READING ROCKETS raced to an impressive win to return to winning ways against Oakland Wolves.
Buoyed by the return of Tyler Cartaino and the great energy of Rivermead’s lively crowd, put together a dominant performance across all four quarters on their way to a resounding 112-76 victory.
Setting the tone for the whole game, first blood was drawn by the Rockets by virtue of a Cartaino mid-range bucket on the opening play.
Early turnovers by the Wolves allowed the Rockets to rattle off a 6-0 lead before a Jonathan James layup gave Oaklands their first points.
Despite struggling from three, the Rockets continued to work their way inside to generate free throws and layups, with Lewis Champion firing an outlet pass over the defense to assist Reis Pinnock before scoring two of his own off of an offensive rebound.
He turned provider again to give Cartaino a runway on a fastbreak, pushing the Rockets’ lead to nine as the quarter drew to a close.
Sam Toluwase produced four points through free throws and a well-worked hook shot after carving out space on the block, and Ben Dixon gave the Rockets their first three of the night as the quarter ended to put the Rockets up 26-14 going into the second.
The second quarter opened similarly to the first, with the Wolves mirroring the Rockets’ interior scoring and both teams committing turnovers.
A Cartaino three pushed the lead to a commanding 38-19, forcing a timeout from the Wolves halfway through the second.
Both teams continued to feast on the offensive boards but it was the Wolves who profited first as Veiz Cani hauled down the ball and was fouled by Meshack, hitting the two resulting free throws. Looking to build momentum, Oaklands promptly hit a three courtesy of James but their offense was soon stymied by Reading’s defense both in the halfcourt and in transition.
Ben Dixon was next to enjoy a small scoring spree, putting up eight points in a minute-and-a-half to increase Reading’s advantage before Ashley Kitchen hit a three with the last play of the quarter to give Reading a remarkable 57-32 lead at halftime.
The early exchanges of the third quarter laid waste to any hopes of a comeback, as Sam T hit a three just seconds into the quarter and quickly followed it with an easy two inside.
Rockets’ dominant lead held strong thanks to continued attacks inside.
The baskets began to flow more freely as the quarter closed, with both teams enjoying trips to the line and accurate jump-shooting which ran up the score to the tune of an 84-55 advantage for Reading.
Cartaino, clearly enjoying being back on the floor with his teammates, was in no mood to ease up in the closing minutes and he put up five more points late before handing the reigns back to the Rocket’s cast of young players, as Kitchen, Oguekwe and Isaac Round produced the Rocket’s final baskets to finish the game with a brilliant 112-76 victory.
By Jamie King
