGERS DESTROY MK LIONS WITH STUNNING DISPLAY |
Marshall MK Lions 82 (18,31,51) (Morris 16, Dupuy 12, Y. Williams 12)
Everton Tigers 122 (32,64,95) (Moore 31, Jones 27, A. Williams 27)
The Everton Tigers shocked the Marshall MK Lions with an amazing 82-122 win at Middleton Hall on Friday night. The Tigers recorded their fourth win in the last five games in all competitions and are now on the verge of cracking the top four in the BBL Championship; while the Lions are hanging on to third place.
Trey Moore led all scorers with 31 points, while Brits James Jones and Adam Williams had 27 each. The Tigers shot 11/21 from three-point range; they also had 17 steals and scored 39 points off turnovers.
The Tigers dominated the first quarter as they did most of the damage early on, despite the Lions opening the stronger. Everton asserted themselves on their hosts as Adam Williams hit 6 points in a row to make the score 8-11, before Yorick Williams and James Jones exchanged three-pointers as the Tigers maintained an edge. They made their move over the last three and a half minutes of the first stanza with a 15-5 push, in which Jones had 7 points, to go in 18-32 up at the end of the first.
Jones opened the second with another triple as the Tigers opened 12-4, meaning that they outscored the Lions by 27-9 over the first quarter break. The Tigers pushed the lead through the thirty-point barrier as Moore kept the scoreboard ticking over for his team the guard had 24 first half points.
It wasn t long before the lead was more than 40 as Adam Williams hit 8 early points to open the second half and the Tigers led 39-80 after five minutes. And that s pretty much where it stayed for the remainder of the game as the Lions failed to make much headway and the visitors saw the game out.
TIGERS TO FACE NEWCASTLE EAGLES IN TROPHY SEMI-FINALS |
Everton Tigers have announced the dates for their forthcoming BBL Trophy semi-final against Newcastle Eagles. The Eagles beat Worthing Thunder at the weekend to set up a repeat of last year’s Final Four clash. The first leg will take place in North East on Sunday 28th February – tip 6pm – with the deciding home leg at Greenbank on Friday 5th March, tip off 7.30pm. The 2nd leg will replace the League clash against the Tynesiders originally scheduled for that date, which will now be re-arranged.
TIGERS DEFEAT RIDERS TO CAP A GREAT WEEK ON THE FLOOR |
TREY MOORE GOES FOR 23pts - 5rbs - 6ast - 5st
Everton Tigers 94 (30, 56, 76) (Moore 23, Gumbs 18, Babalola 17)
Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders 87 (24, 45, 66) (Wierzbicki 28, Westbrooks/James 12)
Everton Tigers gave their form a boost tonight as they moved up to 5th place in the BBL Championship table, thanks to a 94-87 win over Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders. Both sides had four players in double figures, as former BBL MVP Trey Moore had 23 points, to lead the Tigers, Jerome Gumbs had 18, Olu Babalola 17, and Andrew Thomson added 16.
It was Bradd Wierzbicki for Leicester however, who led all scorers with a 28 point haul, whilst Isaac Westbrooks and Duane James added a solid 12 points each for the visitors, and Jason Johnson had 10 points.
Although it was the Riders who got off to the better start, as they went 4/6 from deep to lead 19-9 after five minutes, the Tigers then took control, as the East Midlands outfit struggled to put the ball in the basket for the second half of the period, and Everton went up 30-24 after ten minutes. The second quarter was then a case of Trey Moore doing some damage, as he scored four points in a Tigers burst which took them nine points ahead after an Olu Babalola free throw.
The Riders were not down and out however, as Lataryl Williams, Jason Johnson, Isaac Westbrooks and Bradd Wierzbicki, all found a way to score, meaning that the Riders were only 37-32 behind with just over five minutes left in the half. The sides exchanged baskets from there, but towards the end of the quarter, 2/2 from former Rider Adam Williams from the line, Olu Babalola doing the same, and Darrell Bethune knocking down a three ball, meant the scoreboard read 56-45 in the Tigers favour at the interval.
The third quarter was a similar story, although the Riders actually outscored their Merseyside counterparts 21-20, the fact that the first half had given the Tigers a cushion lead meant that they were still 76-66, and despite a late Riders resurgence, they held on to record a 94-87 home court win.
TIGERS DEFEAT ROCKS & ADVANCE TO BBL TROPHY SEMI-FINAL |
BBL Trophy Quarter-Final
Glasgow Rocks 87 (23,47,60) (Yanders 18, Copeland 14, Davis 13)
Everton Tigers 88 (21,40,60) (Gumbs 27, Moore 21, Jones 13)
The Everton Tigers secured their semi-final berth in the BBL Trophy thanks to a thrilling come-from-behind 87-88 victory over the Glasgow Rocks at the Kelvin Hall on Thursday evening.
