TEAM Solent Kestrels improved to 8-1 at the summit of NBL Division One on Saturday evening as they thrashed Barking Abbey London Lions 115-62, writes Jack O'Keeffe.

Despite a spirited performance from a young Lions side, Kestrels controlled proceedings to take a convincing victory.

The visitors started well through Jase Harrison, who scored seven of his side's first nine points on the night, however it was Cole Gentry who would make back to back threes for TSK to his side ahead.

Kemel Archer came off the bench midway through the first to give Kestrels a real lift in energy as he scored five straight including a dunk off a nice assist from Orlan Jackman.

The hosts closed the quarter on a 13-2 run which ballooned the lead to 16, 29-13.

Lions American Elijah Maynard connected on a difficult three-point attempt to open the second but would be matched by TSK’s instant offence machine off the bench, Elliott Sentance, who made one of his own.

The sides traded baskets across the mid point of the quarter as Elliot Dadds and Andre Arissol found their touch from beyond the arc, and BA youngster Ignas Juskevicius scored well inside for the visitors. In the same fashion as the first quarter, Kestrels closed out the half with another impressive scoring run, this time to the tune of 14-1 and would be capped off by a Chris Scarlett triple, 54-24 TSK at the break.

Kestrels briefly pushed the lead to 33 early on in the third as Arissol and Gentry continued their fine form distance but Lions big man Juskeviscius replied with another lay up of his own.

Max Richardson scored five straight to increase the lead to 37, but BA replied through Denilson Cashili. Jackman would eventually push the arrears into the 40s with a triple and despite a short Barking scoring run, Arissol ensured the lead stayed at 40 to close the quarter, 86-46.

Arissol put on a scoring clinic to open the final period as he scored seven quick points and he was backed up by Richardson who again scored five straight to pushed the gap to 50.

Lions responded through Peter Asante and Harrison but Kemel Archer scored inside twice to cancel that out.

The final minutes saw both sides trade baskets, including Itchen Academy prospect Damilare Adedeji’s first NBL Division One action, Kestrels closing the game out 115-62 winners.

Kestrels play caller Matt Guymon was really pleased with another improved performance from his side.

“This was another well balanced performance for our group, where I thought our ball movement and tempo was the best it has been all season," he said.

"I think we are continuing to move in the right direction defensively and hopefully we can keep building on this in the upcoming weeks.”

TSK’s Arissol was the high point man with 28, on 11-15 shooting from the field (6-8 from 3), whilst Gentry added 18 points and Archer an impressive 17 points and 12 rebounds in 15 minutes. BA London Lions guard Harrison had 17 points to lead the way for the visitors whilst Maynard and Juskevicius added 10.

Kestrels are back in NBL Division One action next weekend as they make the short trip to Oaklands Wolves in Hertfordshire, looking to improve to 9-1.