Joseph Baugh leads Linbraze Arrows to victory

Derbyshire Arrows v Solent Kestrels (blue), Joseph Baugh

They produced a magnificent and committed display of basketball with good performances across the board for the Arrows.

They were led again by Joseph Baugh (24 points), who led the team in both scoring and rebounding and blocked shots.

He was well supported by a rejuvenated cast with Aaron Moseley (20 points), Paul Heymann (14 points) and Jonny Broodie (13 points) who constantly threatened the NASSA defence.

Delighted Arrows coach Jonny Kelly said: “Last week we lacked fluency and snatched a win in London with a last second shot in a low scoring and scrappy game. “While here we were at it throughout wining all four quarters narrowly for a great victory.

“Everyone made a contribution to get the job done in front of our home supporters from leader Joseph Baugh to James Cusack making a return to the Arrows some 16 years after his debut”.

The Arrows began strongly with Joseph Baugh scoring nine points in the opening quarter and Jonny Broodie adding a three-pointer to give the Arrows a slender 15-14 advantage by the close.

The second quarter was a very exciting affair as Nephtali Nembhard connected on consecutive breakaways while Aaron Moseley contributed two impressive dunks from quick steals.

However despite James Kelly adding a couple of free throws the Arrows could not shake off NASSA for whom Andre Sempala added 12 points.

The Arrows reached the interval ahead by 38-36 in a very tightly contested game.

The Arrows began the third quarter by returning to the players, who had started the game and once again Joseph Baugh added another nine points while Paul Heymann impressed with a string of tough finishes and more importantly the shackling of point guard Lukas Volskiss.

By the end of a very entertaining quarter the Arrows had established a lead at 62-56.

The Arrows snatched the initiative at the start of the final quarter as a smart basket by Paul Heymann was added to consecutive three pointers from first Joseph Baugh then Aaron Moseley.

This gave the Arrows a slight advantage that was to prove decisive in deciding the outcome of the game.

Joseph Baugh was now blocking numerous NASSA attempts at the rim while Jonny Broodie helped match any baskets that NASSA did manage from range.

It was tight throughout but the Arrows held their nerve as Luke Parker iced the game from the free throw line to give the Arrows an 87-77 victory.