WARWICKSHIRE Bears Wheelchair Basketball sides got off to a flying start to 2019 with comprehensive victories for both the second and third string teams.
Bears 2 were in control of their fixture against the Aces second string right from the off, with Coach Peasley posing a considerable threat to the opposing basket, whilst remaining solid defensively to run up a 14-6 lead after the first quarter, whilst Aaron Grant’s introduction helped the Bears to a 27-12 scoreline by the end of the half.
Grant and Theo Pilkington made a number of fast breaks for the Aces basket, with the transition from defence going up another gear, as Warwickshire pulled away to lead 47-21 going into the final quarter.
Peasley then introduced Ellan Fraser for her debut in the second team, along with captain Aimee Lane as they comfortably saw out the remainder and claimed an emphatic 63-25 win in Division 2 South.
Bears 2 coach Daz Peasley was more than enthused with what he saw from his team.
“I’m pleased that we played so well that we were able to get some minutes for our impressive juniors Aaron and Ellan. It shows the ethos of this club with pushing our juniors and giving them the opportunity to play at higher levels.”
In Third Division Central, the Bears third string faced Leicester Cobras in the return leg, having narrowly beaten them in the East Midlands before Christmas.
This time it would prove to be a more straightforward margin of victory, with a number of junior and women’s players featuring in the side who helped maintain Warwickshire’s stranglehold on the game, eventually securing a 58-23 win.
Speaking on the result, coach Dan Smith said “It was a great team performance from all today. Jack Sheehy’s scored some great baskets in his first game this year and it was pleasing to see Liz Grinnell play her first game since surgery.”
The Bears second team are back in action this weekend when they face Thames Valley – the only other unbeaten side in the division, in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.
