Basketball: More Games For Hull Wasps As Division Expands To 14 Teams

As you may remember over the last couple of months we followed the Hull Wasps basketball team in the National League 4 North. Geoff Brown from the Wasps shares with us the make-up of next seasons league structure. There are some very attractive fixtures to look forward to next season. Be inspired and think sport, contact SportTrades for details of all the opportunities to sponsor or advertise at Hull Wasps, info@sporttrades.co.uk.

NATIONAL League 4 North has been named as the largest senior mens league in England's National League for the new season, it was announced this week.
Fourteen teams have been named for the new 2010-11 season and include some very familiar names. Two of the BBL's secondary teams will now compete against the Hull Wasps which include Cheshire Jets and BBL Champions, Newcastle Eagles.

Last season's league champions Huddersfield Heat have opted to stay in League 4 North rather than accept promotion along with Tees Valley, who reform back to the Mohawks II.

Perhaps the most interesting entrant to the league is UK Basketball's first Rugby League backed club, Warrington Wolves. Warrington Wolves Basketball Club formed during the 2009-10 season and were competing in National League 2 as Glyndwr Nets but formed a partnership with the famous rugby league club and now begin their first full season as the Wolves in League 4 North.

All other teams who finished the 2009-10 season in National League 4 North remain along with the introduction of new club Burnley. Reddish Rebels have unfortunately dropped away but Tyne Met Trojans make a return to League 4 after being relegated from League 3 North.

The complete League 4 North team list:

Burnley
Bury Blue Devils
Cheshire Jets II
Durham Wildcats II
Huddersfield Heat
Hull Wasps
Liverpool
Middlesbrough Lions
Newcastle Eagles II
Stockport Falcons II
Tees Valley Mohawks II
Tyne Metropolitan Trojans
Warrington Wolves
Wirral Hornets

Each team will now play 26 games during the regular season allowing the fans to experience more basketball than ever before, with 13 home games for the Hull Wasps at the Bonus Arena. Initial fixtures will be released during the summer with full confirmations to be announced in September. Before now and then the Wasps will be getting their squad together for next season where even with more teams in the league, they will be looking to improve on last season's 6th place finish.

Hull Wasps Announce Charity Game In Aid Of Shakespeare

Although the season may have ended, SportTrades favourite basketball team have always got news going on. With the team already holding open trial sessions to attract new players, the team have also announced a Charity Game going ahead this month. The annual event is an opportunity for all Hull basketball fans to get involved and raise money for local charity, Dove House Hospice. Every year the whole city and community of basketball in the UK come together to celebrate the life of a special man - Jason Shakespeare.

To remember him, the Hull Wasps will take on Jason’s former team-mates of the Hull Kingston Icebergs and all profits made from the game are donated to Dove House Hospice, who looked after Jason toward the end of his life. The event will take place on Saturday 24th April 2010, 7:30pm at the Gemtec Arena, Walton Street. Tickets are priced at just £4 Adults, £3 Juniors (15 & under) with commemorative programmes at only £1. So if you're din the area of Hull, please get down to the club and pay tribute to a great man and a great cause.

Do You Want To Be A Wasp?

The basketball season may have ended for SportTrades favourite basketball team, the Hull Wasps who finished 6th in the NBL Division Four. However their planning for next season has only just begun.

If you want to be part of the Hull Wasps Basketball Club for the 2010/11 season now is your chance. Every Thursday for the next 5 weeks the Hull Wasps will be holding open try-outs for any players who may be interested in joining the Wasps.

You will need to bring with you a light and dark top and if you have played national League or club level basketball before bring with you any information about your former team. There are spots up for grabs in our first team and reserve team so plenty of opportunities for you to shine.

The fist try out took place on Thursday 25th March and several players turned up for their chance to play for the Wasps. Next trial is on the 1st April at Kelvin Hall School, Bricknell Avenue, Hull, where all the trials are taking place. The Time of the Try-outs will be from 8 till10 please be there ready to start on time.

So if you're a Basketball player in the North East, who fancies themselves as a Basketball player get on down. If you require any information dont hesitate to contact current Wasps player Matthew Fawcett at matt_fawcett@hotmail.co.uk.

