LOCKERBIE Tornadoes began the new basketball season in style with a dominant 73-28 victory over last season’s cup finalists, the Glasgow Olympians, last Thursday night.
The Tornadoes showcased their depth and experience, taking control early and never looking back.
Scott Russell led all scorers with an impressive 27 points, supported by fellow GB 40+ Scottish players Stu Mackay, who added 12 points, and Keith Bunyan, who knocked down a crucial three-pointer.
Meanwhile, Ed Potter contributed 19 points. Former U18 Scotland International Jack Shand also made valuable contributions to the squad, further enhancing their offensive firepower. Italian Vincenzo Conte, returning as a key player this season, bolstered the team’s depth across the court.
Big man Craig Stephenson chipped in four points, while guards Dan Gowans and Andrew Witts contributed two points each, showcasing Lockerbie’s balanced range of talent across all positions.
Although they were missing key player Jan Glodzak, who is set to return for the next game, the Tornadoes remained in control throughout the match.
Head coach Robin Laidlaw praised the team’s performance, highlighting their solid defence and overall contributions from the entire roster.
He said: “Everyone stepped up, and defensively we were excellent. It’s a great start, and we’re looking forward to building on this.”
The Tornadoes are also making strides elsewhere, with the Tuesday night junior training sessions at Lockerbie Academy drawing a strong turnout.
Under the guidance of Tornadoes players and coaches, both boys and girls have shown vast improvement, and several juniors are now training alongside the senior team.
With this commanding opening win, the Tornadoes have set the tone for a promising season ahead.
