The Tigers success journey moved to the next station last weekend with a 77 – 74 away win against Coventry Crusaders that meant that Taunton leapfrogged the Midlanders to go take the all-important 8th spot in England's National Division 1. The game had only just finished when Head Coach Ronnie Heath was asking the players now to accept the goal of finishing in the play-off spots. The previous target was simply to survive in the top-flight, avoid the drop back down, and perhaps look below at the other 65 teams (Div 2, 3 and 4) and enjoy the status.
With the collapse of Solent and West Herts and now having already secured away wins against West Anglia Fury and the Crusaders finishing in the top eight becomes a realistic target for this year rather than next.
It was an emotional day for Heath returning to his first club and venue he had played in as a junior. To leave with a victory in front of a sizeable Coventry crowd swelled considerably by his own family and friends was clearly a special moment.
“I am so proud of our guys, it was the first time I could really put our progress into context. Coventry is a proud club with a blend of quality juniors, experienced pros and a couple of quality Americans. To arrive with a depleted squad and come out on top is yet another milestone for us.”
Taunton arrived to the game without top scorer Paul Yabsley due to injury and also the late withdrawal of Matt Nolan who came down with a stomach bug. That meant the return of Dan Howe in the squad and the promise of more game minutes for less experienced players. Both teams started with different form of aggressive defence and both struggled offensively in the early exchanges. Taunton struggled early on to pass out of the well drilled zone press of the Crusaders but hung on trail 22 – 18 at the end of the first quarter.
The Tigers decision to double team Luthie, Coventry's American guard, was proving to be a success. The play-maker who regular scores 30 points a game was restricted to an unusually low 8 points. The taller players for the Crusaders were then asked to make decisions in areas they were unused to and as a result Coventry's shooting percentage and ball retention became erratic.
This did create more space for the other import Sudler though and he consistently punished the travelling Tigers from the 3-point stripe on his was to 37 points. No individual Taunton player could match him offensively, but then this wasn't a day for individuals. The sheer intensity and hustle of the Tigers team inspired by the once again MVP Graham Jones (15 points) was enough to frustrate the Crusaders and fuel the Tigers fast break.
Three-point success from Joe Saunders and Alistair Bird edged Tigers ahead at the break 43 – 42 before defence dominating the second half. Dan Howe and Tim Clifford continued to harass Luthie whilst Kevin Anderson (15 points) was having another great day at the offensive end. The lead swung back to Coventry 64 – 62 by the end of the 3rd but this was always going to come down to the end game. Taunton Leaders Joe Andrews and Rich Anderson demonstrated their growing experience down the stretch organising their troops and making excellent decisions before celebrating a 74 – 77 win.
Taunton Tigers will have the opportunity to look further up the division this weekend when they host Derby who sits in joint 5th in the table.