Storm search for first win of the year against London Cavaliers

Hemel Storm will look for their first win of the year when they host London Cavaliers on Saturday. Find all the details you need to know ahead of the clash below…

Head-to-Head Record: 

Games played: 13

Storm wins: 9

Cavaliers: wins: 4

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

**Includes games against Thames Valley Cavaliers, London Cavaliers’ name before rebranding in December 2024

British Championship Basketball League Positions: 

Storm: 11th

Cavaliers: 5th

Opposition Scout Report: 

Cavaliers head coach Nigel Lloyd is a standout name on the British basketball scene, and a man familiar with these parts. 

A professional playing career featuring spells at Leicester Riders and Birmingham Bullets started in Hemel Hempstead, with the Barbados-born guard switching the States, where he grew up, for Hertfordshire to play for the Lakers for in 1984.

A prestigious playing career was followed by a step into coaching for Lloyd, who has previously taken charge of London Lions and the Barbados national team.

His roster at the Cavaliers contains another name that may ring bells in Hemel in AJ Roberts. 

The British-American guard’s highlight across his time with Storm was undoubtedly an MVP performance to lead his side to National Cup glory in 2018, posting 33 points, six assists, six steals and four rebounds. 

And he’s still going strong with the Cavs, averaging 13.1 points across his 12 games so far this campaign. 

Another man firing on all cylinders is explosive Camden-born guard Juan Manning.

Formerly of Barking Abbey, Manning is now into his second season in Uxbridge, averaging 16.5 points per game. 

Leading their scoring, though, is American Daniel Braster. 

A 6’8” guard, Braster spent the last two seasons at Alcorn State University and is averaging 18.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in his debut year in England. 

Memorable Meeting: 

Saturday 9th April, 2022

NBL Division One Playoff Semi-Final

Thames Valley Cavaliers 78-91 Hemel Storm

Storm clinched their second upset of a memorable playoff campaign in front of a raucous away following at Uxbridge College with victory over Thames Valley Cavaliers in April 2022. 

Sixth-seed Storm came into the tie off the back of a thrilling quarter-final overtime win against third-seed Derby Trailblazers, and booked their place in the final by turning over the second-seeded Cavaliers. 

It was a back-and-forth tie, with Storm gaining and then surrendering an early lead. 

The Cavaliers, led by our very own Hakeem Sylla, stormed into a 10-point lead at the start of the second quarter, but a pair of Sam Newman triples pulled it back to three at the half. 

A couple of Storm runs saw them take a seven-point advantage into the final period and it was one they were able to hold onto, finalising their spot in the Manchester showpiece the following week with a 91-78 win. 

It was an agonising fall at the final hurdle, losing 71-69 to Team Solent Kestrels in the final, but a campaign to be proud of for Dru Spinks and his side. 

Last Time Out: 

It was a disappointing start to 2026 for Storm as they fell to a 68-86 defeat against Milton Keynes Breakers. 

In the StormDome’s first outing of the new year, the hosts struggled to find their offensive flow and were unable to restrict the Breakers’ consistent scoring. 

Brayden Inger offered some resistance with 13 points and eight rebounds, and Matt Norman tried to ignite a late comeback, making 15 of his own. Taylor Johnson top scored with 16 but it wasn’t to be as Jake Rothauge’s men slipped to their eight loss of the BCB League campaign.

Elsewhere, the Cavaliers came desperately close to a memorable comeback when they welcomed Reading Rockets to Uxbridge College on Saturday afternoon. 

They trailed by 11 after the first period, reduced to 10 by half time, but the Rockets extended their advantage to 12 at the final break. 

However, a remarkable 22-5 run inspired by a determined Manning, who finished with 26 points, put them 90-87 ahead with four minutes to play. 

They remained two points to the good with just over a minute on the clock, but they couldn’t hold on and the Rockets snatched a 96-93 victory.

Alongside Manning’s 26, former Storm man Roberts had 20 and Braster had 13. 

From The Locker Room: 

Taylor Johnson: “Hey Storm family, I hope to see you all at the StormDome on Saturday!  

“It’s my last game and it’d be great to see everyone there.  

“Thank you guys for sticking with us and continuing to support us.  

“As always, we’re gonna give you guys 100% effort and hopefully put on a good show on Saturday!”

When, Where and How to Follow: 

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

You can also follow along via the livestream or livestats if you can’t make it to the game. 

Written by Callum Humphrey