Reading Rockets claim National Cup
Reading Rockets claimed their first National Cup since 2013/14 as they beat Hemel Storm 108-83 on Sunday afternoon at the NBPC in Manchester.
Reading were good value for their win with their lead hovering around the 20-point park for much of the second half as they cruised to victory, avenging their finals loss last year to Milton Keynes Breakers.
The MVP crown went to Reading’s Justin Hopkins, who scored the first eight points for his side before finishing with a game-high 30 total, adding five rebounds and a pair of steals to a memorable performance.
“It feels great, it’s been a long time coming,” Reading Rockets’ Head cCoach Samit Nuruzade said after the game.
“This great club of ours, Reading Rockets, we are very successful club, and we’ve been in the wrong end of the finals but this time we did well.”
Mitch Clarke put together a stunning triple-double performance of 14 point, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. with Victor Olarerin adding 20 points off the bench, and Lewis Champion adding 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Timely three-point shooting and making tough baskets when it mattered allowed Coach Nuruzade’s side to pass the century mark on offence, but Reading’s defence kept Hemel well short of their D1M average of 95.8PPG, forcing Storm into difficult looks and too many empty trips down the floor on offence.
In what was a chippy and physical game with multiple technical fouls called, Reading would eventually win all four quarters, ending their 11-year wait for silverware in the process.
Hemel went uncharacteristically cold in Manchester, a venue in which they’ve thrived so often in the past, with Trent Monkman leading their scoring in defeat with 23 points.
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