Injury-hit Royals lose to Wolves
New boy Jules Dang Akodo impressed for injury-hit London City Royals but the Great Britain guard could not prevent a disappointing 90-81 British Basketball League Cup loss to Worcester Wolves, writes Geoff Sweet.
Akodo, 22, signed from German outfit Fraport Skyliners, threatened to tame the Wolves at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre. But his 13 points on debut, along with 25 from leading scorer Mat Bryan-Amaning and 14 from versatile Ed Lucas were not enough.
The Royals, missing four key players, started slowly and were behind (22-24, 42-43, 60-65) after each quarter. Brixton-born Akodo, signed last week along with 6ft 9ins centre Will Ohuaregbe who has arrived from Leuven in Belgium, only had three practice sessions before being thrown in at the deep end. Akodo said: “I did okay but it was nothing – we didn’t win.
“We started pretty slow and let them get comfortable. We were almost always behind but couldn’t make a run and a couple of threes at the end killed us.
“But I’m looking forward to contributing more. We have a long season and a lot of guys heading back from injuries so, potentially, it’s looking good.” Point guard Ed Lucas, pictured left, added: “Sometimes we come in a bit too relaxed.
On paper you see our talent which speaks for itself, but we have to speak on the court.” The Royals lost this first round cup-tie without long-term injury victim Ashley Hamilton (wrist), AJ Roberts (groin), Will Neighbour (hand) and Dayshonee Much, while Ohuaregbe hadn’t obtained clearance to play.
The key spell came at the end of the third quarter as Wolves overturned a deficit to score the last seven points of the period, sparked by an Adam Thoseby three-pointer as they took a 65-60 lead into the fourth.
The game was still tight heading down the stretch, settled by a crucial Thoseby triple to make the score 80-73. Long-range shooting proved the key for both teams.
Wolves hit nine three-pointers, at 36 per cent, but the Royals could only manage 21 per cent on their 28 attempts.
The Royals hosting reigning BBL champions Leicester Riders, who could only beat them in overtime last month, tomorrow.
Their record stands at 3-3, with all three losses coming on the road. Lucas added: “We must come out with all guns blazing. In the first game we had them until the last two minutes.”
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