Wasps Feel The Heat In Season Finale

As visitors to SporTrades Report should know, we've been following the Hull Wasps basketball during the season. After a tough season Wasps have not let themselves down and finished fifth in the National League 4 North this year. After ending the season with a good run of results despite being short of players due to a fixture pileup and several players having work commitments the Wasps finished in a respectable sixth.

In their final encounter of the season, Chris McKenna's men travelled to the undefeated NBL Division Four champions Huddersfield Heat their toughest game of the season, but came up short last week 96-84.

Huddersfield were again led by the incredible shooting talents of Jason Swaine, who scored 42 points for the hosts, which is some feat for a player at any level in Basketball. Suprisingly it was the Wasps who led at half time 46-45 in a thrilling end to end encounter. And the Wasps trailed by just a single point well into the final quarter until the pivotal moment of the game.

Forward Rob Birchmore, who had performed immensely in restricting Swaine’s offensive output to 23 so late in the game, was called for a foul on the former Sheffield Sharks guard, despite receiving what looked like a clear offensive foul.

His brief remonstration with the referee at the apparent elbow earned him a harsh technical foul, his fifth personal, forcing him to leave the game. Swaine hit all four free-throws the men in grey had gifted him. And, without the tough Scot as his shadow, he proceeded to swish three three-pointers in quick succession to leave the visitors suddenly staring down an eight-point deficit.

It was part of a run that saw him score the Heat’s final 19 points after that turning point, allowing his title-winners to coast to a comfortable-looking victory that, in reality, was anything but.

Captain Jamie Goodwin led the visitors with 22 points, 15 coming in the second quarter, and shooting guard Adrian Blatherwick hit 21, including five three-pointers.
The team could have finished fifth had Bury Blue Devils beaten Team Durham by 23 or more for, but sadly the boys from up north won, knocking the Wasps down to sixth. SportTrades would like to thank Geoff Brown of the Hull Wasps for providing us with results and news to do with the team and we look forward to hearing from the team next season!

Catch Up With The Wasps

It's been over a fortnight since we last updated you on the Hull Wasps. If you count your minds back you're remember that the last time we reported on the Wasps, they beat the Middlesborough Lions 69-63 in front of more than 850 fans in attendence. Thats a record breaking crowd by the way.

After defeating the Lions, Wasps travelled to Woodchurch High on February 21st to play the Wirral Hornets. After losing to the Hornets at the Gemtec earlier this season, the team wanted to avenge that defeat. After a mix-up in fixture dates with the league, the Wasps travelled to Wirral on Sunday afternoon with only 7 first team players available. Kamil Pilarski, Jamie Goodwin, Jason Munro, James Rayner, Adrian Blatherwick, Rob Birchmore and Miles Anderson all made the trip and almost took the points after a great opening quarter.

Wirral Hornets pulled out the stops and brought themselves back into the game and took the lead at 39-37 going into half time. A dominant display in the third allowed the hosts to pull clear but a great fightback from the Wasps in the final quarter brought the scores a lot closer but it wasn't enough to take the points. Kamil Pilarski top scored in a great all-round team performance with 25 points. Jason Munro scored 14 with Jamie Goodwin scoring 9.

Last Saturday the Wasps travelled to the Greenbank Sports Academy to play Liverpool. This time only a staggering 6 players travelled to the game due to injuries and other committments. Matt Fawcett, Chris McKenna, Jamie Goodwin, Rob Birchmore, John Kelsey and Jason Munro were all fantastic. The team shone the second quarter where the Wasps outscored the home side 28-10. After that, the hard work was over and it was very much an even contest in the third and fourth quarters. Jason Munro top scored with 22 points. Jamie Goodwin scored 17 with Matt Fawcett on 13. A good win for the Wasps 76-57.

Sunday saw the Wasps back at the Gemtec Arena where they made it two wins out of two over the weekend as they edged out the Stockport Falcons II 91-86. It was the Wasps final home game of the season and a final performance they can be proud of after leading for most of the game. It's also a record season total for the Wasps who made it their 10th win of the season totalling 20 points with a game to spare, much to the delight of everyone involved at the club.

In a game that saw offences on top and good defence at a premium, Hull never looked in real danger of losing despite the narrow winning margin. The sides traded baskets throughout until the Wasps pulled away 70-58 with a definitive third quarter they won 29-22. Two late, late three-pointers by Stockport, with the game out of reach, made the final scoreline look more respectable for the visitors.

