Kestrels opened 2025 with a convincing 87-64 victory over the Richmond Knights on Saturday evening at the Solent Sports Complex. TSK broke off the festive rust to move through the gears in the second half and take a 23 point win, moving them to 10-1 at the summit of NBL Division 2 South.
Russ Gariepy showed no signs of the break hampering his rhythm as he poured in 29 points on an efficient 11-17 from the field, whilst Matt Hughes added 13 points and Greg Durand 12.
TSK engaged in a tightly contested first quarter where they would hold a slim lead at the end of the first period, 18-17. Ash Briggs scored inside early whilst Russ Garipey and Matt Hughes also powered the Kestrels offence. Richmond did find themselves up 6 at 4-10 but that would be short lived as the home sides bench ensure they held a one point lead after one.
A 12-2 run to open the second quarter saw the Kestrels spring into life pushing the score out to 30-19, forcing the Knights into an early timeout, again Gariepy and this time Greg Durand providing the offensively firepower. Another 8-1 scoring run ballooned the deficit in favour of TSK who were now up 38-20, after another Wayne Kitenge paint finish. Richmond responded before the half but were unable to make any head way in cutting the arrears, TSK 42-25 at the half time interval.
Another unaswered scoring barrage for the Kestrels gave them a seemingly unassailable 51-27 advantage, as Matt Hughes scored 5 straight taking advantage of his start in place of the injured Isa Brandon. The lead conitnued to grow for the hosts as Russ Gariepy found his range, connecting on back to back triples to extend the lead to 30 at 64-34. Richmond rallied to close the quarter but a Malcolm Sung three ensured the home side's lead was 26 with just ten minutes to play.
A 10-2 run for the visitors to open the fourth showed some signs that the game might not be over, as the Kestrels lead was slashed to 18. Matt Hughes did stop to the rot to restore a 20 point lead with a fast break lay up but very quickly, back to back scores for the Knights, forced Coach Guymon into a timeout with his sides lead down to 15. Richmond did get within 13 out of the timeout but Kestrels restored order late on and closed the game out with consecutive scores of their own through Gabriel Nyeko and Russ Gariepy, TSK winning 87-64.
Kestrels will be back at the Solent Sports Complex this Saturday evening (6pm) as they welcome Westminster Warriors, you can buy tickets for that game and the Essex Rebels II game (25th Jan) now.
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