Riga, Latvia – Myerscough’s third season in the European Youth Basketball League continued this past weekend as the Preston-based academy faced off against teams from Latvia, Estonia and Ireland.
The academy-side would claim second place out of the eight teams in attendance with a 4-1 record across its five games with convincing wins over NABA/LKS KM, BS Ridzene, Reinar Halliku Korvpallikool and BVBS. The lone loss came in a 71-72 game against BS RIGA/LU who were crowned overall winners of the stage.
Friday 16th December
Game 1 | Myerscough BA 57 – 39 NABA/LKS KM (Ireland/Spain)
(17-7, 23-2, 9-14, 8-16)
Myerscough started Stage II with a clear intent as a strong first half display (40-9) powered them to their first win of the stage. Myerscough outscored NABA 40-8 in points in the paint and 14-0 in fast break points whilst seeing its bench added a valuable 24 points.
Top Scorers: Denilson Caschili led a balanced offensive display for Myerscough with 10 points whilst Stephen Asante had 6 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Dayvantia Campbell-Deeble and Dan Davies also contributed 6 points each.
NABA were led by 11 points from both Michele Piermattei and Victor Okojie.
Game 2 | Myerscough BA 69 – 35 BS Ridzene (Latvia)
(18-10, 14-11, 15-3, 22-11)
Myerscough made it two from two on the opening day with a comfortable win over local team BS Ridzene. After trailing early Myerscough used a 14-0 run spanning the first and second quarters to break the game open and lead 32-21 at halftime. Myerscough continued to apply the pressure in the second half and defensively held their opponents to just 14 points whilst pouring in 37 of their own. Myerscough once again dominated in points in the paint with 44 to Ridzene’s 12.
Top Scorers: Dayvantia Campbell-Deeble led the way with 13 points and 9 rebounds on a perfect 6/6 field goals coming off the bench. Peter Asante added 13 points whilst Dan Davies added 13 points and 7 rebounds. Stephen Asante once again did a little bit of everything with 7 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
Saturday 17th December
Game 3 | Myerscough 59 – 43 BA Reinar Halliku Korvpallikool (Estonia)
(20-19, 16-9, 10-11, 13-4)
Myerscough outscored their opponents 30-16 in the paint and turned 18 offensive rebounds into 17 second chance points as they claimed their third win of the stage. Defense was once again crucial as Myerscough held their opponents to just 15 second half points, only 4 in the final quarter as they doubled their halftime advantage to claim the victory.
Top Scorers: Peter Asante led Myerscough with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists whilst Euan Birch and Dan Davies added 13 and 12 points respectively.
Mykhail Kutcheriayvi was the only player in double figures for Reinar with 11 points. Kardo Kirk added 9 points and 6 rebounds in support.
Game 4 | Myerscough BA 71 – 72 BS Riga/LU (Latvia) – Overtime
(19-9, 6-13, 25-16, 13-25, 8-9)
Myerscough would suffer heartbreak as they fell to their first loss of the stage in a game where they lead by as many as 14 points. Turnovers would prove costly as BS Riga were able to capitalise on Myerscough’s misfortune by scoring 22 points off the 21 turnovers. BS Riga closed the fourth quarter on a 10-0 run to tie the game and force the extra period
Top Scorers: Euan Birch had 17 points on 6-10 FG and Denilson Caschili had 17 points on 5-9 FG to pace Myerscough College. Dayvantia Campell-Deeble would support with 14 points and 8 rebounds.
Markuss Mamajs would have a game-high 19 points off the bench for BS Riga/LU whilst Davis Skreivers and Edvards Egle would contribute 11 and 10 points respectfully.
Sunday 18th December
Game 5 | Myerscough BA 79 –50 BVBS (Latvia)
(21-12, 21-17, 12-8, 25-13)
Myerscough bounced back from their narrow loss in convincing fashion as they dispatched BVBS in a game they led for all but 38 seconds. Myerscough outscored their opponents by 18 points in the paint and saw everyone get on the scoresheet as their bench provided valuable contributions that helped build their 29-point lead.
Top Scorers: Peter Asante led Myerscough with his performance of the tournament as the guard had a game-high 16 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals. Euan Birch was in double figures again with 11 points whilst Dayvantia Campbell-Deeble continued to be a spark off the bench with 10 points on 4/6 FG.
Ricards Nils Liberts top scored for BVBS with 13 points, Markuss Zarins had 12 and both Edvards Leoke and Karlis Baskis contributed 10 points each.
Myerscough now enters the Christmas break before NBL and academy EABL action returns in January. They are next on European soil when they travel to Tallinn, Estonia for Stage III of the EYBL in February 2023 where they look to build on their momentum from the current stage in search of a place in the 2023 SuperFinal.
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