By Dave Ryan

 

Derby Trailblazers moved a win clear at the top of Division One with a 94-75 victory at Coventry Crusaders on Saturday.

 

It was the seventh straight league victory for Derby as they produced an excellent all-round team performance, with six players finishing in double figures, one of whom was debutant Ryan Lewis. The 6'9" forward is a former teammate of both Joel Madourie and Martyn Gayle. He finished with 10 points and 6 rebounds after joining the Trailblazers on transfer deadline day.

 

Matt Shaw led by example in the first quarter with 13 points. The Trailblazers captain had already converted a pair of back to back three pointers when Coventry's captain John Olinger fouled him as he attempted a third. Shaw calmly sank all three shots from the line to set up an early 17-13 advantage.

 

It was clear from the off that the Crusaders primary tactic would be to shoot from outside, but strong perimeter defence from Shaw, Gayle and the two Simon's limited them to just two successes from downtown in the first quarter.

 

Lewis' first significant contribution came in the form of an assist from which Allaway drained his first three of the night. He then stole the ball and dished off to Allaway again, but this time the Blazers shooter had his foot on the line as he scored.

 

Moments later, Lewis produced back to back lay-ups to give Derby a 28-18 lead. Coventry then responded with seven straight points either side of the first quarter buzzer. A pair of three-pointers from Simon Payne helped the home side narrow the gap to 35-36 by the midpoint of the second quarter, but that was as close as they would get.

 

A three from Gayle sparked a 12-5 run to the half time break. The margin remained around ten points until the midpoint of the third, when Stedroy Baker initiated a string of assists feeding Dave Attewell, Sam O'Shea, Spencer and Lewis.

 

The irrepressible guard would have made it six in a row, had Coventry not chosen to foul in order to stop a pair of easy scores. The resultant 12-2 run left Derby 72-51 ahead going into the final ten minutes.

 

With the game's outcome already certain, Wiggins chose to run his bench throughout much of the fourth to keep his players as fresh as possible for the following day's Trophy semi-final against London Mets.

 

Olinger led all scorers with 20 points, while Eddon and Payne each finished on 12 for Crusaders. O'Shea and Spencer each had 17 for Derby with Shaw chipping in with 16 and Allaway 13.