Storm return home after a long few weeks on the road

After four consecutive away fixtures, Hemel Storm are back at home to face Bristol Hurricanes on Saturday. Read on for everything you need to know…

Head-to-Head Record: 

Games played: 4

Storm wins: 3

Hurricanes wins: 1  

*All competitions, since start of 2021/22 season. 

British Championship Basketball League Positions: 

Storm: 11th

Hurricanes: 13th 

Opposition Scout Report: 

The BCB era has been a struggle so far for the Hurricanes, knocked out of the trophy in the group stage and still searching for their first league win. In fact, they’ve won only once so far this season - an 87-89 trophy win at the StormDome in September. 

On that occasion it was Dan Edozie, former England international, who did the damage with a 26-point double-double, while Ebuka Ekwegh had 18. Interestingly, though, former Bristol Flyer Ekwegh has only appeared once in the league. 

American James Claar was absent that evening due to VISA issues, but they seem to have been resolved and he leads their scoring, averaging 20.4 points across his five league games. Claar played a big part in the Hurricanes’ 2023/24 promotion, but problems in acquiring the correct documentation have limited his impact since. In the meantime, the Western Illinois University graduate picked up back-to-back MVP awards for his contribution to sport at UWE Bristol. 

Elsewhere, there is Corey Samuels, who joined the club from the Flyers at the start of the season, and Elvisi Dusha, an experienced British guard with plenty of top-flight experience. 

Denzel Ubario, previously of the SLB’s Newcastle Eagles, is gradually returning from injury having been an important part of the team last year. 

Memorable Meeting: 

Saturday 12th April, 2025

NBL Division One Playoff Quarter-Final 

Hemel Storm 95-78 Bristol Hurricanes

On the night when Storm were presented with the 2024/25 NBL Division One trophy, they also advanced to the playoff semi-finals with a 95-78 victory over the Hurricanes. 

Having taken their foot of the gas somewhat after securing regular season glory, Mark Clark’s men were back to their best as they obliterated the Hurricanes to ignite hopes of a third consecutive playoff triumph. 

Tra’Michael Moton was the fulcrum of the performance, scoring 23 points to go with a wily defensive display, and the whole team contributed on a stellar night at the Dome. 

Unfortunately, Storm’s hopes of another trip to Manchester were ended by MK Breakers the following weekend. 

Last Time Out:

Storm succumbed to a fourth league loss and a third on the bounce, with the long trip to Newcastle ending in disappointment. 

The Knights claimed a 96-87 win as Jake Rothauge’s men continue to find themselves on the wrong side of very fine margins, agonisingly close throughout but unable to reign their hosts in after they built up a 10-point first-quarter advantage. 

Another slow start and their poor long-range shooting may be of concern but ultimately Storm know they are not far away, and their 1-4 league record is not befitting of their performances to date. 

Darien Nelson-Henry dominated the paint to score 27 points, and Taylor Johnson and Matt Norman chipped in with 16 and 15 respectively. 

The Hurricanes’ search for a first league win goes on after they lost at home to Birmingham Rockets. 

There wasn’t much to separate the sides, but a third quarter where their offence misfired and yielded only 12 points was their undoing - eventually losing 79-86. 

Claar bagged a 22-point double-double, and Samuels also had 22, while Edozie pulled down 13 rebounds to go with his 10 points. 

The majority of their output, 50 of 79 points, came inside the paint, with their opponents outscoring them to the tune of 39 from behind the three-point line. 

From The Locker Room: 

Matt Norman: “It’s been a long stretch of road games, it is important that we come together as a unit and have great training sessions this week to prepare for Bristol at the weekend. 

“We are more than excited to be playing back at home in front of our amazing fans at the StormDome! 

“Let’s get it done this week, Storm family. Looking forward to seeing you all there!”

When, Where and How to Follow: 

Tip-off at the StormDome is 7pm, with tickets available to buy on the Fanbase app. 

If you can’t make it, stay tuned via the livestream on our YouTube channel or the livestats. 

Hemel Storm's womens team begin the action on Saturday at the StormDome with their league game tipping at 4pm, so come along early to catch the action!

Written by Callum Humphrey

Graphics by TGD Visuals