Basketball: Jets beat Wolves in big top-of-the-table clash

Pirates defeat Hoops in big battle at the bottom

Jets have taken another major scalp in their ongoing, undefeated Isle of Man basketball campaign with a win over their closest top-of-the-table rivals during the latest local fixtures at the NSC in Douglas.

The league leaders made a good early start count as they went on to claim a comprehensive 90-48 win over second-placed Wolves, taking Jets' winning run to 12 matches.

Elsewhere during the latest matches, Pirates secured an important 77-50 win over Hoops in an important battle at the bottom of the division.

There was also a thrilling encounter between Cannons Elite and Cavaliers in which the former snatched victory by just one point in an entertaining showdown.

Report by Isle of Man Basketball:

Wolves 48-90 Jets

The Jets laid the platform with a strong first half and powered to a convincing 90–48 win over Wolves. 

After a competitive opening quarter (21–16 Jets), the visitors widened the gap with a 20–7 second quarter, then put the game out of reach in Q3 (26–7) before closing out with 23–18 in the fourth.

Jets finished with 39 field goals made (38 × 2PT, 1 × 3PT) and hit 11/16 free throws, committing nine personal fouls. 

Wolves recorded 18 field goals made (12 × 2PT, 6 × 3PT) and went 6/8 at the line, with 13 fouls.

Thomas Crosbie led the Jets with 29 points (10 × 2PT, 9/10 FT), supported by Wayne Mears on 20 (10 × 2PT) and Matt Jennings with 16 (8 × 2PT). 

For Wolves, Viktor Capkanovski top-scored with 23 (6 × 2PT, 3 × 3PT), while Cameron Scott added 10.

Cannons Elite 75-74 Cavaliers

Cavaliers squeaked past Cannons Elite 75–74 in the tightest contest of the round. 

Cavaliers started quickly to lead 23–20 after Q1, the teams matched each other in Q2 (13–13), and Cavaliers maintained the narrow advantage in Q3 (21–19) before Cannons won the final quarter 22–18—just falling short of the comeback.

Cannons made 24 field goals (11 × 2PT, 13 × 3PT) and converted 13/19 free throws, with 15 personal fouls. 

Cavaliers posted 27 field goals (16 × 2PT, 11 × 3PT) and finished 10/14 at the line, committing 14 fouls.

Dave Minay led Cavaliers with 29 points (8 × 2PT, 3 × 3PT, 4/5 FT), while Chris Wolfendale poured in 26 (2 × 2PT, 6 × 3PT, 4/6 FT). 

Cannons were paced by Rowan Coulter with 20 (3 × 2PT, 4 × 3PT, 2/2 FT) and Gabe Thatcher with 19 (2 × 2PT, 5 × 3PT).

Hoops 50-77 Pirates

Pirates finished strongly to beat Hoops 77–50, using a decisive 25–6 fourth quarter to pull away. 

Pirates led 22–12 after the first, Hoops responded with a strong second quarter (21 points) to tighten things at half-time, but Pirates regained control in Q3 (16–11) before closing emphatically.

Hoops recorded 20 field goals made (15 × 2PT, 5 × 3PT) and went 5/8 from the line, committing 14 fouls. 

Pirates finished with 32 field goals (28 × 2PT, 4 × 3PT) and 9/17 free throws, with eight personal fouls.

Pirates’ scoring was led by John Russell with 20 points (9 × 2PT, 2/3 FT) and Neil Domingo with 15 (6 × 2PT, 3/3 FT). 

Hoops had three players reach double figures: Danielle Murphy (10), Mairi Harrison (10), and Oksana Fedorovych (10).

The latest Isle of Man Basketball matches are due to take place tonight (19 February) at the NSC in Douglas.

Opening this evening's action will be Cavaliers vs Hoops at 7pm followed by both Phoenix vs Pirates and Jets vs Cannons at 8.30pm.