Around the NBL - Week 8 - Hoopsfix.com

Around the NBL – Week 8

Check out our latest round-up of all the action across the four divisions of the NBL:

Division One

Essex Leopards (6-0) extended their unbeaten start to D1 to six games after an 83-53 home win against NASSA (1-7). Dave Ajumobi had a game-high 25 points, while Will Ashby added 15 points. It was to be a second defeat on the road for the league strugglers having lost 106-83 to Northumbria (5-3) the day before. Marc Steutel’s side were led by double-doubles from Chris Hatch (24pts/18rbs) and Lewis Champion (22pts/11ast), while Jack Thompson netted five triples in a 20-point haul from the bench. The visitors were led by Nick Rhodes’ 26 points.

Manchester Magic (5-4) came from behind to defeat Tees Valley Mohawks (2-7) on the road. The Mohawks had led by 13 at half-time and still had a slender one-point advantage heading into the fourth before the Magic completed the turnaround to storm clear. Ellis Cooper led the way with a double-double of 20 points and 14 rebounds, with Joe Swindells also reaching the 20-point mark. Bryan Hockaday had 21 & 11 for the Mohawks.

Milton Chavis was the hero on Saturday as Worthing Thunder (4-5) snatched a last-gasp 83-82 victory away at Bradford Dragons (2-7). The American netted the game winning three near half-court to beat the buzzer and finish with 25 points, and 11 rebounds. Louis Allen added 18 and Hank Rivers had another double-double with 17 points and 15 boards. Leicester Warriors (5-3) enjoyed a convincing 79-59 home win against Hemel Storm (4-5). Jason Tucker was a rebound away from a triple-double after posting a 13-9-11 stat-line, as the hosts were led by Leome Francis top scored with 24 points. The Warriors were in action again on Sunday, but were on the wrong end of an 86-68 result at Reading Rockets (5-3), as they extended their winning run.

Division Two

Lancashire Spinners (7-1) moved to the top of the league with a double-winning weekend. First, they defeated Birmingham Mets 85-75 after Josh Houghton top scored with 26 points, and Stephen Vaughan pulled down an impressive 23 rebounds from the bench. On Sunday, they were victorious on the road after earning an 84-74 win at London Greenhouse Pioneers (4-4). The Pioneers were also beaten on Saturday as Loughborough Student Riders (5-4) won 95-68 at home as Will Maynard led the way with 24 points.

Taner Adu top scored with 24 points as Eastside Eagles (3-5) upset previous leaders Ipswich (7-2) with an 87-83 victory on the road, while London Lituanica (5-1) saw their unbeaten start ended with an 88-81 loss away at Derbyshire Arrows (7-3). Corey Standerfer had a game-high 33 points for the Arrows, who moved level on points with the top two. Also, Brixton Topcats (4-4) improved to .500 with an 83-59 home win over London Westside (1-7).

Division Three

Liverpool (10-1) returned to winning ways with a crushing 104-42 win at home to Sheffield Sabres (2-8). Nottingham Hoods (11-1) responded by re-claiming outright hold of top spot with a 102-91 away win at Derby Trailblazers II (7-3) after a dominant final quarter. Calvin Morant-Hudson dropped a huge 54 points to lead Mansfield Giants (5-6) to a 93-87 victory away at Sefton Stars (4-5). Team Birmingham (6-5) defeated Hull Wasps (2-7) away from home, while City of Sheffield Saints (6-5) were 77-63 winners at home to Leeds Allerton High Force (2-8), and Newcastle Under Lyme College Knights (7-4) beat Tees Valley Mohawks II (1-10) 89-54 at home.

In the South, Plymouth Raiders II (8-2) and Thames Valley Cavaliers (8-2) are the joint leaders after they both enjoyed home wins over the weekend. Plymouth eased past Oxford City Hoops (1-7) with a 75-46 win, while Thames Valley defeated BC Medelynas London (4-3) 100-94. Northants Thunder (4-5) lost 77-68 at home to Hackney White Heat (4-4), and Middlesex LTBC (4-6) beat Team Solent (5-5) 82-76.

Division Four

Myerscough College Giants (9-1) moved top with a 78-62 win at home to Tameside (7-2) as Team Newcastle University (8-0) were not in action. Lancashire Spinners II (4-6) defeated Sefton Stars II (2-7) 98-43, and the visitors would bounce back with an 86-75 win on the road at Liverpool II (0-7) on Sunday. Kendal Warriors (1-9) fell short in search for their second win in a 76-70 loss at home to Leeds Tigers (4-5), while Gateshead Phoenix (7-3) beat Sunderland City Predators (2-7) 81-57 away.

Barking & Dagenham Thunder (8-0) extended their lead in the East Midlands after an 86-58 home win against Anglia Ruskin University (1-7). Elsewhere, College of West Anglia Fury (4-3) beat Hertfordshire Warriors (2-6) 105-85.

In the Midlands, Doncaster Danum Eagles (7-0) also continued their perfect start with a 95-81 home win over Sporting Club Albion (4-4), while Loughborough Student Riders II (7-1) kept up the pressure by beating Sheffield Hallam Sharks (3-5) 100-62. Derby Trailblazers III (5-3) also ran out convincing home winners with a 100-68 success against Shropshire Warriors (0-7).

Crawley United (8-2) edged out division rivals Sussex Bears (7-2) 97-94 in a top of the table clash. Twickenham Tigers (3-5) beat London Westside II (1-8) 76-45, and London United II (3-8) were victorious, 88-62 at home to London Greenhouse Pioneers II (0-8). Also, Brunel Ducks (5-1) forfeited their game for their first defeat against Greenwich Titans (6-2).

In the South West, Swindon Shock (7-2) moved into second place with a 76-67 road win at Bristol Storm (3-6), while Southampton University (1-9) claimed their first win by beating Reading Rockets II (2-7) 86-57.

Get to any games? Anything worth mentioning? Let us know in the comments!

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