TROON Tornadoes senior men returned to winning ways with a 74-70 win over reigning National league winners and Scottish cup holders, Edinburgh Kings, at the Citadel on Friday.

On paper this was the same Tornadoes team who lost to St Mirren the previous weekend but the performance on the court was dramatically different.

Tornadoes not only played for one another but made outside shots.

Seven first quarter points from Andy Pearson helped give Tornadoes a 17-12 lead going into the second period.

Tornadoes lead extended to 9 points in this quarter and they looked as if they could run away with the game but a serious of turnovers allowed Kings to get easy baskets and by half time they had levelled the game at 34-34.

The third quarter was a high scoring affair but Tornadoes continued to be haunted by turnovers and they could have no complaints when they finished the quarter down 58-54.

Ross Campbell, who was a dominating factor in rebounding throughout the game, stepped up at the offensive end with 7 points in the quarter.

Tornadoes free throw shooting was much improved from the Buddies game with Ross Campbell in particular making 6 from 6 from the charity down the stretch when Kings were gambling and sending Tornadoes to line.

Tornadoes are still not the finished article but this close win shows that should be in contention for the domestic titles this season.

Eight players scored and 3 made double figures. Team: Jordan McIlwraith, Ifadade Thomas, Ally Hornell, Scott Frew, Gregor Anderson, Fraser Smith, Euan Campbell (capt), Ross Campbell ( 14 points), Andy Pearson (14 points), Jamie Frew, Stefan Loyen, Dan Donnelly (12 points). This coming Friday Tornadoes travel to Mussleburgh where they will face East Lothian Peregrines.

Tornadoes Juniors and Cadets both hosted St Mirren for their first home games of the season.

The Tornadoes Junior team started well with Harry Kerr scoring on the first drive of the game.

However, it very quickly all went pear shaped as they constantly turned the ball over and St Mirren beat them up the floor in transition.

The first quarter ended in a 40-7 rout for the Buddies.

Tornadoes managed to steady the ship in the second quarter with Jordan McIlwraith taking over the guard spot and in the process scoring 10 points, game with the half ending St Mirren ahead 68-28.

With the game effectively over Tornadoes were playing for pride in the second half and to their credit the boys stepped up and actually won the third quarter 22-18 with Loughlan and McIlwraith hitting some big outside shots.

Tornadoes again won the final quarter (28-21) but the damage had been done early doors in the first quarter and St Mirren ran out comfortable winners by 107-75. Top scorers, Jordan McIlwraith 30, Robb Loughlan 24.

Team: Harry Kerr, Chris Savage, Rob Loughlan, Silas McGilvray, Josh McGilvray, Sam Jack, Harvey Baker-Flanagan, Jordan McIlwraith, Alaistair Anthony, Connor McQuade, Martin Graham. After a winning start to the National League season last week, the Tornadoes Cadets were unable notch victory number two when they faced local rivals St Mirren on Saturday at Marr College, Troon.

Tornadoes started the match poorly - forgetting all the hard work and preparation put in at practice only two days before.

St Mirren's danger man and Scottish internationalist, Scott Rooney, scored at will during the first half (17 first half points). Meanwhile Tornadoes failed to get into any offensive rhythm and in the face of a St Mirren pressure defense, struggled to get the ball over the half court. At the half time buzzer St Mirren led by 20-33.

Tornadoes coach Scott Robertson stressed the importance of shutting down St Mirren's Rooney and running a patient offence during his half time team talk. Tornadoes took heed of this and opened the second half in good fashion - much better defence and some nice baskets from captain Chris Savage cutting the St Mirren lead to 8 points. A quick time out from St Mirren appeared to re-settle their players and quickly took control of the game again, opening up a 19-point lead minutes later.

Tornadoes were unable to chip away at St Mirren's lead any further during the half with Rooney proving too difficult to stop, scoring 41 points in the game.

Tornadoes can take some positives from the game though, under-15 player Mark Gebbie playing very well and gaining good experience at this level, as well as Chris Miller having another good offensive performance scoring 19 points.

Team: Alan Gebbie, Mark Gebbie, Josh Hunter (9 points), Craig Moffat, Gordon Hill, Chris Miller (19 points), Daniel Forbes (7 points), Ian Burns, Chris Savage (captain 10 points), Joshua McGilvery (4 points). On Saturday the Juniors and Cadets face difficult away fixtures against Edinburgh Kings.