BBL 2016-17 - Week 1 Recaps - Hoopsfix.com

BBL 2016-17 – Week 1 Recaps

The new season of the BBL is underway as all 12 teams played their first games on an action-packed opening weekend.

Here’s a run-down on what happened over the weekend:


23/09 – Leicester Riders made a huge statement on the opening night of the new season after cruising to a 54-85 victory away at Sheffield Sharks.

The defending league champions pulled clear after an even opening period with another strong defensive display setting the platform for victory.

  • Quarter scores: 14-14, 7-20, 10-22, 23-29
  • Key moment – Sharks were down by three at 21-24 in the second before the Riders went on a devastating 30-3 run across quarters to storm clear.
  • Biggest lead – Consecutive baskets from rookie Shaheed Davis put Sheffield up 12-9 in the first period, but that was to be as good as it got. Riders were up as many as 35 points [43-78] late on.
  • Sharks stats – Davis finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds on league debut, while Tony Wroblicky added 12 including the first points of the 2016-17 season. Mike Tuck was contained to just two points.
  • Riders stats – Coming off the bench, Eric Robertson netted four triples on his way to a team-high of 15 points as a total of five players hit double figures. New captain, Tyler Bernardini had 12 points, five assists and four steals in the win.

Box score.


23/09 – Worcester Wolves overcame a thrilling opener against Cheshire Phoenix as they claimed an 88-85 victory in overtime, on Friday night.

A remarkable fourth quarter comeback saw Wolves recover from a 16-point deficit before eventually sealing the win with two big triples in the closing stages of the extra period.

  • Quarter scores: 21-19, 16-24, 14-22, 27-13, (10-7)
  • Key moment – After Worcester produced an incredible 22-2 run to surge ahead in the fourth, the game headed to overtime and triples from Danny Huffor and Andrew Bachman secured the win.
  • Biggest lead – Cheshire looked in complete control as they led by as many as 16 points [51-67] with 9:18 left before Wolves’ stunning fightback with the hosts having made a 13-4 start to the game.
  • Wolves stats – Jermel Kennedy was the leading scorer with 23 points – 10-of-13 inside the arc – while Bachman netted five triples in his 20 points from the bench. Captain, Marek Klaasen impressed with 15 assists to go with 12 rebounds in 40+ minutes as his side finished 8-of-43 from downtown. Deondre McWhorter DNP.
  • Phoenix stats – Having netted 15 points in the first half, Earl Brown finished with 21, while Josh Fox added 18 points and Josh Wilcher provided 11 assists to go with 17 points as four players played over 38 minutes.

Box score.


24/09 – Bristol Flyers opened their campaign for the new season with an 85-80 victory over Plymouth Raiders, on Saturday evening.

Andreas Kapoulas’ side are now 8-1 against the Raiders since entering the BBL after putting together a strong finish to get off to a 1-0 start in the league.

  • Quarter scores: 25-17, 18-22, 22-24, 20-17
  • Key moment – Having fallen five points behind with 3:52 left, Bristol put together a timely 8-0 run including five points from Leslee Smith to swing the momentum for the final time in the game.
  • Biggest lead – The Flyers led by as many as 10 points [27-17] early in the second, while Plymouth appeared to have made their move at the right time as they went up by five at 69-74 for their biggest lead of the game.
  • Flyers stats – New point guard, Hameed Ali held his nerve at the line to secure the win as he finished with 22 points, while Smith posted 18 points and 13 rebounds. The Flyers made 9-of-10 free throws and won the rebounding battle 52-38. Brandon Boggs and ex-Raiders forward Mike Vigor added 14 points apiece off the bench.
  • Raiders statsDonte Nicholas top scored with 18 points, while player-assistant Daryl Corletto added 17 points as all five starters reached double figures. Rhys Carter added seven assists and six steals to 12 points with just five points coming from the bench. The team went 17-of-27 free throws – 62%. Peter Hooley DNP.

Box score.


