CLARK ERIKSSON FURY 90

TROON TORNADOES 76
Scottish National League Senior Men


However, as in the first meeting this season, the Ayrshire club were subjected to relentless pressure by Fury and, at one stage, were behind by more than 20 points.

And it was the Clark Eriksson side's Scottish internationalist, and first-year junior, 16-year-old Ali Fraser who was the main thorn in their side.

His relentless play around the boards and on the break was too much even for the experienced Troon seniors. Racking up a game high 38 points, Fraser proved unstoppable almost every time he touched the ball.

With fellow Scotland junior Jonny Bunyan supplying the passes, the chemistry the two have developed since they were 12 was all too much for the visitors.

Troon – and current Scotland Junior Men's – coach Tom Campbell employed a three-player rotation to try and close down playmaker Bunyan, only to see his older players fail to stop the talented 16-year-old. Yet Fury's trademark this season has been their game plan and team basketball.

Fury also have the benefit in their line-up Scotland's best-ever three-point shooter, Keith Bunyan, and perhaps the country's most gifted player at this time, 19-year-old Daniel Donnelly.

Both former Scottish Rocks and current internationalists, they, along with the juniors, have given Fury the basis of a rotation that has now stretched Fury to seven wins and only one loss.

Therefore, following another defeat of St Mirren, this time by the Edinburgh Kings, Fury sit top of the table on their own.

And the match that took them to their lofty position was a very entertaining one, with Troon winning the first quarter 23-22.

Fraser and Donnelly had hit 10 apiece but the second was all Fury as the team racked up 30 points to the Tornadoes' 16.

Keith Bunyan sunk back-to-back threes while brother Jonny hit one himself and clinched two great closing two points after dribbling through the whole Troon team on the buzzer.

Fraser, meanwhile, made a further 10 and took his tally to 20.
The third and fourth were similar to the first, but Troon never threatened to close the gap to single figures – Fury even extended it to 20 at one stage.

And in the final period Donnelly turned on the style as he racked up 14 points, including two threes, for a total of 28.