CHAMPION GLADIATORS RECORD ANOTHER IMPRESSIVE WIN - Posted on March 3rd, 2014

The Colchester Gladiators basketball team clinched the Suffolk League Division Two title when they defeated their nearest rival Deben Jutes, at Colchester Academy Sports Centre.

After a tight first period, the Gladiators blew their opponents off the court with a devastating second quarter, outscoring their opponents by 20 points while recording a season high for points in a quarter. From there, there was no way back for the visitors but an improved third quarter brought back some respectability to the score line and they actually won the second half but the damage had been done.

Head Coach Lawrence Walker surprised everyone with his starting line up, keeping top scorers Dan Vilkys and Richard Ese on the bench but the starters Chris Baker, Kelechi Anumni, Stuart Stearns, Ilya Krasikov and Andis Leitis more than held their own and with Baker opening the scoring and Stearns sinking a couple of three pointers, held a 12-8 lead.

A 6-2 Jutes run tied the score at 14 before they squeezed into a narrow 20-19 lead but the introduction of Vilkys, Ese and Nathan Syrett reclaimed the lead at 22-20 at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter was a demonstration of the strengths of this Gladiators team. Vilkys received a good supply under the basket, Ese scored 13 of his 16 points in the period including three three pointers, scoring support from all players, Syrett, Zidrunas Valancius, Rhett Burton and Ernestas Valancius, and dominating the rebounds. The Gladiators put together runs of 9-2 to open the quarter 11-0, and 8-0 to put the game away before half time. Three consecutive threes from Ese and Vilkys demoralised their opponents and it was just a question if the Gladiators could take the momentum into the second half.

With the game already won, leading 54-32, the Gladiators can be forgiven for losing their concentration and to the Jutes’ credit, they fought back, and a 7-2 run to end the period reduced the deficit by seven.

Both teams were probably guilty of going through the motions in the final period and a number of turnovers by both sides kept the scoring down. Vilkys added another ten to his game high total of 34 and the game wound down to its predictable conclusion. Jutes scored the final two baskets to close the gap to 17 but the Gladiators finished the game as Division champions, clinching promotion to the top division for the 2014-15 season.

The Gladiators’ next game is away at bottom team Forest Heath Harriers and their final two games, both at home at Colchester Academy Sports Centre on Wednesday March 12^th, the rearranged game against Bury Bulldogs, and on Wednesday March 19^th, against Leiston Lynx.

League Table:

The Gladiators ladies team are also training and hoping to have a couple more games before the end of the season. They are still looking for more players so if you want to join at the start of something exciting, contact the Gladiators through their website at www.colchestergladiators.com or email basketball@colchestergladiators.org.uk.

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