Flying start for new-look Blazers with Trophy romp
DERBY Trailblazers made an emphatic start to the new season, seeing off Bradford Dragons in their opening L Lynch Trophy match at Noel-Baker Academy.
Derby led from start to finish as they raced to a 94-50 win, led by Malcolm Smith on 24 points. Newcomers Sol Rolls-Tyson, Jonas Dieterich and Morgan Carter provided the main scoring support.
Rolls-Tyson completed a doubledouble as he added 12 rebounds to his 22 points, but even more impressive was the double-double of starting point-guard Charlie Brown, with 13 assists and 10 rebounds.
The win was Derby’s biggest margin of victory over the Dragons and Trailblazers head coach Matt Shaw was delighted with the result.
“There were an awful lot of positives considering it was our first proper game and we’ve not had a massive pre-season,” he said.
“I was really pleased with the way the guys played and the energy they produced on the court.
“When we played up tempo in transition, we looked very good, so it was a pleasing performance but there’s still an awful lot of stuff to work on too.
“I thought it was a great debut from Sol and it’s great to have a play with his size and skill set. He contributed in so many ways and the good thing is I think he can improve on that and produce some even better performances.
“Charlie was outstanding. He really ran the show well, made some phenomenal plays and to have 13 assists and no turnovers in any game is really impressive.
“Malcolm was really sharp. We know how tough he can be and it’s great to have him back in the country and with us for another two years. He’s taken over the captaincy this season and I really think he can take on more of a leadership role than he’s had in previous years.”
Derby went into the game without new overseas guard Ryan Bruggeman, who is still awaiting a visa, and Oli Stanley was also unavailable.
Bradford missed long-serving American Ricky Fetske absent through illness and powerful
youngster Great Osobor has left the club for Montana State University.
The Blazers were quick out of the blocks, with Dieterich netting six points as they surged to a 13-1 lead and forced the Dragons into taking an early time-out. The break was little help, as Derby added another six straight points.
By the time Jermayne Laing scored Bradford’s first field goal, there were only two minutes of the first quarter remaining and the Dragons were 19-3 in arrears.
Raheem May-Thompson marked his return to the Blazers after six seasons away with a big slam dunk but Derby’s lead was trimmed to 22-7 early in the second quarter before Smith hit eight of the points in a 16-4 burst.
Bradford closed the first half with an 11-0 run to make it 38-27 but Derby opened the third quarter with a lay-up from Brown, a threepointer from Dieterich and an offensive put-back from Smith.
The match was taken out of reach as the Blazers hit a 15-0 run in eight minutes, featuring dunks from Dieterich and Rolls-Tyson.
Carter scored the first basket of the fourth and went on to net all 13 of his points in the quarter as Bradford, seeing two players foul out, ran out of steam.
Derby are at home again on Saturday, against Myerscough Academy in the Trophy (4pm), and travel to face Team Newcastle University on Sunday (5pm).
DERBY: Smith 24, Rolls-Tyson 22, Dieterich 16, Carter 13, May-Thompson 7, Brown 6, Oberia 5, King 1.
BRADFORD: Armstrong 9, Walsh 9, Laing 8, Sulcs 6, Cousins 5, J Edwards 5, Lycoudis 4, T Edwards 4.