READING Rockets were beaten 78-71 at Worthing Thunder in their opening National Trophy pool game on Saturday night.

Rockets led for more than 70 per cent of the game, but lost the lead in the crucial final quarter when new American signing Chris Hooper fouled out with the score at 66-65 in Rockets favour, the hosts turned the screw and edged the last seven minutes to take the tie.

Head coach Manuel Pena Garces had much to cherish and saw much that gives him hope for the long season ahead.

Hooper scored 1.5 points for every minute he was on court, made a pair of blocks but fell foul of the referees as he and his other American colleague, Craig Ponder re-adjust to the calls given in England.

Captain Danny Carter led from the front with major contributions in quarters two and three when he amassed 19 points as he and Hooper controlled the boards and dominated the paint, a sure area of much success to come with the two big men.

New Spanish centre Dani Arcau was prominent with rebounds, Ali Sbai, one of three Academy players in the senior team, was prominent in taking down eight rebounds, making three assists and a steal in a very promising game.

Most recent signing Juan Valerio hit three trebles to show his shooting prowess, while Bulgarian Under 20 Paulin Jardim showed his defensive attributes.

Rockets’ 17-year-old Spaniard Fidel Gomez hit the floor hard in the third period and didn’t return as he was taken to hospital to be checked over, although he has since been medically cleared and will again be a key member of the new team.

The third Academy player making the progression to the senior team, Ibu Jassey Demba gave an assist and showed himself to be worthy of his place as returning Joel Keeble showed he had more confidence after an intensive summer programme for the shooting guard.

A 19-16 opening quarter and a half-time single point lead of 41-40 reminded supporters these south coast rivals games are always close encounters and this game was not to disappoint either.

With Hooper scoring 10 points in his first quarter in English basketball and Valerio hitting a trademark treble, Pena Garces and his new assistant, England U16 head coach Alan Keane, saw much to please them even if the final quarter highlighted the importance of staying on the right side of the officials, especially to the new recruits.

Rockets indiscipline had allowed Thunder to go to the free throw line 33 times compared with Rockets 13 visits, with Thunder making 12 more successes than Rockets from here alone in what proved to be a crucial statistic in the outcome.

However, even with just 44.7 seconds left Rockets were only trailing by 73-71, but when Thunder missed both free throws, Rockets failed to take the rebound and Thunder kept the ball for some 20 seconds before stroking a killer treble and effectively the game.

This makes Worthing favourites to progress to the semi- final stage of the Trophy with Solent Stars the other team and league newcomers in the pool and who Rockets face at home in two week’s time on Sunday, October 2.

Top scorers for Rockets were Hooper with 22 points, Carter (19), and both point guards Ponder and Valerio (nine each) who impressed on their respective debuts.