The FIMBA GB o40 Wolfpack were back in action at the weekend, defeating Nottingham Hoods II on Saturday, before continuing their training on Sunday as they work towards the European Championships.
The Wolfpack descended on Nottingham on Saturday to take on a young and athletic Nottingham Hoods II side. The game gave Coach Mac the opportunity to try new player combinations, new ideas and gave the players the valuable opportunity of game time together. With only 80 days left until the XI European Championships in Malaga, it was important for the team to continue to play competitive games together and our thanks go out to Coach Woodhouse and The Nottingham Hoods for agreeing to the game.
The game was played at a fast pace, with the Wolfpack taking an early lead that they wouldn’t relinquish, despite some impressive long range shooting from the Hoods. New Assistant Coach, Anton Fraser, was on hand to support Coach Mac and advise the players on individual improvements and movements off the ball as the Wolfpack showed the various scoring threats in their armoury and their aggressive lockdown defence. Despite taking the win, 78-105, there were plenty of things for Coaches Mac and Fraser to take away from the game and work on in the Sunday session. Top Scorers were Gayle 33, Wellington 27, Knight 16, but it was a very balanced team effort.
It was great to welcome assistant coach Anton back to the team. In what was a fast paced game on Saturday, the team got up and down the floor really, and our experience really shone through as we came away with a 27 point victory.
Adam Slater, FIMBA GB o40 Captain
On Sunday, the Wolfpack moved across the East Midlands to Loughborough with the focus shifting to fine tuning the offence and defence and working on the small errors from Saturday’s game. Latest signing, 6’9 Martin Yablsey, joined the team and fitted in immediately with the ethos, style and brand of basketball Coach Mac is looking to play.
Great to see big man Martin Yabsley join us on Sunday, which was one of our best sessions yet. Coach Mac introduced new offensive and defensive structures. At the end of the session we were all in high spirits at the quality of intensity of the basketball we had been playing. With a couple of months to go before Malaga we can now work on the fine tuning and taking our level of play up even further.
Adam Slater, FIMBA GB o40 Captain
Ex-Loughborough basketball student, Nicola Morris from Stomor – one of the team partners – was in attendance and watched the Wolfpack go from strength to strength. After 90 minutes of shooting and fitness drills, the team got down to business working on the various plays at both ends of the court, supporting each other and working hard to get better.
Very pleasing weekend. Good competitive game against Hoods on Saturday and a lot of technical material put on the court on Sunday. Fitness levels are good, mental levels are good and technical levels are getting there. We are on the right track. Credit to the players, they always come to work hard and give their best effort.
Coach Mac