There were mixed emotions for Tees Valley Mohawks this week after being pipped 62-57 by Team Northumbria in the National Trophy and beating Sunderland City Predators 107-46 in the National Cup.
Captain Ike Attah scored the first basket against Northumbria but the visitors went on a 15-4 run.
Rob Donaldson found his range to reducve the gap to 16-15 and though Northumbria again went into a double digit lead, Mohawks seven points down.
Mohawks went ahead with some great shooting from Romonn Nelson but a lack of concentration in the final minute of the third quarter allowed Northumbria to gain a five- point cushion.
Mohawks regained the lead in the fourth period but the visitors nicked it.
Coach Steve Butler said: “Some decisions didn’t go our way but I’m really pleased with our performance - it was 1000% better than last week in Manchester.”
Mohawks did a a professional job back at the Olympia Building the following day as s Sunderland had no answer to the formidable force of Nelson, Alvaro Pontes and Jonny Foulds.
Mohawks put on a showcase display with dunks, fantastic shooting and good execution of their plays from start to finish.
New boy Pontes recorded an impressive seven out of seven from two-point shooting and five out of six from the line with a total of 19 points. But man of the moment Nelson earned the MVP award for an impressive 23 points, 14 assists and five steals.
“I wanted the team to do a professional job and we went out and did just that,” said Butler.
He added: “Young Romonn had an incredible game and he is only going to get better as the season continues.”
Mohawks entertain Leicester Warriors in the National Trophy on Saturday.
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