Solent Stars 81 - Worthing 91

STARS' uninspiring first quarter performance just about ruled out any chance of a last-game-of-the-season win as they finished tenth.

Fifth-placed Worthing looked sharper and more skilful in the opening stages of the English Basketball League game at Fleming Park.

A couple of early turnovers by Solent's Americans, Marlin Capers and Larry Parker, did not bode well and helped Worthing into an 18-9 lead by the eighth minute.

An even two minutes followed when over 20 points were shared but Solent's defence was penetrated with consummate ease while only Capers was hitting the target with any regularity for Solent.

If the first quarter's performance by Solent was bad, the second was dire.

Rarely unable to string together more than a few passes, the shooting presented even more problems as Paul Silcox, Ollie Marsh and Phil Long missed easy chances.

No Solent player impressed, especially Parker who could only contribute two points in the first half.

A series of niggling fouls and substitutions made for a long second period in which Worthing kept stretching their lead.

Coach Alan Cunningham managed to get a better performance out of his team in the second half, Solent outscoring their opponents in both of the quarters.

That was despite sitting Capers out for a long period in the third quarter when he was on four fouls.

They came back to a 12-point difference (74-86) with three minutes remaining.

But two consecutive three-pointers from David Butterworth gave Worthing the necessary breathing space.

They were unable to score again whilst Solent added seven more points of their own.

No one demonstrated the Solent team's determination better than Mike McGregor, but the team's skills did not match those of their opponents.

Scorers: Marlin Capers 28, Larry Parker 13 Mark Jackson 11 Phil Long 10 Mike McGregor 7 Chris St Omer 6 Paul Silcox 5 Ollie Marsh 1.

The Solent Player of the Year Award was awarded to Marlin Capers after yesterday's game. Mark Jackson was runner-up and received the Players' Player-of-the -year award for the second consecutive year. The Peter Axon Newcomer Award went to Paul Silcox.