Hull, who went 16 for 20 from the free-throw line, were led by guard Kamil Pilarski and captain Jamie Goodwin, who both scored 18 points. Jason Munroe added 13 to cap an impressive weekend after his 22 in the win in Liverpool the previous day. The Wasps end the season in midweek away to the Huddersfield Heat, and SportTrades hope that they can end the season on a high.

Wasps Swarm Lions In Front Of Record Crowd

After their win last week over the Tee Valley Sonics, Hull Wasps continued their step in the right direction with a victory over the Middlesborough Lions. It was a tense affair which saw the hosts triumph 69-63 to keep their desire of a top four finish in the division going.

The game was played in a huge crowd of just over 850 fans in attendence, which was a great reward for the Wasps who in the weeks leading up to the game had been giving away a thousand free tickets to the game in order to build up their fanbase. The fact the gate was 850 fans is brilliant and should more than make up for the gate lost for the club that they would have gained from the Merseyside Spartans game on what was the final game of the season.

For those wondering what the Wasps previous record crowd was, it was 308 which came in the final game of last season. The Gemtec Arena can hold 1500 people so for everyone involved at Hull to get just over 850 people turning up is a great credit indeed. The team will be looking to build on this and reaffirm to current fans that the club is hungry to move forward and make the city proud. With victory in the game, Hull took a huge step towards a top-four finish in National Basketball League division four north, which would be a great achievement for the management.

Deep into the last quarter, with less than two minutes left with nothing splitting the sides at 62-62, the Wasps stepped up. Their defence kept firm to seal a win that keeps them in fifth spot. Polish guard Kamil Pilarski netted a three-pointer with 10 seconds to go to ensure victory. He finished with 18 points to lead all scorers.Forward Jamie Goodwin added 13 points and guard Adrian Blatherwick hit 12. More from the Wasps next week

Sonics Stung By Wasps

HULL WASPS bounced back from last week’s heartbreaking yet memorable defeat against the Bury Blue Devils with a 90-81 victory over Tees Valley Sonics at the Gemtec Arena last weekend.

It was yet another close game from start to finish with both sides coming out and putting some points on the board. A sloppy few minutes from the Wasps toward the end of the first period put them 18-28 behind but an Adrian Blatherwick 3 pointer and 2 points from Kamil Pilarski pulled the deficit to 5 points at the end of the quarter.

The second quarter proved much of the same from both sides with the Wasps outscoring the visitors 19-16 to narrow the gap even more to 42-44 going into the half-time break. The Wasps found themselves as much as 7 points behind in the third quarter but a late rally from the home side brought the scores level at 70 points each.

It was clear that yet another close finish was going to happen but this time, the Wasps didn’t relinquish. An 8 point unanswered run from the Wasps put victory in sight at 86-79 with just 90 seconds remaining. The Sonics weren’t finished however and a 3 pointer from the Sonics’ Burton put the home crowd on edge for the second week in a row.

Two successful free-throw shots from Anderson and Pilarski and a quick break-away lay-in from Fawcett brought the first victory for the Wasps in 2010. James Rayner top scored for the Hull Wasps with 15 points, Jon Kelsey scored 14 and Michal Kucmierczyk scored 11.

And don't forget the free ticket give away tonight at the Wasps game against Middlesbrough Lions at the Gemtec Arena. Hull Wasps Geoff Brown stated that at least800 tickets had been requested. We will find out how the evening went later.

This promotion has provided a great opportunity for people in and around the city to go and experience a Basketball game and support their local team. There's no catch, simply apply online via the Wasps website , and you will receive a voucher via email. Just print and bring along with you to the game. Go to http://www.hullwasps.co.uk and then click on Ticket Give Away for details. It's an opportunity that you wouldn't want to miss out on!

Hull Wasps Ticket Give Away!

1000 FREE TICKETS TO GIVE AWAY!

As you should know on the blog by now we have been following the Hull Wasps Basketball team and have been helping them in terms of promoting the team better. Anyway there is a fantastic opportunity for new fans as the Wasps are giving away 1,000 free tickets for their game againgst Middlesbrough Lions at the Gemtec Arena on Saturday 13th February.


