Taunton Tigers took a blow to their confidence ahead of the Men's Division 1 Play-off quarter-finals with a heavy 82 – 56 loss away to Derby Trailblazers in their last league game of the season. Tigers buoyant after last weeks win against Coventry to secure 8th spot were unable to generate the same energy levels against the Trailblazers who were desperate for the win to secure 6th spot going into the post-season match-ups.
Taunton struggled to find any rhythm against a well organised zone. Without any superstars at this level Tigers rely heavily on intricate team chemistry and quality outside shooting to get their scores. However with neither functioning well Taunton's coaching staff was fire fighting, solving one problem only to find another minutes later
16 first half turnovers by Taunton compounded the problem whilst fuelling some easy fast-break baskets for Derby. The 47 – 27 half-time lead did not flatter the home side as they dominated all areas of the game.
Simon Spencer so effectively closed down in the reverse fixture won by Tigers, easily found space and had already scored 19 of his game high 29 points by the break. Poor communication on defence by Taunton meant that Derby's other key scorers American, Stockwell (25 points) and Alloway (20 points) were given regular good looks at the basket.
Things improved significantly for the visitors after the break as Tigers started to find their feet. Derby still won the 3rd by 10 points but by the 4th Taunton players were moving themselves and the ball better creating offensively for Kevin (10 points) and Richard Anderson (8 points) to finish well. In addition with better defensive organisation Tigers had stemmed the rate of scoring at the other end. Winning the 4th quarter had created a more respectable 82 – 56 final score-line for Taunton.
Coach Ronnie Heath recognised the need to improve leadership from the guard spot, the position he held himself for the club for many years.
“We have 8 guards in the squad but only Matt Nolan is solid at this level. The others are very talented with huge scoring potential, but none of them yet can control the game, organise the offence, read the clock, game situation or opponents defence on a consistent basis. If you then give the ball away, often without pressure regularly, it is difficult to stay in touch in Division 1 games. This is nothing we didn't know before the season started and they are young and inexperienced. I guess I will be spending much of the summer watching DVDs 1v1 with many of them.”
Heath was quick to refute suggestions that he would recruit a floor leader for the next campaign,
“No, I will stick with those eager to learn, I have every confidence that 2 or 3 of the guards will develop into seriously good players at this level. If we do bring in a player it will be a big man to allow our forwards to play as forwards!”
Taunton travel to top seeded Manchester Magic this weekend. The opportunity will be a fitting reward to another successful season that has seen the club establish itself in every aspect at the top English Basketball level.