Wolves top of the tree at Christmas

Oaklands Wolves go into the British Super League Basketball Christmas break with the only unbeaten record after winning 79-72 in their top-of-the-table clash at Sheffield Hatters, on Saturday.

Both sides went into the game with perfect 5-0 records but a dominant first half paved the way for Lee Ryan's team to take what could be a pivotal victory in the chase to win the inauguaral SLB regular season title.

Despite his sides going into Christmas top of the table, Ryan isn't taking anything for granted: "two undefeated championship teams was always billed as a showdown, but for us it was a chance to measure ourselves at this stage in the season" he said.

"Our early dominate performance even surprised ourselves a little, Sheffield came back gradually, that's to be expected with a club of their experience and stature. It was good to see us control the majority of the game, and have all player contribute to the win.

"Having the only remaining undefeated record in Super League Basketball at the Christmas break is amazing. I get to see the character and quality in these players daily, so for me its not a shock that we sit on top. We are heading in a good direction and really enjoying the season, however our focus remains on the next game only."

Tay McGee-Pleasant led a balanced Wolves' offence with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Sam Ashby had 12 points and four boards while Danni McCray and and Lavinia Da Silva each had 11 points, adding seven and four rebounds respectively. Ella Fotu came off the bench to finish with ten points and four boards while captain Shanice Beckford-Norton had nine points, six rebounds and three assists.

Ashby got Wolves off the mark, and a pair of Beckford-Norton free-throws followed by two at the line from Ashby saw the visitors race into a 15-7 lead after five minutes, and Abigail Rafferty's driving lay-up sent the visitors into the first beak with a 24-18 lead.

Fotu opened the second period scoring to launch an 8-0 Wolves' run and they dominated the early stages of the quarter as Da Silva took the lead out to 21 with just over five minutes gone before Ashby sent them into the locker room with a 49-34 lead.

Murray opened the second scoring, but Wolves found the going tough in the third period as Hatters chipped away at the lead and E Gandini made it an eight point game before scores from Beckford-Norton and Da Silva calmed their nerves and Fotu's lay-up sent Wolves into the final break with a 63-52 lead.

Back-to-back Fotu baskets followed by a McCray put-back gave Wolves a 17 point lead with three minutes gone and Wolves comfortably closed out the victory.

Wolves U-16 boys also had a successful day as they won 100-86 at Ipswich to go into Christmas sitting second in NBL Premier East.

Led by a 28 point, ten rebound double-double from Noah Binum, Michael Ball's side produced a dominant third period performance to record their eighth win in 12 games..

A high scoring first period saw Ipswich take a 32-26 lead before the visitors go going in the second period to tie the game at 48 going into the locker room at half-time. Michael Ball's team continued that form in the third period as Ipswich were outscored 35-14 and there was no way back for the Suffolk side as Wolves wrapped up the victory.

Liam Schertel finished with 19 points and seven rebounds while Ethan Chung had 13 points, five rebounds and three steals. Otis Lau-Johnston also finished with 13 points, adding seven assists, six boards and as many steals.