24/09 – London Lions made a successful start to their league campaign after pulling away to defeat Surrey Scorchers 58-69, on the road.

The visitors recovered from a slow start and a strong second half saw Nigel Lloyd’s side come away from Guildford with the victory.

  • Quarter scores: 21-13, 17-28, 11-16, 9-12
  • Key moment – The Lions were down in double digits in the first, but responded with a 22-4 run in the second to take control and withheld the hosts’ resistance to secure an 11-point triumph.
  • Biggest lead – Surrey made a strong start and led by as many as 10 points at 20-10 following a 13-2 run, while the Lions’ lead was never above 10 until the final points of the game were scored.
  • Scorchers stats – Will Neighbour netted 18 points on his Scorchers return, while Michael Ochereobia was the only other player in double figures with 13 points. 3-of-21 from downtown with 19 turnovers.
  • Lions stats – Kai Williams and Alex Owumi also scored 18 points with Rashad Hassan adding 15 as the trio combined for 51 of the 69 points. Just two points came from the bench. Jamal Williams DNP (injury).

Box score.


25/09 – Leeds Force enjoyed a winning start to the new season after claiming a 79-58 victory over Yorkshire rivals, Sheffield Sharks, on Sunday.

The home side pulled away for a dominant victory behind Jack Isenbarger’s shooting heroics as the club won their season opener for the first time in the BBL.

  • Quarter scores: 21-19, 17-14, 19-14, 22-11
  • Key moment – At 38-38 early in the second half, a tight finish seemed likely, but Jack Isenbarger began to heat up from downtown and after helping establish a 10-point lead, the American went back-to-back to make it a 20-point game at 69-49 in the fourth.
  • Biggest lead – Sharks had a five-point lead at 6-11 early on, but never led again after Isenbarger netted his first three to make it 15-13 – his eighth incidentally gave Force their biggest lead of the game before the final buzzer at 24 points [79-55].
  • Force stats – Isenbarger produced a scintillating shooting display with 28 points on 8-of-11 shooting from 3-point range – making all seven attempts in the second half. Rob Marsden added 12 points to close on 1,000 in the BBL Championship with important contributions coming from the young British contingent off the bench.
  • Sharks stats – Held to below 60 points for the second time over the weekend. Rob Poole top scored with 14 points, while Shaheed Davis added 13 points with no other player reaching double figures.

Box score.


25/09 – Leicester Riders made it two wins from two after they held off the challenge of Worcester Wolves in securing a 77-66 triumph.

Rob Paternostro’s side got the job done in the final quarter after being given a stern test in their home opener.

  • Quarter scores: 23-16, 16-26, 16-16, 22-8
  • Key moment – A 3-pointer from Trevor Setty made it a one-point game at 67-66 late on, but five points from Pierre Hampton was followed by a big three from Tyler Bernardini as part of a 10-0 close to seal the win.
  • Biggest lead – Wolves had been down in double digits at 29-19 in the second, before putting together a 23-3 run to open up a 32-42 advantage having made nine of their first 15 attempts from downtown. Riders’ biggest lead was their final winning margin of 11 points.
  • Riders stats – Brandon Clark led the team in points and assists after finishing with 20 & 7, while Drew Sullivan had seven points, 11 rebounds and three blocks with a number of valuable contributions, once again. 16 offensive rebounds. 16-of-28 free throws.
  • Wolves stats – Jermel Kennedy top scored for the second game running after netting 18 points in defeat, with Danny Huffor scoring 16 of his 18 points in the first half. Marek Klaasen had 10 assists, while Deondre McWhorter made his club debut but got himself in foul trouble and went 1-of-6.

Box score.


25/09 – Plymouth Raiders bounced back from their opening loss with a convincing 87-63 victory at home to Surrey Scorchers.

The home side led from start to finish in a dominant display to level their league record at 1-1.

