WARWICKSHIRE Bears sides began the new year on a high as the 2nds and 3rds saw off Aces 2nds and Leicester Cobras 2nds respectively in the British Wheelchair Basketball League on Sunday.
Bears 2nds were up against Aces 2nds for the first time this season and Bears 3rds hosted Cobras 2nds following a narrow win against the same opposition before the Christmas break.
Bears 2nds made a great start to their Division Two South encounter as they surged into an early lead with coach Daz Peasley leading the charge to the opposing basket.
The Bears played a tough defence to limit the Aces in their half and finish the quarter with a 14-6 lead.
Peasley introduced Aaron Grant, who once again impressed by helping the hosts pull further ahead and lead 27-12 at the halfway stage.
The Bears ramped up the pace of their defence in the third quarter, with Grant making great inroads at the Aces basket and Theo Pilkington making a number of fast break baskets to help the home side establish a 47-21 advantage heading into the final quarter.
Ellen Fraser made her second team debut in the final quarter and the hosts also had women’s team captain Aimee Lane in fine form as they closed out a comfortable 63-25 success.
Coach Peasley said: “It was great to start the new year with a win and I’m pleased we played so well that we were able to get some minutes for our impressive juniors Aaron and Ellen.
“It shows the ethos of this club with pushing our juniors and giving them the opportunity to play at higher levels.
BEARS 3rds had started the day in fine style for the club with a 58-23 win over Cobras 2nds in Division Three Central.
The Bears side comprised a number of junior and women’s team players whose experience aided in the maintaining of a comfortable lead throughout the game.
With all the players earning their place on the scoresheet, the game turned out to be an impressive opener to 2019.
Coach Dan Smith said: “It was a great team performance from all. Jack Sheehy scored some great baskets and also returning was Liz Grinnell who played her first game since surgery.”
The Bears are next in action when the 2nds travel to Thames Valley on Saturday to take on the other unbeaten team in their division in a top of the table clash.
