Senior Men Scottish Cup Basketball Quarter-Final

AYRSHIRE TORNADOES 95

CITY OF EDINBURGH KINGS 76

DALRY Primary School hosted the showdown between the Scottish Division Two hosts and Kings, who currently sit top of Division One with an unbeaten record. Tornadoes came into the game as big underdogs, facing the task of trying to defeat the current cup holders.

Quarter One started nervously for the hosts, with easy shots not falling, allowing Kings open up an early lead. Craig McIntyre and Craig Moffat started to find their game offensively, with McIntyre making some big plays which settled Tornadoes. Despite this, Kings led 23-16 at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter saw Ayrshire starting to find their feet, with McIntyre taking over the game with notable contributions from Moffat and point guard Robb Laughlin. The defence played by the home side was massively improved, winning the quarter by 10 and taking a 42-39 lead into half- time.

Quarter three started poorly as Kings opened with two easy baskets which in past seasons would likely have unsettled the home side, but this time Tornadoes held their nerve. Fuelled again by defence, Tornadoes were able to limit Kings and continue to score the ball, with Moffat and Laughlin running the show offensively. Kings managed to win the quarter, and entered the final period with a 61-59 lead.

The final period can only be described as the best quarter this young team has ever played. Again, McIntyre set the tone with some massive plays on both ends, teaming with Jordan Thomson to deny Kings' 6ft 10in centre at the basket. Guard Sam Jack scored four times from three-point range whilst scoring all 15 of his points in this quarter. With Jack, Moffat, McIntyre, Thomson and Laughlin all hitting from three point distance, in what was described on the day as a “flurry of threes”, Tornadoes dominated, won the quarter by 21 and secured their place in the semi-final, with a chance to play in the Scottish Cup final for the first time since 2008.

Ayrshire Tornadoes: Sam Jack (15 points), Robb Loughlin (15), Adam Jack (2, captain), Calum McGarvie (2), Craig Moffat (24), James Corbett, Jordan Thomson (8), Craig McIntyre (29), Harvie Baker-Flanagan, Struan Hall.

It was a great advertisement for basketball in Ayrshire as, all players in the squad are from the county.

"Credit to all the players and coach David Saunders. Finally I would like to the thank all the fans and kids that came to support, hopefully this inspires the kids who came along. If anyone is interested in the youth program don’t hesitate to contact the club," said Youth Development Officer and Senior Men's player, Jordan Thomson.

Tornadoes take on St Mirren in the semi-final on Wednesday, December, 6, 8.30pm tip-off at Dalry Primary. It’s the clubs biggest game in a decade and they hope for a big support to rally them.