Valmeira, Latvia – Myerscough’s third season in the European Youth Basketball League got underway this past weekend as the Preston-based academy faced off against teams from Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.
The academy-side would claim third place out of the eight teams in attendance with a 3-2 record across its five games with convincing wins over Haga BG Dolphins, KFUM CB and Bracknell Cobras BC. However, losses against JBA Gradia and RIG Lulea who finished 1st and 2nd respectively with perfect 5-0 records would stop Myerscough from winning the stage like they did back in March 2020 when they were last on European soil.
Friday 23rd September
Game 1 | Myerscough BA 68 – 30 Haga BG Dolphins (Sweden)
(20-9, 13-2, 14-7, 21-12)
Myerscough started the stage with clear intent and dominated Haga in every statistical category on their way to a convincing win, that saw every player feature on the scoresheet. The biggest difference was in the physicality of Myerscough who out-rebounded their opponents 52-23 and convert the gap to the tune of 20 second chance points.
Top Scorers: Denilson Caschili set the tone for Myerscough with a game-high 14pts, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and was supported by Emmanuel Yeboah’s 11pts and Daniel Nwauzu’s near double-double of 8pts and 7 rebounds. Despite struggling offensively, Haga was led by Alfred Sahlberg’s 10pts.
Game 2 | Myerscough BA 54 – 77 RIG Lulea (Sweden)
(16-15, 18-18, 9-23, 11-21)
Myerscough were unable to follow up their strong morning performance and secure a second win on the opening day of the tournament as a second half collapse saw them disappointingly fall against familiar EYBL opponents Lulea who were led by 52pts from their bench. Myerscough found themselves on the receiving end of being outrebounded, which proved costly as they were outscored on points in the paint and second chance.
Top Scorers: Denilson Caschili valiantly battled to keep Myerscough in the game with another game-high tally of 18pts with Euan Birch providing further resistance with 15pts of his own. However, Felix Smedjeback 17pts lead four players in double figures which was enough to seal the win.
Saturday 24th September
Game 3 | Myerscough BA 73 – 43 KFUM CB (Sweden)
(25-11, 12-10, 21-8, 15-14)
Myerscough had a yo-yo performance throughout the game as they secured their second win of the stage. Both the first and third quarters proved decisive as Sco outscored KFUM 46-19 and led by as many as 33pts. Myerscough turned 21, forced turnovers into 31pts and saw its bench outscore KFUM 41-9 as they led from start to finish to improve to 2-1.
Top Scorers: Emmanuel Yeboah (17pts) and Euan Birch (17pts) combined for 34pts and connected on 60% of their outside shots for Myerscough whilst Aaron Bile contributed 9pts and Denilson Caschili added 6pts and 9 rebounds. Liam Zeljkovic top scored for KFUM with 15pts.
Game 4 | Myerscough BA 55 – 78 JBA Gradia (Finland)
(21-18, 16-18, 12-24, 6-18)
Myerscough’s record dropped to 2-2 as the second game in a day blues sunk in again as JBA Gradia pulled away in the second half to separate themselves and subsequently put themselves in pole position to win the stage. Myerscough found themselves ahead at the half but came unstuck in the third quarter as consecutive turnovers allowed the Finnish team to break out in transition. Gradia continued to apply pressure throughout the game to close out with a win.
Top Scorers: Euan Birch and Emmanuel Yeboah had 13pts and 11pts respectively whilst Daniel Azancot and Denilson Caschili combined for a further 14pts. Eino Montin had a game-high 23pts for JBA Gradia whilst Oliver Kanden followed up with 14pts of his own.
Sunday 25th September
Game 5 | Myerscough BA 96 – 44 Bracknell Cobras BC (United Kingdom)
(24-13, 36-18, 16-2, 20-11)
In the battle of the Brits, Euan Birch hit a three off the opening tip and this would set the tone for one of Myerscough’s biggest wins since joining the competition back in 2018. Sco would lead by as many as 53pts and hit a staggering 22 three-pointers as they literally shot the lights out against to ensure they finished the stage with a positive 3-2 record.
Top Scorers: The backcourt duo of Denilson Caschili (22pts) and Euan Birch (19pts) combined for 41pts with a total of 11-made threes whilst Mandre Costa (12pts), Daniel Azancot (12pts) and Emmanuel Yeboah (11pts) all got in on the action. Myers Amoo-Gottfried finished with 19pts, with 15 coming in the first half, whereas Gabe Romero Sanz adding 9pts.
Myerscough now looks ahead to the start of the domestic season as they host Nottingham Trent University in NBL Division 2 action this Sunday, 2nd October at 4pm.
Whereas, the next EYBL stage is Dec. 15-18 in Riga, Latvia where Myerscough will face off against North Atlantic BA, BS Riga, BS Ridzene, Reinar Halliku Korvpallikool and either BC London United or BVBS.