Storm back in action as Hoods visit the Dome

Hemel Storm return to the court after a weekend off with the visit of Nottingham Hoods. Get to grips with everything you need to know ahead of the match with our preview below…

Head-to-Head Record: 

Games played: 10

Storm wins: 7

Hoods wins: 3

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

British Championship Basketball League Positions: 

Storm: 11th

Hoods: 8th

Opposition Scout Report: 

The Hoods are one of a number of teams involved in a ferociously tight playoff battle. Six points separate fifth and 10th, with the Hoods currently occupying the final playoff position of eighth. 

Vladan Dragosavac’s side are led by American guard Tyrone Williams, with the former NCAA Division One star averaging north of 22 points in his debut year in England. 

Countryman Bryce Johnson has also impressed since his slightly delayed arrival in the Midlands. The 6’6” forward is averaging a double-double of 16 points and 10.1 rebounds. 

Their other recruit from over the pond, Atlanta-born guard Donell Nixon II, is their third-leading scorer with 13.9. 

Elsewhere, the Hoods have fast-footed British guard Sam Akano, into his second season with the club after spells with Barking Abbey and Team Solent Kestrels, and former Bradford Dragon Micah Savery-Richards. 

Memorable Meeting: 

Saturday 16th December, 2023

NBL Division One

Nottingham Hoods 100-106 Hemel Storm

Hemel Storm rounded out 2023 with an entertaining win in Nottingham. 

It was a high-scoring affair and a Hakeem Sylla masterclass. The 6’8” forward produced a typically assured performance to register 32 points as Storm survived a late Hoods comeback to finish the year on a high. 

Mark Clark’s men had accumulated a 15-point lead by half time and maintained that come the end of the third-quarter, but their advantage was reduced to two during the final period. They remained composed, though, to see home a six-point, 106-100 win. 

There were also 26 points for Seth Swalve and 19 for Brayden Inger, as their side advanced their NBL Division One record to seven wins and three losses. 

Last Time Out:

Storm’s scheduled trip to Bristol last weekend was postponed owing to the Hurricanes’ venue issues, meaning their last action was the home win over Loughborough. 

That 96-71 triumph was comfortable throughout and marked back-to-back wins for Tom Baker’s men. They played with a fine blend of pace and power, improving in the areas that have caused them issues to date, and were blessed with contributions from the whole squad. 

Inger starred with 24 points, and there was 18 for Darien Nelson-Henry on his return from injury. 

The Hoods’ last fixture also came a couple of weeks back, where defeat against Yorkshire Dragons ended their six-game winning streak. 

They were trailing for the majority of the matchup but fought back to tie the game in the fourth-quarter, only for a 7-0 Dragons run to take it away from them once more. They eventually fell to a 100-94 loss, despite 30 points from Williams, plus 21 from Johnson. 

From The Locker Room: 

Veron Eze: “​​We’re excited to build on the momentum we currently have, and this weekend is an opportunity for it to pay off against a strong side. 

“Despite past results, we have a great chance ahead of us to make a statement about who Hemel Storm truly are.”

When, Where and How to Follow: 

Tip-off at the StormDome is at 7pm on Saturday. Tickets are available on the Fanbase app for what promises to be a busy night of basketball. 

If you can’t make it, though, you can still follow the game using either the livestream or livestats. 

Written by Callum Humphrey