Hemel Storm will hope to build on their weekend victory over Bristol Hurricanes as they tackle the Trailblazers this Saturday. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the trip to Derby…
Head-to-Head Record:
Games played: 10
Storm wins: 7
Trailblazers wins: 3
*All competitions, since start of 2021/22 season.
British Championship Basketball League Positions:
Storm: 10th
Trailblazers: 8th
Opposition Scout Report:
The Blazers have had a mixed start to the campaign, knocked out of the BCB Trophy at the group stage and on the wrong side of a couple of close ones to fall to a 3-2 record in the league.
Evan Oliver was their main recruit in a busy summer which saw them lose Malcolm Smith to Newcastle Eagles, with the California graduate making a good early impression in Derby. The 6’0” guard has averaged 25 points across his four league games so far and also recorded a record-breaking 12 steals in just 25 minutes of their trophy opener against Bristol Flyers II.
Their other overseas signing is Detroit-born wing Harlond Beverley Jr., while Leicester Riders veteran Conor Washington made the step down from the SLB to join Derby.
Raheem May-Thompson is in his fifth year at the club and is their second leading scorer with 16.6 points per game, and another ex-Rider, Mo Walker, is back with the Blazers for a second season. The battle between the 6’10” centre and former teammate Darien Nelson-Henry will again be fascinating.
Another experienced big man in Rob Marsden has also been retained and captains the side, and young guard Jai Pathmarajah will hope to continue his development at the club this season.
Memorable Meeting:
Saturday 2nd October, 2022
NBL Division One Playoff Quarter-Final
Derby Trailblazers 90-91 Hemel Storm (OT)
A Bode Adeluola buzzer beater forced the overtime period in which Storm were able to defeat the Trailblazers and claim their spot in the semi-finals of the 2021/22 NBL Division One Playoffs.
The tie swung back and forth, with Storm surrendering a 14-point lead, and they trailed by three with time fast elapsing in the fourth period. With three seconds on the clock, head coach Dru Spinks drew up the play to find Adeluola, in his tenth season at the club, in the corner.
His three-point effort hit the rim, looped into the air for what felt like a lifetime, and then miraculously fell through the hoop to force the extra five minutes. Captain Tayo Oyefusi then connected with a pair of long-range attempts as his side upset third-placed Trailblazers to bag a semi-final showdown with Thames Valley Cavaliers.
They won that but fell agonisingly short for the second year in a row against Team Solent Kestrels in the final.
Last Time Out:
Hemel Storm returned to winning ways with an 83-75 victory over Bristol Hurricanes on Saturday evening.
It was their first appearance at the StormDome in five weeks, and it was also a first homecoming for Taylor Johnson since he re-signed for a third spell at the club. He marked it with a 30-point showing and it played a big part in helping his team break a three-game losing streak and claim their second league win of the campaign.
Matt Norman also had 21 and Sam Newman had 15 assists as the hosts controlled the majority of proceedings, overcoming some late nerves to seal an eight-point triumph.
A big final quarter helped the Trailblazers overcome bottom-placed Bristol Flyers II. The midlands side won the fourth period by 13 to secure a 10-point, 88-78 win, despite the absence of both Oliver and Beverley Jr.
Pathmarajah led all scorers with 27 and Walker had 24 off the bench. May-Thompson grabbed 17, while Marsden had a 10-point double-double.
From The Locker Room:
Jovan Rai: “It was a solid team win for us on Saturday and it felt great being back home with the fans behind us.
“We’re hoping to build on that energy and momentum this weekend against Derby.”
When, Where and How to Follow:
The game will be played at ‘The Wig’, Clarence Wiggins Sports Centre, DE24 0BR, and tip-off is scheduled for 7.30pm. Tickets are available to buy here.
Alternatively, you can follow along by watching the livestream on the BCB YouTube channel or keeping track of the livestats.
Written by Callum Humphrey
Photos by TGD Visuals