BLAST FROM THE PAST: Chester Jets 72-90 Guildford Heat

Chester Jets 72-90 Guildford Heat
Friday 20th October 2006
British Basketball League
Northgate Arena, Victoria Road, Chester, Cheshire, CH2 2AU, England
Tip-Off: 7.30pm

SCORES - JETS COME FIRST
1st quarter: 19-19
Half-time: 35-44
3rd quarter: 47-66
Final score: 72-90


TOP SCORERS:
CHESTER JETS: Virgil 17, Hargrow 16, Cowan 14
GUILDFORD HEAT: McKnight 21, Wardope 17, Williams / Martin / Brown 11


TOP REBOUNDERS:
CHESTER JETS: -
GUILDFORD HEAT: -


The journey from hell turned into a night of celebration as the Heat
takes over 6 hours to get to the Northgate Arena. The game eventually
started 90 minutes late and things did not look good as the Heat
trailed 12-6 after 3 minutes. However, it was not a pretty game with
numerous turn-overs by both teams, but the Heat slowly managed to get
the journey out of their legs and posting a 15-4 run saw them lead
19-16 with less than a minute to play in the first. However, Chester
managed to level the scores at the first break, 19-19.

The Heat, still without the BBL's leading scorer Danny Gilbert, then
hit a 13-6 run to start the second period and started to dominate the
Jets. When Coach James called for zone defence the home side seemed not
to know what to do and they trailed at the half 44-35.

The Jets Coach Billy Singleton must have had some hard words for his
team as they started the stronger in the 3rd period with an 8-3 run
including 2 three pointers which forced James to stop the zone defence.
An 8-2 run by the Heat saw them regain control again at 55-45. But the
game was sealed as a 14-0 run either side of the final break saw the
Heat lead 73-47 and the 2 BBL points in the bag.

The final period was a scrappy affair as the Heat turned down the
pressure with the Heat bench players getting extended minutes once
again. Again all players got on the score sheet. Chad McKnight was the
pick of the Heat players enjoying his new role as an impact player off
the bench. Another solid game from Dan Wardrope, who really has been
the Heat's secret weapon this year.

The Heat now sits proudly on top of the BBL Championship as the only
unbeaten team in the league.