Storm back home to take on the Riders

Hemel Storm will search for back-to-back victories on Saturday when they host Loughborough Riders. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game…

Head-to-Head Record: 

Games played: 12

Storm wins: 10

Riders wins: 2

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

British Championship Basketball League Positions: 

Storm: 11th

Riders: 12th

Opposition Scout Report: 

The Riders will hope the return of Victor Ndoukou brings to life what has been a stuttering campaign so far. 

The 6’8” forward started the season in the SLB with Leicester Riders having had a standout term in Loughborough last time out, earning a place in the NBL Division One Team of the Year. He’s been back for three games but

really made his presence known on Saturday, notching 27 points against Nottingham Hoods. 

American Michael Joiner leads their scoring with an impressive 18.4 points per game and guards Jalen Cook and Johde Campbell have both provided solid outlets so far this campaign. 

A Sam Newman triple-double helped Storm to victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season. 

Memorable Meeting: 

Saturday 13th April, 2024

NBL Playoff Quarter-Final 

Hemel Storm 90-80 Loughborough Riders 

Hemel Storm secured their spot in the 2024 NBL Division One Playoff semi-finals with a hard-fought win over Loughborough Riders at the StormDome. 

The Riders had a strong roster containing the likes of Ndoukou, Elijah Bailey and Harrison Gamble, and they pushed Storm all the way in front of a tense home crowd. 

Mark Clark was missing the injured Hakeem Sylla and Brayden Inger as he looked to finish his first season at the club in style, and saw his lead take a slim lead early on. They were five ahead after the first quarter, but that was trimmed to four by half time and then one at the final break. 

Talisman Taylor Johnson fouled out with around five minutes to go but Storm were stubborn in their defence, limiting the Riders to only 10 points across the period. That allowed them to snatch a tight victory, 90-80 the final score, and ensure their season went on. 

Johnson top-scored with 27, while Newman collected an important double-double and Darien Nelson-Henry battled hard in the paint. 

And it was to be another successful post-season for Storm, who defeated Reading Rockets in the Manchester final to lift the title for the second season in a row. 

Last Time Out:

Storm snapped their winless streak with an emphatic victory over Bristol Flyers II. 

It marked a first win in nine games and Tom Baker’s first as head coach, and an impressive team performance ensured they were comfortable throughout - 90-52 the final score. 

A 17-0 first-quarter run gave them a grip on the game which they would not give up, with all ten members of Baker’s squad making the scoresheet. 

Kai Walker’s relentless energy earned him a 17-point double-double and Veron Eze had 13. 

Nottingham Hoods ended any Friday night fun for the Riders, overcoming them 104-87 at Harvey Hadden Sports Village. 

Loughborough led after the first quarter but then lost the remaining three periods to fall to a 13th league loss of the season. 

Ndoukou did his best to turn the tide, putting up 27 points in just under 40 minutes, while Cook had 16 and Campbell 14. 

From The Locker Room: 

Matt Norman: “After coming together and playing as a team at Bristol, we look to keep gathering momentum and pick up another much-needed win this weekend in Hemel. 

“We are excited to see what we can make happen and hope to see you all there!”

When, Where and How to Follow: 

Tip-off is scheduled for the usual 7pm at the StormDome, with tickets available to buy here. 

If you can’t catch the action in person, you can keep in touch using either the livestream or the livestats. 

Written by Callum Humphrey