Basketball Mens 1sts
Time: Sunday 2.30
Location: Tent
Points: York 4 - Lancaster 0
As time ran down on the Roses 2007 weekend, York were left needing only a single point to cross the finishing line and reclaim the coveted title. York’s men’s Basketball team were in no mood to disappoint. Led by inspiring performances from guard Stephan Khuner and captain Sam Cheng, York emerged victorious after a hard-fought and gripping encounter between two energetic, technically gifted teams.
After winning the tip and scoring on their first attack, York struggled to break down a Lancaster defence that crowded the key, forcing the offence off their game plan and into long-range shooting. Point guard Ugarte and captain Xanthou made up the bulk of Lancaster’s scoring, York unable to deal with the opposition’s quick offensive play, and somewhat fortunate to end the quarter only 12-10 down.
The second period, however, saw a complete turnaround in fortune for the home side, Lancaster’s zone defence becoming a liability as York increased inside pressure. Using centre Rob Edward’s height and Khuner’s quick feet to score fifteen unanswered points, a 27-15 lead was forged with 3:30 left in the half. Lancaster’s frustration was obvious, Xanthou engaged in a rather vigorous discussion with the referee, lucky not to be called for a technical foul. A mini-comeback saw the visitors pull back to 33-22 at halftime.
After the break, the game continued in much the same vein, as Khuner consolidated York’s lead with a blend of steady defence and confident inside scoring. It did not last. Seemingly regaining their composure and sense of purpose, the visitors enjoyed three minutes at the end of the third quarter, and four minutes at the start of the fourth, in which their aggressive defence and outside shooting paid off, shutting out York’s attack and reducing their lead to a single point with six minutes left on the clock. Reduced to desperate long shots and aimless drives, the game appeared to be slipping away, the once-vocal crowd hushed.
That was until Cheng reappeared on the court. Taking matters into his own hands, he scored a bruising lay-in, a free-throw, grabbed an offensive rebound and set up Khuner for another penalty shot in the space of 45 seconds. That proved to be the turning point. Stronger defence and calm clock management slowly drained the fight from Lancaster, and by the time Khuner scored his 22nd point of the day from the three-point line, the match, and Roses, was won.
