Basketball
Bears ace signs off in fine style

Ernsford (Coventry) 58 Warwick Bears 69

TOP scorer Izaac Zevalking led Bears to an impressive Warwickshire League victory in his farewell appearance for the side.

Zevalking, who is moving to live and work in Las Vegas, was made captain for the night and signed off in fine style with a season-high 37 points.

Zevalking opened the scoring but Ernsford hit three inside basket to take an early 6-2 lead.

Two missed free shots from Trevor Wellsted did not help the Bears cause as they struggled to find the net.

Two late baskets from Sam Crawford and Zevalking kept the Bears in the game as they trailed 13-9 at the end of the first period.

Coach Ian A’Kempis blasted his team during the interval and it had the desired effect as baskets from Crawford, Ben Linnett and Zevalking fired Warwick 19-15 ahead.

Wellsted, and Linnett extended the advantage which forced Ernsford coach Greg Halder to call a much needed time out.

It worked as Ernsford hit a series of baskets without reply to lead 29-25 but Zevalking took command of the situation to hit a series of baskets to which Jason Aldred added a three-point effort to give Warwick a deserved 34-30 half time lead.

Further baskets from Crawford and Zevalking strengthened the Bears grip but it prompted a fightback by Ernsford who hit 12 points without reply in a two minute spell to level the game at 42-42.

A’Kempis called another time out to stop the rot with baskets from Crawford and a three pointer by Zevalking edged Warwick 50-47 ahead.

Linnett and Ashley Dawson found the net at the start of the final period before Zevalking took command and netted a series of baskets which sealed victory.

A’Kempis paid tribute to Zevalking for his efforts for Warwick over the last few seasons,

He said: “Izaac joined Warwick Juniors from Kineton School in 2006 and under the leadership of John Mumford had three successful years before going to Loughborough University.

“He returned two years ago and has avegaed over 25 points per game. We all wish him well with his job in Las Vegas and will certainly miss his attacking flair.”