So far around 130 free tickets have been snapped up by Wasps fans so there is a great opportunity avaliable for people in and around the city to go and experience a Basketball game and support their local team. There's no catch, simply apply online via the Wasps website , and you will receive a voucher via email. Just print and bring along with you to the game.


WHY THE GIVE AWAY?

We love our sport and think that the passion and excitement is second to none. We want to build Hull’s club and profile making game nights both entertaining and great value. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the fun, so take advantage and come along on Saturday 13th February and experience a night of end-to-end action like never before!

Go to http://www.hullwasps.co.uk/ and then click on Ticket Give Away for details.

It's Hell For Hull As Devils Win In Overtime!

Last time out, Hull Wasps had a painful defeat to the Team Durham Wildcasts, at the time it was one of their most painful defeats of the season. It's likley that that defeat is now not the most painful defeat of the season as on Sunday Chris McKenna's men lost to the Bury Blue Devils in the second period of Overtime. Yes amazingly it took not one, but two periods of overtime to settle an amazing contest between the sides with the Devils coming out triumphant.

It was a neck-and-neck contest the whole way through, starting with the first quarter. Both sides scored all of their points inside the key or from the line to end the first period 21-22 to the visitors. It was much of the same for the second quarter with both sides scoring 17 points each to go in at half time 38-39. The third quarter saw the home side battle ahead and open up a 6 point advantage over their rivals and that continued into the final quarter which saw the Wasps as much as 10 points ahead before the Blue Devils gradually fought their way back to a nail-biting finish and tie the contest at 70-70. Bury's No. 11 Burns had the chance to give them the lead in the final minute of normal time but only scored 1 of his 2 free throws.

A 5-minute period of overtime was required. Hull fell behind almost immediately after Bury knocked down 5 points without reply, but the Wasps showed their character and resolve by fighting their way back into it and both sides finished the first overtime period tied at 78 points. This time, Wasps captain Jamie Goodwin had the chance to win the contest in the final minute, once again from the line, after being fouled while scoring inside the key. Goodwin unfortunately missed the free-throw and forced another extremely tense period of overtime.

Once again, Bury came out an immediately took the lead and 2 consecutive 3-pointers seemed to knock any final comeback efforts out of the Wasps and Bury took the game 91-100 - without question, the most exciting and tense game of the season so far. In fact it was probably one of the most exciting games of Basketball played in the UK in the last couple of years, yet alone at the Gemtec Arena.

It was a game that was well worth it's £4 price to get in! Hull's star players were centre's Jamie Goodwin and Michael Kucmierczyk who both scored 13 points each. Burns top scored for the visitors with 24 points. There will be More from the Wasps next week when we'll find out how they get on at home againgst the Tee Valley Sonics!

Wasps Sting Clawed By Wildcats

It's been abit of a while since we heard from the Hull Wasps, but fear no more as we have a full round up from SportTrades favourite basketball team this week. Firstly in shocking news, the Merseyside Spartans whom you may recall had their game againgst the Wasps last month called off due to a faulty scoreboard have withdrawn from the league. It's a shame for the Spartans and theif fans and obviously like in any sport it's sad when a team cannot fulfill their league requirements. Rightly all league points won over the Spartans have been taken away.

Sadly for the Wasps as a result of this as they now lose what was to be their last regular league fixture at home on March 14th. This is a slight blow considering they've now lost their expected gate for that game, which of course the other teams in the league who have hosted the Spartans have got. However due to this being out of the Wasps control, it's not something that'll worry them.

Now to good news surrounding the Wasps. Firstly last week it was announced that they've appointed a new club physio in Ciara Morrissey. Ciara, who has come to Hull from Limerick in Ireland, works for Hull And East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust as a junior physiotherapist. She qualified from the University of Huddersfield in 2009, with B.Sc.(Hons) in Physiotherapy. While studying, she was physiotherapist for the university's Gaelic football team and recently started assissting the Hull Ionians rugby union team.

Ciara also starred for the University of Huddersfield's girls' basketball team and said she was happy to be getting back involved with the sport. She said: "I am delighted to be working with the team for the rest of the season." Wasps captain Jamie Goodwin said: "We are very lucky to be getting the help of someone with Ciara's knowledge of both physiotherapy and basketball. I am sure she will prove a valuable addition to the team and will be a big help in both the prevention and treatment of any injuries."

