Around the NBL – Week 17

By Bradley Gains on January 25, 2017

Image credit: Joe Pinchin

National Cup

Team Northumbria claimed the first piece of silverware in the 2016-17 NBL season after beating Solent Kestrels 73-56 in the National Cup Final at the University of Worcester Arena.

Malcolm Smith earned MVP honours with 32 points and 17 rebounds to lead the North-East side to victory.

Quick highlights of yday's @NBLengland Cup Final, @TN_Basketball vs @SolentKestrels + hear from @steutel10 & MVP Smith #NBLFinals pic.twitter.com/pMPek2MrI2

— Hoopsfix 🇬🇧🏀 (@Hoopsfix) January 23, 2017

Full report HERE.

Division One

Loughborough Student Riders (8-7) secured a much-needed victory as they defeated Essex Leopards (5-9) 63-53 with Josh Ward-Hibbert leading the way with 14 points in his side’s first home win of 2017.

“Nice to be on our home floor and get a much needed win,” said Head Coach, Mark Jarram. “I thought we were a different team in the first 20 and the second 20 minutes. We delivered in more of the areas of emphasis and it showed with a better on court performance.

“We have to do a better job in being more consistent with those things, but overall we aggressively compete, now just need to turn the corner and be smarter with our decision making on court.”

Reading Rockets (10-3) extended their winning streak in the league to nine games with an impressive 75-93 triumph away at Derby Trailblazers (10-4). The Rockets poured in 34 points during a pivotal second period with Craig Ponder netting 30 points and Chris Hooper adding 22 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks.

Meanwhile, Bradford Dragons (9-7) came out on top in a high-scoring thriller on the road against Lancashire Spinners (4-10) with Ricky Fetske scoring 20 points in a 94-97 away success with Hemel Storm (5-10) defeating Westminster Warriors (0-14) 90-71 behind 16 points apiece from Jack Burnell and Wayne Yeboah.

Worthing Thunder (5-11) picked up an 86-71 win at home to London Lituanica (7-6) as Lyonell Gaines put up 34 points with the two teams to meet again in the National Trophy semi-finals.

Division Two

Kent Crusaders (11-2) joined three other teams on 22 points at the top of D2 as John Shodipo netted 33 points in an 87-104 win away at Tees Valley Mohawks – Charlton Jones had 35 for the hosts.

Ipswich (7-7) were paced by 17 points apiece from Caleb Fuller and Leigh Greenan as they defeated Liverpool (3-10) 76-62, while Derbyshire Arrows (6-7) edged past Doncaster Danum Eagles (2-11) 71-66.

Division Three

North
Myerscough College Spinners 82-52 Sefton Stars
Stoke-on-Trent Knights 102-60 Mansfield Giants
Team Birmingham Elite 64-45 Birmingham Mets
Coventry Tornadoes 58-62 Myerscough College Spinners
Charnwood Riders 83-65 Sheffield Hallam Sharks

South
Brunel University Ducks 88-94 Solent Kestrels II
Sussex Bears 83-80 Oxford Brookes University
Greenwich Titans 77-73 Northants Thunder

Division Four

North
Stockport Falcons 64-76 Kendal Warriors
Barrow Thorns 73-53 Sefton Stars II
Tameside 73-84 Calderdale Explorers

Midlands
Birmingham Mets II 35-89 Kings Lynn Fury
Northants Taurus 94-63 Sheffield Sabres

South-East
Oaklands College 47-103 Chelmsford Lions
Cambridge Cats 46-67 Barking Abbey Crusaders

South-West
Plymouth Rebels 60-70 Reading Rockets II

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