Storm meet Thunder in Hemel this Saturday
Hemel Storm return to the StormDome to take on Worthing Thunder this Saturday. There have been plenty of captivating contests between the sides in recent history, and this one is bound to be no different. Read on for all you need to know…
Head-to-Head Record:
Games played: 12
Storm wins: 8
Thunder wins: 4
*All competitions, since start of 2021/22 season.
British Championship Basketball League Positions:
Storm: 11th
Thunder: 9th
Opposition Scout Report:
Poached from Reading Rockets after an MVP-winning campaign, Justin Hopkins has continued his impressive start to life in England this season.
The American’s 21.6 points per game is the highest across an immensely talented Worthing roster.
Another member of last season’s NBL Division One Team of the Year at head coach Gary Smith’s disposal is Adrian Scarborough.
The American forward spent that campaign at Milton Keynes Breakers and is averaging 18.1 points and 9.2 rebounds since moving to the south coast.
Their third import, the USA’s Elijah Maynard, led the league in scoring in his first year with the Thunder last time out and has had a solid second campaign so far.
Other notable names include experienced top-flight big man Matthew Bryan-Amaning, and former Team Solent Kestrels captain Elliot Dadds.
Bode Adeluola, Danny Evans and Jonathan Lashley will all be in familiar territory on Saturday, having formerly played at Hemel.
Memorable Meeting:
Saturday 10th December, 2022
NBL Division One
Worthing Thunder 95-100 Hemel Storm
Storm prevailed in a festive thriller between the league’s only remaining unbeaten sides in December 2022.
Storm versus the Thunder was a frequent battle across the 2022/23 season, and this meeting marked a statement from the Hemel side.
There was little to separate them on the south coast, but Storm edged the tight contest 100-95.
Aaryn Rai dominated affairs and came calling when his side needed him most, registering 30 points. Hakeem Sylla was another man on whom Dru Spinks could rely, posting 24 of his own.
Storm would go on to win the league title, as well as the the KitKing Trophy and the season-ending playoffs, where they defeated the Thunder in the final, and the National Cup.
Last Time Out:
Storm’s unwelcome relationship with narrow defeats continued, as they were beaten 99-93 on the road at Essex Rebels.
A tight affair looked to be slipping away as the hosts racked up a game-high 13-point lead midway through the final period, but a late Storm surge ensured a tense finale. They reduced the margin to two with 40 seconds to play, however the Rebels kept their cool to see out the win.
The ever-impressive Kai Walker led Storm with 25 points, and Darien Nelson-Henry had a 23-point double-double.
The Thunder weren’t in action at the weekend, and they may have been thankful for the break.
Defeat to Newcastle Knights two Saturdays ago was their fourth on the bounce, having won only twice in their nine games so far this calendar year.
They were 10 ahead at half time and seven to the good at the start of the final quarter against the league-leaders, but it all unravelled after that. They lost the fourth period 43-18 and slumped to a 108-90 loss, despite 30 points from Hopkins.
From The Locker Room:
Kai Walker: “It’s been frustrating losing by small margins in the last few games as we know we are right there, but it is encouraging that we are moving in the right direction.
“We all, as a collective, are putting in 100% to end the season strong and start getting over the finish line in games.
“Worthing got us back in December in another close game, so it’s time to get our own back on Saturday.”
When, Where and How to Follow:
Tip-off is at 7pm, with tickets available on the Fanbase app.
If you can’t make it to the StormDome, you can stay posted with the livestream or livestats.
Written by Callum Humphrey
