Coach Danny backs Storm to bounce back

Basketball Ayr Storm U16 men twice lost to Glasgow City in the space of three days but coach Danny Gibbons backs them to bounce back.

First up was the Scottish Championship clash and a game of two halves. Storm trailed 20- 19 after P1 and took the second session ( 24- 25) to level at 44- 44 at half time.

In P3, Storm gave up some easy shot choices and relied too much on Mathew Keegan ( game high 39pts) which helped the home team take the period 32- 19.

Coach Gibbons set his side the target of cutting the deficit quickly in P4 and early baskets from Matthew Morrison ( 19pts), Paul Gibbons ( 10pts) and Isaac Femi ( 6pts) brought them to within four points. However, City took the period 23- 19 for a 99- 82 win.

Three days later, the teams met in a Strathclyde League clash which ended in heartache.

Ayr took control in P2 with Keegan ( 35) lighting up the game helped by passes threaded through gaps by guard Gibbons ( 11). Stronger defence restricted City to 12pts and Storm led 12- 21 at the break.

City edged P3 by 17- 15 but Ayr collapsed in P4 conceding 31pts including a heartbreaking first made 3pt shot with 18 seconds left to put City up by two points.

Storm steadied and scored a lay- up to put the game into overtime at 78- 78. It looked like heading for double overtime until City used their height advantage to crash the boards and put away the rebound to seal a 87- 85 win.

Gibbons said: “With no training due to school holidays, it was tough to face the same side twice in three days. However, we will bounce back and continue to develop as a squad.”