Jets 81 Scottish Rocks 89

Apr 7 2008 by Alec Doyle, Chester Chronicle

THE final nail in BiG Storage Cheshire Jets’ play-off coffin was driven home by the Rocks at the Northgate Arena last night

Jets now know they will not finish in the top eight as they are eight points off the play-off zone with three games remaining.

Although Jayson Obazuaye struck a small victory for the Jets by being the game’s highest scorer with 27 points, the hosts were out-scored thanks to decisive contributions by Maurice Hampton (26 points), Rob Yanders (22) and Sterling Davis (14).

The sides could barely be separated in the early exchanges, although 12 first quarter points from Hampton helped the Rocks to a 27-25 lead.

The visitors extended their lead in the second quarter through consistent scoring and led 51-41 at the break.

Following the restart, the Rocks opened up their largest lead of the game with an 8-2 tear making it 59-43, before being pegged back by a 10-2 burst from the Jets midway through the stanza.

Yanders made the difference in the fourth period as he scored 13 points to lead the Rocks to the win.

James Hamilton scored the last five points of the game to ensure that the Jets did not go down by double-digits on their home floor, although the loss does leave Paul Smith’s men with the worst home record in the league.