Ciara's first game as club physio was on saturday as the Wasps faced off Team Durham Wildcasts at Hull's Gemtec Arena . The Wildcats beforehand were below the Wasps in the league standings, so it was a chance for Chris McKenna's side to widen that gap between the teams in the table if the the Wasps could earn a win. Sadly that wasn't to be the case as the Wildcats condemned the hosts to their 5th defeat of the season, after overpowering the Wasps in the third period.

A close opening first period produced some good end-to-end basketball with Hull Wasps producing a more dominant display in attack but some sharp shooting from the Wildcats, particularly from John Morgan, allowed the visitors to take a narrow 20-17 lead at the end of the quarter. It was more of the same in the second period which saw the Wasps regularly at the free throw line. Some sharper shooting from the spot would have allowed a closer scoreline at the half-time interval but finished 32-36 to the visitors.

After the break Team Durham came out strong and rattled the Wasps with some hard defense. More sharp sooting, this time from their captain Ian Hewitt, allowed the visitors to open up a 12 point lead heading into in the final period.All was not lost however after a good rally from Hull brought them back to within 5 points, but after a scuffle between both sets of players, momentum seemed to swing back in favour of the visitors.

A lack of field scoring from the Wasps allowed Team Durham to increase the margin from the free throw line to take the game 82-63.Hull were missing 6'10 centre Michael Kucmierczyk and forward Jason Munro through injury. Captain Jamie Goodwin top scored with 20 points for the Wasps with Durham's Sam Chambers top scoring with 24 points for the visitors.

Wasps' head coach, Chris McKenna believed that the Wildcats simply outmuscled his side, but was optimistic his side would bounce back. "The Wildcats were a very physical side on Saturday and we have to learn to deal with that. Many teams higher in the National League all have the ability to get tough when it's needed and Team Durham did that very well. If we are to progress we need to learn from these teams and we will.

"We know we have the ability to compete with the best in our league but our performance let us down in that game. We have a tough contest in 2 weeks when Bury come to play us. They are the team to beat right now. They have only lost once all season so we need to be at our best if we are to get something out of the game."

Scoreboard Stings The Wasps!

In a story that would probably seem more familiar in an episode of the Simpsons or South Park, Hull Wasps had their scheduled Basketball match in the National League postponed on sunday due to scoreboard issues! Yes as silly as that may sound that was the case on sunday.

The Wasps, a team that you're be hearing alot of on SportTradesReport in 2010 had their league match againgst the Merseyside Spartans called of because the scoreboard at Sacred Heart High School in Merseyside was suffering from major technical issues which forced the game off before it could even start.

It was a shame for the Wasps, as they were looking to bounce back after their defeat last week to the Tees Valley Supersonics and will now look forward to next week with ambitons of a win. Their game this coming Saturday is a home clash at the Gemtec Arena againgst the Reddish Rebels who are from Stockport with tip-off at 7.30pm. The Gemtec Arena by the way is at the KC Stadium complex of Walton Street, just outside of Hull City Centre

For more info on the Wasps including the latest ticket prices check out their official website at http://hullwasps.webnode.com// and if you are in Hull City Centre on a weekend get down and follow the team.

Wasps Graded Out As They Lose At Teeside Uni!

As some regular visitors to SportTrades Report will know, we have recently teamed up with a British Basketball team. The Hull Wasps play in the National League Division 4 North, and we will be helping the club maximise their sponsorship potential as well as following their progress on the blog.

On Saturday afternoon, the Wasps travelled to the University of Teeside to face the Tees Valley Sonics in what was always going to be a tricky game. A poor display in the final quarter proved costly for the Wasps as they went down 84-67. It was a pretty even game in the previous 3 periods and a performance the Wasps will need to improve on vastly in terms of their away trip to face the Mersyside Spartans next week. The star men for Hull were James Rayner who top scored with 17 points with Adrian Blatherwick following with 16 in the match. Jamie Goodwin came third with 13 points.

Hull Wasps sign with SportTrades

SportTrades are delighted to announce our partnership with Hull Wasps Basketball Club.

Hull Wasps play in the National League Division 4 North and SportTrades will be helping the club maximise their sponsorship potential.

SportTrades Directors are excited at the prospect of working alongside a club as progressive and professional as the Wasps in a City with so much pride in their sporting culture.