  • Quarter scores: 24-10, 23-16, 19-17, 21-20
  • Key moment – After Worcester produced an incredible 22-2 run to surge ahead in the fourth, the game headed to overtime and triples from Danny Huffor and Andrew Bachman secured the win.
  • Biggest lead – Cheshire looked in complete control as they led by as many as 16 points [51-67] with 9:18 left before Wolves’ stunning fightback with the hosts having made a 13-4 start to the game.
  • Raiders stats – Anton Grady led the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Cory Dixon and Donte Nicholas both contributed 16 points apiece. Rhys Carter added 15 points, five assists and five steals, while Daryl Corletto handed out eight of his side’s 27 assists on the night.
  • Scorchers stats – GB forward Will Neighbour poured in 25 points in the loss, while Tayo Ogedengbe added 12 points on a 3-of-19 shooting night. Still without Americans Jay Bowie and Quincy Taylor, the short-handed Scorchers got themselves into foul trouble in the first half.

Box score.


25/09 – Glasgow Rocks recorded an emphatic 56-90 victory away at Manchester Giants to get their campaign up and running.

The Rocks never trailed and had five scorers in double figures as they made a strong start to the season.

  • Quarter scores: 9-24, 22-21, 12-18, 13-27.
  • Key moment – Manchester were within touch at 7-9 in the opening period before the Rocks went on a 15-2 run to seize complete control and despite an improved second, there was no way back for the home side.
  • Biggest lead – The game was level at 2-2 and 5-5 early on, but the visitors never trailed and went from strength to strength en route to a convincing 34-point success.
  • Rocks stats – Neil Watson netted 21 points in his first competitive outing for the Rocks with four other players in double figures including Anthony Elechi, who added 16 points and 10 rebounds from the bench. GB internationals, Kieron Achara and Gareth Murray went a combined 19 points, 15 boards and six assists.
  • Giants stats – Player-coach Yorick Williams led his side with 14 points and moved to 999 3-pointers made in his BBL career. Support came from Barry Webster, who was also in double figures with 11 points. 20-60 from the field and 15 turnovers gifted Glasgow 26 points.

Box score.


25/09 – Newcastle Eagles began their campaign with an 85-99 victory away at Cheshire Phoenix.

The two teams met eight times last season and Fab Flournoy’s side were able to avenge their defeat in the playoffs with an opening success.

  • Quarter scores: 18-20, 17-22, 24-30, 26-27
  • Key moment – Newcastle stretched away in the second, only to be pulled back to 39-42 early in the second half. However, the Eagles went on another run to push clear and a 19-6 spell made sure of the result in the fourth.
  • Biggest lead – That run helped put the visitors up by 21 points at 72-93 with little over three minutes remaining with victory all but secured. Cheshire’s biggest lead was four points at 10-6 and last led at 18-16 in the opening period.
  • Eagles stats – 28 points from Scott Martin led Eagles to victory as he drained 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. Darius Defoe grabbed four steals to go with 16 points and Deondre Parks weighed in with 15 points.
  • Phoenix stats – Jamell Anderson played a full 40 minutes for his side and netted 23 points on 9-of-10 shooting, while Earl Brown also added 23 points. Josh Fox contributed 13 points and 11 boards, while the team gave up 19 turnovers including six from Josh Wilcher.

Box score.


Results: Friday – Sheffield Sharks 54-85 Leicester Riders, Worcester Wolves 88-85 Cheshire Phoenix (OT); Saturday – Bristol Flyers 85-80 Plymouth Raiders, Surrey Scorchers 58-69 London Lions; Sunday – Leicester Riders 77-66 Worcester Wolves, Leeds Force 79-58 Sheffield Sharks, Plymouth Raiders 87-63 Surrey Scorchers, Manchester Giants 56-90 Glasgow Rocks, Cheshire Phoenix 85-99 Newcastle Eagles

Standings: Riders 2-0; Lions/Eagles/Flyers/Rocks/Force 1-0; Wolves/Raiders 1-1; Giants 0-1; Phoenix/Scorchers/Sharks 0-2

Hoopsfix Star 5: Hameed Ali, Jack Isenbarger, Jermel Kennedy, Scott Martin, Anton Grady

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