South East Premier LeagueIpswich Tomcats 68 Essex & Herts Leopards 77The Ipswich Tomcats Under-18s are still searching for their first league win of the season as once again they were made to pay for foul trouble in the final quarter.

South East Premier League

Ipswich Tomcats 68 Essex & Herts Leopards 77

The Ipswich Tomcats Under-18s are still searching for their first league win of the season as once again they were made to pay for foul trouble in the final quarter.

The arrival of local rivals Essex & Herts Leopards gave spectators the chance to watch two of the country's top young centres, Leigh Greenan and Nathan Wilson, go head to head.

The first quarter opened up with Leopard's Wilson scoring two swift three-pointers, demonstrating he could be a threat from all over the floor.

Wilson went on to score 18 of the Leopard's 23 points in the first quarter, however, Jacob Swift kept things ticking over for Ipswich on offence, scoring six of his 15 points in the first quarter.

Robert Scott, who has struggled with his shooting so far this season, managed to find his rhythm, as he connected with his first shot from behind the arc to add three points to Ipswich's total.

Towards the end of the opening quarter Ipswich's Greenan was in foul trouble and had to leave the court as the period finished 23-17 to Leopards.

The second quarter saw the explosive return of Michael Holbrook to the Ipswich side after a recent ankle injury. Holbrook used his size and athleticism to net two offensive rebounds and put-backs.

With Greenan back on court also, the fellow Barking Abbey students linked up well, with Greenan assisting another two points for Holbrook.

Swift was also scoring from both the field and the foul line, while Scott really found his feet in the second quarter, hitting a further two three-pointers in a nine point half.

Ipswich won the second quarter 23-12 as Wilson went scoreless, however persistent fouls were starting to creep into Ipswich's game.

The Tomcats soon extended their five-point lead after half time when Holbrook made a big dunk on the fast break, soon followed by a three point play.

Greenan and Wilson then exchanged baskets throughout the quarter as, despite losing the quarter 17-18, Ipswich maintained their overall lead going into the final period.

Early in the last quarter, Ipswich became unsettled as Essex made a number of unanswered baskets.

When Greenan, Holbrook and Fairs all fouled out, Ipswich were left with no size to match up on Wilson and, despite a huge dunk by Aaron Moseley and a big pull-up three by Brad Potter, Ipswich lost the quarter 11-24 and the game 68-77.

Assistant coach Matt Harber said: “If it wasn't for the cheap fouls, we would have won this game because I thought we played some of the best team basketball we have ever played.

“Burt (Robert) Scott and Michael Holbrook really shone for me. Burt finally found his shooting arm and connected 33% of his three pointers, while Michael played with composure and confidence for a young man who has overcome so much.

“We are so desperately unlucky to be holding a 0-4 record at this stage of the season, but I believe one win will get a fire in all of the squad's bellies and will result in many more.”

Ipswich scorers: Greenan 15, Swift 15, Scott 13, Holbrook 13, Moseley 8, Fairs 4, Potter 3.