York form falters in basketball title decider
IN WHAT WAS quite possibly the biggest match of the year for the University of York Mens Basketball team, an 82-68 defeat to the Bradford Dragons has dented hopes of retaining the local Leeds League title in an otherwise flawless season.
This was the match that was set to almost certainly decide the league, with the two runaway leaders clashing in what was to be a gripping encounter.
York were top of the league coming into the game having lost just one match against Bradford, whilst the Dragons had suffered two losses to inferior teams. But this defeat has squared everything up at the top of the table, and because of Bradford’s record against York it would appear that they are set to take the title. There are still fixtures to play but due to the way in which these two teams have dominated the league it would appear unlikely that either side will slip up again.
This is a disappointment for York who have enjoyed a hugely successful season thus far. They finished top of their BUSA league without defeat, and are set to play Aberdeen in the shield, which involves the winner of each division across the country, on the 23rd February in a bid to win back the trophy that the club won five years ago.
President Simon Thomas stressed that the team had “not exactly walked the BUSA division, but instead won so convincingly because we have simply been playing really well.” This was underlined with some superb performances, in particular against Durham which were their closest threat.
The loss at Bradford was a disappointment then, but the team knew what to expect from the Dragons who are part of the same basketball club as Bradford’s semi-pro national league team and therefore have a massive pool of talent from which to select.
York captain Stefan Kuhner cited the depth of the Bradford bench as a key reason for their victory. It was also credit to York that Bradford put out such a strong side to face them in this crunch match, and the home side were clearly organised and coached well specifically to face the visiting York team.
“The defeat also had a lot to do with our terrible start to the match” added Kuhner, after Bradford had stormed into an 11-4 lead very quickly and this was a margin that York were chasing for the remainder of the game. Simon Thomas said it was “unusual to be playing a team that were younger than ourselves, whose fitness and speed were decisive factors after they had come out firing.” Despite Bradford’s early burst it was a hugely exciting contest, and by the end of the third quarter the score was 54-50 with York very much in contention. Unfortunately the Bradford number 7 took centre-stage in the final quarter scoring 13 consecutive points to put the game away.
As the captain Kuhner was instrumental, scoring 31 points, but Gerardo Garcia was probably the star man for York. His control and dribbling was impressive throughout, and he also contributed 16 points. On the night though Bradford proved to be difficult opponents, and while York constantly switched their defence between zonal and man-to-man, the Dragons adapted well and always looked dangerous with some impressive shooting.
It has been a fascinating campaign for York who ran away with the league last year. Bradford are new to the Leeds League, but have helped to inject new life into a season that York normally find almost a formality.
There are already the foundations of a powerful rivalry between the sides who have met three times this season, with Bradford winning both league fixtures but York knocking them out of the cup earlier in the season. York also beat the Bradford University team, which includes almost half of the Dragons’ team.
York remain upbeat after an impressive run this year, and looking ahead to the Varsity fixture against York St. John in Week 6. Thomas was confidant that York would win: “We always thrash them.”
With the shield to look forward to as well there remains plenty of opportunity for further success in this academic year, and much reason to go out and support one of the university’s most successful sports clubs.
