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In a display that frustrated head coach Sterling Davis described as ‘rusty’ the Glasgow Rocks slumped to a surprising 89-75 defeat to a Mersey Tigers side that came up to Glasgow having failed to win on the road this season.

In their first home game of 2012, and their first competitive game for over a fortnight, coach Davis admitted that he somewhat expected his troops to be rusty during the games opening minutes. Indeed, both teams were rusty, as six minutes into the game the Tigers were leading 9-4, with both sides missing more than their fair share of simple shots.

Unfortunately for the Rocks faithful, the team were rusty for the entire first three quarters, shooting under 30% and allowing too many open shots on the defensive side of the ball. Despite a much better final ten minutes that brought a slimmer of respectability to the score line, Davis could not hide his disappointment in the performance of the team, saying, in a downbeat tone, that ‘from the rust it seemed like we just weren’t focussed, there was almost a lack of interest in the game’ before stating his disappointment in the inability of his team to respond positively from their early troubles.

Credit must go to Mersey, however, as they were able to shake off some early jitters themselves and their slick passing game, coupled with their defensive pressure, resulted in an admirable performance that belied their lowly record. David Aliu, as is so often the case against Glasgow, was the fulcrum for the Tigers and recorded an impressive 15 points and 5 assists while the ever dangerous Myles Hesson added to his growing reputation with a big double-double.

The Tigers passing ability notwithstanding, it was a scrappy and often poor game, not that Tony Garbelotto and his players will mind too much about that. Mersey raced out to an early 17-8 lead inside the opening eight minutes and never looked back. Glasgow, in truth, never looked capable of mounting a comeback, even at that early stage and produced a frustrating and disappointing three quarters that included Gareth Murray being fouled out following three early fouls in the third quarter after not realising how many fouls he was on. You could say that that summed up the Rocks night. A lack of concentration and interest hurt Glasgow dearly.

With many of his stars carrying injuries, coach Davis admitted it was a struggle and commented that the fortnight his team waited in between games in many ways didn’t help as he tried to strike a balance between resting the walking wounded and running his training sessions. Davis said that ‘we’ve still got guys with nagging injuries that they’re looking like they’ve just got to play with for the rest of the season.’ Bad news indeed.

Next up for the Rocks is a very tricky double-header next week away to Leicester and a Plymouth side that will no doubt still be licking their wounds after suffering a blowout defeat in the BBL Cup Final against the Eagles last weekend. Davis stated that he will be looking to work on the mental aspects of the game in training this week in an attempt to boost the intensity and effort levels in his team following such a disappointingly lacklustre display.

Next up at the Kelvin Hall are the Guildford Heat who will be keen to avenge their 99-94 defeat suffered in early December. The Heat have rebounded admirably following that defeat, which was their 12^th consecutive loss. They will prove to be difficult opposition and the boys in blue will be sure to need as much support as possible, so make sure to book your tickets!

Let’s Rocks

The Glasgow Rocks finished 2011 with a much needed 72-64 bounce-back victory over the One Health Sheffield Sharks following their horror show of a double-header before Christmas. Coming off two poor losses against Worcester and Plymouth, and with an injury ravaged squad, both Coach Davis and rising star Jonny Bunyan insisted finishing the year on a high was the only option. Bunyan, who scored all of his nine points in under two minutes during a crucial period at the start of the fourth quarter that edged the Rocks in front, stated that ‘we had to get the win’ while Coach commented that the team had responded terrifically in training and was proud of his troops performance.

With guard E.J. Harrison still out, and Coach looking suave in his suit while he sits out with a torn MCL, the Rocks were going to be up against it, but backed by a large and vocal Kelvin Hall crowd, the navy blue were able to pull off yet another stirring display against the Sharks, having previously beat them 82-64 in mid-November in front of the SKY cameras. While the Rocks were short-handed due to injuries, the Sharks were dealt a blow of an entirely different kind when leading scorer Jimmy Langhurst was unable to renew his visa and remained in the United States. Meanwhile, Justin Dobbins was suffering from the flu and captain Adrian Anderson remained sidelined due to a broken wrist.

It wasn’t a pretty game by any means, but the Rocks will not be too bothered by that as they look to stake claim to a top four slot in the table. The opening exchanges suggested that it was to be a scrappy affair as neither side was able to build momentum as missed shot followed missed shot and the Sharks passing left a lot to be desired. The Rocks built up a 24-16 lead early in the second quarter, but, as is so frustratingly often the case, Glasgow went missing for a large chunk of the game. With the defence being characteristically erratic in both its marking and pressure, Sheffield were able to capitalise on their rebounding advantage, and poor Rocks shooting, to go on a 12-0 run.

A key block from DeAundrae, and the hustle and determination of the Ginger One appeared to relight the fire in the team again as they closed out the half scoring more points in the final two minutes than they had managed in the previous eight.

Speaking after the game, Coach Davis was quick to heap praise on the young Scot saying that Jonny was ‘playing with more confidence’ and that ‘as time goes on he’ll get even better.’

A tight third quarter left the Rocks up by four points going into the final stanza.

Enter Jonny Bunyan. The 19 year old scored all nine of his points in a breathtaking and mesmerising two minute spell at the start of the fourth quarter that brought not only the crowd, but the Rocks bench to their feet in a mixture of adoration and astonishment. The young guard is playing with a confidence and skill that belies his teenage years. On several occasions he went right at the Sharks big men and beat them. Thanks mainly to the injury to E.J. Harrison, Jonny has been receiving ample game time, perhaps more than Coach would have initially intended, but recently he has forced his way right into the forefront of Sterl’s thoughts with electrifying displays and an infectious enthusiasm and hustle that can only bring about positive vibes for the rest of the players.

The Sharks never really got going, and despite out-rebounding the Rocks (55-33) they went an unforgiveable 5 of 35 from 3 point range, and shot just 30% from the field. That proved too poor an offensive performance from Atiba’s boys and the Rocks, thanks to back to back three pointers from Mychal Green, led by as many as 13 points in the final quarter before closing out a somewhat ugly, but very much deserved win.

The Rocks start 2012 with an away trip to perennial challengers and foes, the Eagles in what is sure to be a tough match-up against the table toppers then they have a fortnight off before the visit of the Mersey Tigers to the Kelvin Hall. You know you don’t want to miss that clash!

Let’s Rock!

Callum Carson