Hemel Storm will return to a packed-out StormDome to take on Loughborough Riders on Saturday evening, as they look to recover from only their second league defeat of the campaign in Essex last weekend.
Both blemishes have come in the space of the last three weeks, no doubt a concern as the season enters its crucial stretch, but they were let off the hook in their title charge as challengers Reading also slipped up in Derby. Mark Clark’s men were also depleted, with Matt Ellis still ruled out due to concussion and Joe Bielak sidelined by an arm injury.
There were positives still to be taken, namely in the performance of Hakeem Sylla. It was his most influential display since returning from the serious knee injury that ended his 2023/24 season prematurely and stopped him from featuring in the first part of this campaign; his 21 points bound to be of great encouragement to the team. If he can find something near his best form for the season run-in, that would come as a massive boost to their roster and help to relieve some of the workload on Darien Nelson-Henry.
On the whole, however, they were sloppy in defeat at Essex and defensive lapses at important junctures cost them. They’ll need to improve in order to get the better of a Loughborough side fighting for a place in the top four.
It’ll be the third seasonal meeting of the sides, with Storm coming out on top on both previous occasions. The last time, at Loughborough University back in October, it was an inspired performance from Tra’Michael Moton that propelled them to a 75-85 victory, and in the first meeting in the KitKing Trophy quarter-final, Sam Newman’s triple-double saw them claim a 95-82 win.
The Riders have faced some tricky fixtures of late and have lost their last three. They had a blank weekend most recently, but their last appearance on the court saw them fall to a narrow one-point defeat at the hands of Reading Rockets, showing their capability to battle with the top teams in the division.
Victor Ndoukou is their biggest threat, leading the team in points, rebounds, efficiency, average minutes played and shooting percentages all across the floor. He had 31 points in the KitKing matchup earlier this season so Storm know all-too-well the trouble the big man can cause.
Elsewhere, they have American guard Michael Joiner, who arrived from Virginia at the start of the campaign, and experienced German-born Justin Hedley.
A win for the side from Hemel will take them two away from the title with four still to play, and they’ll be keen to seal the deal on that front as soon as possible so that all eyes can turn to the playoffs.
Tickets are available via the Fanbase app. It looks like a busy one so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!
Hemel Storm Women’s team will be playing Ipswich before the men’s game, tip off at 4pm. Entrance for this game is free so come along and support the ladies!
Written by Callum Humphrey