In the opening period both sides traded baskets throughout much of the opening exchanges but a 7-2 run from the visitors gave them an early 13-19 lead midway through the period. A pair of Gareth Murray free-throws sparked the Rocks back into life as they finished the quarter the stronger thanks to a 10-2 burst to give the home side a slender 23-21 lead at the end of the first.
In the second period, the Tigers tied the game at 23-23, but the Rocks responded immediately and an 11-2 burst took the score out to 34-25 midway through the quarter. The Tigers were not to be outdone however as nine points from Jerome Gumbs helped the Tigers remain in the game with an 11-4 tear of their own to close to within two points at 38-36. Both sides traded baskets for the remainder of the period but it was the home side who finished the half on top leading 47-40 as the teams headed into the locker rooms at the half.
In the second half the Rocks maintained their advantage through the early exchanges but they were unable to fully shake off a resilient Tigers team as Gumbs and James Jones combined for a 16-5 burst from the visitors to give them the lead at 56-58.
A Mike Crowell three- pointer followed by a Mike Copeland free-throw gave the Rocks the lead back at 60-58 heading into the final seconds of the third period, but a pair of free-throws from Trey Moore sent the teams into the final stanza level at 60 points a-piece.
In the final quarter a pair of Gareth Murray triples sparked a 12-2 burst for the Rocks to give them the lead at 73-65 in the early stages of the quarter, but a 17-2 tear from the Tigers handed them back the lead at 75-82 with 1:09 remaining in the game. The Rocks tried to get themselves back into the game and despite back-to-back three- pointers from Rob Yanders in the dying seconds to trim the deficit to just a single point, the Tigers held on for the slender victory and book their place in the semi-finals of the competition.
Gumbs led all scorers on the night with an impressive 27 points for the visitors while Yanders led the Rocks in scoring with 18 points personal.
The Tigers next game is at home at the Greenbank Academy tonight (Friday 12th) when they take on Leicester Riders in another Championship encounter
FLO TO GO FROM EVERTON TIGERS |
Everton Tigers have announced that power forward Dzaflo Larkai has left the club with immediate effect.
The 28 year old from London has activated a clause in his contract and has accepted an offer to play in Japan for the rest of the season.
Larkai had become a firm fans favourite after a string of impressive performances so far this season but despite the Tigers best efforts he has decided to continue his career away from Merseyside.
Head coach Tony Garbelotto said:“We’re naturally disappointed that Dzaflo has decided to take the option to move away to Japan, especially at this stage of the season; but I guess this is a reflection of how highly he is regarded by another league."
“He has been an important part of the team, despite his injury before Christmas, but with James Jones back to fitness, and Kevin Bell not too far away, I’m confident we can keep the momentum of our season going."
He continued, "We will be reviewing our options to strengthen our squad, to make sure we can still be in contention as the battle for play-off positions builds up."
“I’d like to thank Flo for the great service he has given the Tigers and wish him all the best in his new team and in the future."
Everton Tigers play their BBL Trophy game on the road against the Glasgow Rocks tonight, Thursday before returning home to take on the Leicester Riders at Greenbank on Friday night. Tip off 7:30.
SPORTS ENTERPRISE CHALLENGE "A COMPLETE SUCCESS" |
"CLOSEST RACE THERE HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME IN THE BBL" |
TIGERS LOOKING FOR VICTORY IN BBL TROPHY
Everton Tigers are entering a defining week of their season according to head coach Tony Garbelotto. The long journey up the M6 awaits them on Thursday evening with a BBL Trophy quarter final tie against Glasgow Rocks at the end of it. The last time the teams met north of the border was in November when the Rocks won 84-69.
When we played Glasgow earlier in the season we were just coming together, said Garbelotto. We ended up taking the loss but a lot went against us. The Rocks are playing really good basketball right now.
Both the Rocks and the Tigers are among a clutch of teams in the middle of the BBL table who are all trying to catch up with Sheffield Sharks and Newcastle Eagles at the top. And while this is a Trophy match, Garbelotto is quick to point out that this parity between teams makes for some intriguing matches.
"I always felt that every team in the league could beat each other", he said. "But Sheffield and Newcastle are looking unbeatable at the moment. Yes, they can lose matches but it won't be very many."
Garbelotto continued, "I think you can put ourselves and Glasgow in with a group of MK Lions, Leicester (Riders), Cheshire (Jets), Worthing Thunder, Guildford (Heat) and Worcester Wolves who can all beat each other. From third down to tenth will probably be the closest race there has been for sometime in the BBL."
