Two free throws with 0.7 seconds on the clock was just enough to save Leopards blushes. The travelling Tigers came so close to causing a major upset in the first round of the National Trophy, a small league format competition for National Division 1 teams.
The game was turned on its head when Taunton staged an incredible fight back from 34 – 17 halfway through the 2nd period to go 4 points ahead with only minutes to go. It was the highly fancied Leopards who made by far best start with Pervan (26 Points) and Laws (22 Points) finding success from long-range. Meanwhile Taunton normally so deep and strong from the 3-point line unbelievably shot 0 from 15 in the first half from the distance stripe.
Pure blood and guts kept the Tigers in the contest with their pressure defence creating turnovers and easy scores on the break to close the gap to just seven points (45 – 38) at the half. Head Coach Heath praised his young stars for their toughness during the spell before the break.
“It was only a few months ago that we lost by 30 points to the Leopards but even when we couldn't make a shot we never lost faith. There is a new belief and energy about this team now and our response to adversity was simply fantastic. I am becoming increasingly proud of this group.”
The shooting drought was sure to end sometime and mid-way through the 3rd quarter Taunton unleashed their full range of offensive weapons. The Leopards could no longer contain the Tigers as they dropped 56 second half points. With captain Richard Anderson struggling with foul trouble it was Paul Yabsley (19 Points) who took the game by the scruff of the neck performing with power and finesse at both ends of the court.
Tim Clifford and Kevin Anderson both contributed 14 points and Joe Saunders started a 3-point avalanche in the 4th quarter with five other Tigers scoring from distance when it really mattered. Clifford drove and scored in the dying seconds to tie the game at 89 – 89 but had to watch with the rest as Leopards made 2 crucial free throws to win the game.
Taunton will almost certainly have to beat Bristol at home this weekend to keep an interest in the National Trophy. Their local rivals have edged all contests over the last 2 seasons but Heath is confident that the time has come to turn things around.
“We share a good relationship with Bristol off the court and both clubs are collectively proud of the way we have raised the basketball profile of the West Country. That respect though will quite rightly turn to fierce rivalry on the court this Saturday. Our pre-season win, when both teams were missing some key players won't count for anything but we really feel that we have developed enough to match or better them in some key areas.”