Basketball: Kilmarnock men win third game in a row

Nov 20 2009 by Lizzie Struthers, Kilmarnock Standard

THE visit to Dumbarton proved a decisive affair and kept Killie‘s unbeaten league run on track.

Young centre Chris Milligan got Killie off to a flyer with a dynamic steal and score on the very first play.

Thomas Hamilton continued the Killie challenge with some big outside shots of his own.

Main shooter David Auld finally found his shooting form and managed to notch up six quick points late in the quarter.

It was late in the second quarter before Killie were able to get John Wylie on the score sheet with some fast break lay-ups.

With a 33-19 half-time lead, Killie tried to continue their pressure man-for-man game, and it paid off as they stretched their lead to 48-23.

Milligan stepped up his inside board game to score some splendid offensive rebounds.

In to the final quarter and it was that man Milligan yet again netting five of the last six chances to score a career high of 22 points.

Once again it fell to Thomas Hamilton and Jim Connor to organise the defence from the floor and it paid off as the home side were held to 35 points.

A good solid team effort, with all players contributing, demonstrates some strength down the bench, but they will need this in their next encounter against Glasgow Rocks on Monday (November 23) at James Hamilton with tip off at 8.15pm.

Killie top scorers: C Milligan 22, D Auld 14, J Wylie 11, T Hamilton 9.

Glasgow University 52

Kilmarnock Women 43

THIS was a disappointing performance from the team in their first away game of the season.

Killie were missing some players, either ill or injured, and this affected their ability to deliver baskets late in the game when it really mattered.

Trailing 14-8 at the end of the first quarter, Claire McCaulay was the only Killie player to find the target with any kind of consistency.

A physical and close one-on-one marking system was causing Kilmarnock to shoot often under pressure.

By the half, Kilmarnock trailed 29-22 but Claire Nicol had stepped up to score 11 quick points.

Continued low scoring throughout the second half meant that the visitors were unable to challenge a stronger, sharper University outfit.

By the end, the victory was a slender nine points but the Kilmarnock low-scoring rate, and some weak defensive play, contributed to this first loss of the season.

Killie top scorers: Claire Nicol 15, Claire McAulay 11, Carlyn Wallis 6.

The next women’s match is Wednesday (November 25) at home to Cumbernauld, tip off at 8.15pm.

James Hamilton Academy 40

Kyle Academy 17

Ayrshire League, Schoolsbasketball, S1 boys

JAMES Hamilton got off to a quick start, with guard David Tattersfield scoring early on the break and helping the home side to a 12-4 first quarter lead.

In the second half, Steven Inglis came off the bench to take command under the offensive basket and score four consecutive baskets amassing a creditable eight-point haul.

Stuart Cowan, who had been providing most of the passes for his team mates, got on the score sheet himself with a second basket by the end of the half.

A 13- 2 score for James Hamilton showed their dominance in the third quarter as Callum McQuade finally got into the game with three quick baskets.

Kyle Kirkland was the other Jimmy player finding a couple of scoring chances close to the basket before the final whistle.

Kyle Academy, still trying to the end, managed to score nine final quarter points to salvage something from the game.

James Hamilton top scorers: David Tattersfield 12, Steven Inglis 12, Callum McQuade 6, Stuart Cowan 5.