Tigers had hoped that the signing of current league Most Valuable Player Trey Moore (Pictured Left) would help them break from of the pack, but Garbelotto says it has been hard for the former Newcastle player to adjust.
"Trey has been really struggling and we don't know why. It is never easy bringing a player in mid-season and while the style of play we run isn't totally unique, it is very systems orientated. It is just taking him time to fit in. We have missed Kevin Bell. He was someone that would score easy points for us. There's a lot of pressure on Trey; he has to make shots, he has to play defence."
Moore is averaging just over 17 points per match in the four games he's played for Tigers. His proficiency from the free throw line is still very good having missed just three of 24 attempts.
Everton Tigers play their BBL Trophy game on the road against the Glasgow Rocks on Thursday night before returning home to take on the Leicester Riders at Greenbank on Friday night. Tip off 7:30.
GREAT TIGERS' FIGHTBACK FAILS TO SECURE VICTORY |
Everton Tigers 67 (12,28,48) (Babalola 19, Moore 11, Larkai 10, Williams 10)
Worcester Wolves 76 (18,31,55) (Middleton 21, Normantas 12, Gilbert 11)
Worcester Wolves secured a superb win on Merseyside as they beat Everton Tigers 67-76 to keep alive their play-off hopes.
A 9-0 Wolves burst, began with a Modestas Sidlauskas three, was all Paul James team needed to control the first quarter. Everton made only one basket in the final eight minutes of the period to trail 12- 18.
Thunder stretched out to 14-23 on a Rod Middleton three early in the second quarter and still led by nine (22-31) after Daniel Gilbert laid one in. Tigers rallied late in the half with a 6-0 burst to trim the gap to 28- 31.
Everton pulled back to within two (33-35) on a three by Andy Thomson (pictured) but Wolves immediately responded with a 10-0 run including threes from Middleton and Gilbert.
Tigers battled to stay in contention and reduced the lead to 44-48 before a 7-4 run to close the third quarter put Worcester 48-55 up.
The match was in the balance until very late on as Thomson's three cut Wolves lead to 67-69. However, once Kastytis Normantas had put Worcester back up by four Middleton and Sidlauskas closed the game out from the free throw line.
MERSEYSIDE TEAM LIFTS BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHY |
..but this time it was the Everton Tigers!
As part of the build-up to the Merseyside derby and the Tigers' big clash at the Echo Arena one of the most famous pieces of silverware paid a visit to Greenbank, where Olu Babalola joined a select band of captains to have held the famous trophy aloft. The Liverpool Echo and Sky Sports News were on hand to ask the players their thoughts on both big games this weekend, including Tim Cahill’s amazing jumping abilities as well as the growing American presence at Everton FC.
TIGERS READY TO BITE BACK AT THE ARENA |
BBL CHAMPIONSHIP:
SAT 6th Feb: Essex Pirates vs Everton Tigers (7.30pm) @ Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre.
SUN 7th Feb: Everton Tigers vs Worcester Wolves (5:00pm) @ ECHO Arena.
 |
Tony Garbelotto is demanding a vast improvement from his Everton Tigers side as they prepare for another demanding weekend schedule in the BBL.
First on the agenda is Saturday’s road trip to basement boys Essex Pirates which comes just 24hrs before the Tigers’ eagerly awaited return to the Echo Arena to face Worcester Wolves.
The Tigers will want to get their last two disappointing performances out of their system after they recorded consecutive defeats to fellow play-off rivals Cheshire Jets and MK Lions.
The head coach has demanded that his players move on from the performance against Milton Keynes last weekend and insists that he is generally happy with the direction in which his side are moving: He said,
“Up until the weekend I was extremely happy with all of my players. As far as I am concerned, the only bright spot for us at the weekend was return and play of James Jones."
Garbelotto continued, “I feel that every one of the players has contributed to our team this season in a big way. They have all played well, some at an extremely high level. They now though have to push on and get even better. That is what we hope and strive for.“
The importance of this weekend’s fixtures against two sides struggling at the wrong end of the table is not lost on the Tigers boss:“This weekend is critical for our team. The Essex game will be tough as they are playing at home and have played everyone extremely well in Southend. On Sunday we will be playing one of the inform teams in the league - Worcester. I know Paul James will have them prepared and ready, and we cannot have a letdown at home for this game. Our fans deserve better and we want to put on a real show for them at the Arena.”
Tickets are still available for the game by calling the Echo Arena box office on 0844 8000 400 or by logging onto to www.echoarena.com priced at £10 adults, £5 kids.
