Blackpool Basketball Club back to winning ways

ff After a disappointing 63-54 loss to Tameside, Blackpool Basketball Club got back on track in the National Legue with an 86-51 victory over York Vikings at Blackpool Sixth Form College.

The last time these teams met in North Division Four Blackpool won by a nine-point margin and another hard-fought encounter was expected.

Blackpool were without Chris Pangan, Harry Parr and Greg Whittaker, though there was a fourth appearance of the season for Danny Edwards and a sixth for Rhys Young.

Blackpool’s offence started strongly after a less effective showing against Tameside and Chris Hodkin opened the game with three three-pointers.

York hit back with six quick points of their own but Blackpool turned defence into attack to end the first quarter with a lead of 26-13 after a 17-5 run .

They carried on where they had left off to start the second quarter with eight unanswered points, forcing York into a timeout three minutes in. York responded with a 13-2 run to force their way back into the game only for five points by Aitor Estrada at the end of the half to give Blackpool a 43-32 cushion.

The visitors started the second half well, keeping Blackpool scoreless for three minutes and cutting their lead.

However, the home side adjusted defensively, raised the intensity and forced turnovers, Estrada benefitting with another six points.

More three-point plays by Rhys Young and Hodkin, after a well-executed screen from Mark Cowell, sent Blackpool into the final quarter 61-43 ahead.

The home defence was outstanding in the final 10 minutes, forcing multiple shot clock violations and restricting York to just eight points.

At the other end the dominant Cowell was scoring at will, including a long three-point shot to close out a lopsided contest.

Hodkin top-scored with 24 points, including five rebounds and five assists.

Mark Cowell finished with 15 points, six rebounds and three assists, while Young and Estrada added 12 points each.

With just five games left before the play-offs, Blackpool head to Barrow this Sunday.