BASINGSTOKE Blizzards basketball team kept up the pressure on the Wessex Division One leaders with a comfortable 63-33 victory over Yateley Silverbacks.

Visiting Basingstoke domina-ted from the start, taking a 12-0 lead early on thanks to their aggressive zone defence.

Offensively, they moved the ball well and the points kept coming. They led 21-7 at the first buzzer and were 33-12 ahead at half-time.

Yateley reduced the lead to 40-23, but three pointers from big men Harry Preston and Aaron Taylorson kept the Basingstoke score ticking over.

Yateley won the third quarter, but they still trailed 45-27 at the third buzzer.

The Blizzards scored eight unanswered points to start the final session and two quick baskets from Gerard Grabuleda were soon followed by Ashley Wells’ first as the visitors sealed a 63-33 victory.

Coach Marcel Mavronicholas said: “It was an all-round superb team performance.”

Scoring: Frecklington 14pts, Taylorson, Snelgrove 13, Awad 7, Grabuleda, Preston 5, Paddon 4, Wells 2.

The Blizzards’ entertain Woodley Warriors at Queen Mary’s College Sports Hall on December 9 (tip-off 8.25pm). Admission is free.