Storm on the road this weekend
Hemel Storm face a weekend on the road, first travelling to London Cavaliers on Saturday and then Bristol Hurricanes on Sunday. Here, we preview our trip to Uxbridge College…
Head-to-Head Record:
Games played: 14
Storm wins: 9
Cavaliers: wins: 5
*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:
The Cavaliers are known for their grit and fight, and they’ve been no different so far this season.
Head coach Nigel Lloyd, a former Hemel Lakers player, has assembled a roster filled with both wily competitors and basketballing quality.
American Daniel Braster has led their ranks with 18.2 points per game, alongside nine rebounds, and he caused Storm issues in the reverse fixture.
Dynamic British guard Juan Manning isn’t far behind with 17.9 points, and Storm will also have to deal with a very familiar face.
AJ Roberts was instrumental in Robert Youngblood’s side’s 2018 National Cup success, earning the MVP award with 33 points and becoming a fan-favourite in his time at the club.
Memorable Meeting:
Saturday 9th October, 2021
NBL Division One
Hemel Storm 91-85 Thames Valley Cavaliers
Storm opened the 2021/22 NBL Division One season with an entertaining victory over Thames Valley Cavaliers.
The Cavs nicked the L Lynch Trophy meeting a few weeks earlier, but Storm exacted their revenge here, despite missing the injured Greg Poleon and Bode Adeluola.
It was high-energy, high-scoring stuff, and neither side could build up a decisive lead. Hakeem Sylla was among the men on the away side, as was Blayne Freckleton who had 28 points.
But it was Storm’s Taylor Johnson who had the decisive impact, registering 28 of his own to help his side sneak over the line 91-85.
There were also 25 for Johnathan Lashley and 14 for Tayo Oyefusi.
Last Time Out:
Storm responded to consecutive close-fought defeats with a thrilling win of their own on Saturday, beating Worthing Thunder 101-94.
It was tight and tense throughout, as a rocking StormDome produced an electric atmosphere on a night to remember for Tom Baker’s side.
Matt Norman had 27 points and Darien Nelson-Henry battled his way to a double-double, as they weathered a fourth-quarter Thunder rally with a 10-0 run to seal the win.
London Cavaliers showed no mercy against strugglers Bristol Flyers II, dispatching them 110-70 on Saturday night.
They were beaten by forty a week earlier in Nottingham but were on the right side of the significant margin this time out. The game was all but over 10 minutes in with the Cavaliers racking up a 17-point lead, and they won all four quarters in an emphatic victory.
Manning had 30, and there were contributions from Roberts and Mekhi Collins, while American Braster was absent.
Busy in Bristol on Sunday:
Following the trip to Uxbridge on Saturday, Storm will head to Bristol to meet the Hurricanes on Sunday.
Tap on the following links to read the preview and report from our win in November’s meeting at the StormDome.
From The Locker Room:
Jack Burnell: “Saturday’s win against Worthing was a really positive one for us.
“The performance matched the energy around the StormDome, and the crowd were incredible - they made a real difference and gave us players a big lift.
“With five games left now, our focus is clear. We want to carry on the tone we set last weekend - the intensity, the togetherness, and the standards we showed.
“If we can keep that consistency between now and the end of the season, we’ll give ourselves a great chance of finishing strongly.”
When, Where and How to Follow:
Saturday’s short trip to Uxbridge College, UB8 1NQ, tips off at 5.30pm. You can follow along using the livestream or livestats if you can’t make the journey.
And the boys are back in action not long after, with Sunday’s tip-off in Bristol at 1pm. The game will be played at Hengrove Park Leisure Centre, BS14 0DE, for any fans wishing to attend, or you can stay updated with the livestream or livestats.
Written by Callum Humphrey
