Basketball: Cougars snared by Pirates

As with any season opener, both teams came out with determination. After a slow first six minutes, both teams started to score and settle into a rhythm but Brighton gained a 13-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.

At the start of the second, both teams came out looking to control the game. Despite the defensive pressure Arnoldas Suchanka and captain Rich Lowe’s scoring started to open up an 11-point lead for the Pirates.

But a last-minute push from Gill of the Cougars meant the score at the halfway point read 26-25.

After the break Pirates started to move the ball better and secured better shots at the basket. Some excellent defensive efforts meant the Cougars started to turn the ball over and force some shots, from which Luke Attfield, Tautis Vosylius and new players A Suchanka and Jerry Weirzhicki all taking advantage, as Pirates out scored Brighton 27-14 in the quarter.

With the score 53-39 to Bognor it was their game to lose going into the fourth quarter.

Brighton scored the opening points of the quarter but despite a moment of madness from Pirates in which four consecutive plays resulted in turnovers, Pirates held out to win 64-57.

Scorers: A Suchanka 14, R Lowe 12, J Wierzhicki 10, T Vosylius 8, A Plesky 6, L Attfield 6, K Wilson 4, S Hardyman 3, M Sharp 1, M Morling 0, J Parker 0, A Sewell 0.

Next home game is versus Worthing D&D on Tuesday, November 10 (8.15pm) at The Arena Sports Centre. It’s free entrance so come and support the Pirates.

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