Leicester Riders Win BBL League Title

By Sam Neter on March 31, 2013

Leicester Riders won the BBL Championship regular season crown for the first time in their 46-year history after beating Durham Wildcats 93-70 at home on Saturday night.

A fifteenth consecutive victory in BBL Championship games means that Rob Paternostro and his team sealed the title after a league campaign which has seen them lose only two of their 29 games. They also beat Newcastle Eagles 85-80 in front of 7,500 people to secure their first ever BBL Cup in January.

“It has been a long time coming, but my hat is off to this Rider’s team,” said Riders coach Paternostro. “They have been just brilliant. The fixture pile-up has taken its toll over the last few weeks, but guys have stepped up and never let upon the intensity. They really deserve this Championship. The recent away wins at Manchester and Surrey has just epitomised their fighting spirit.

“To win a BBL Championship requires a relentlessness and a focus, and we have been blessed with guys who have that in abundance. We have never let up on the defensive end, and I think that has been what has guided us through. It would be wrong for me to pick out any player – everyone of the squad has made big contributions at times this season, and this season has been one huge team effort. But my coaching staff have been huge too, and I have to mention the hard work of all the Club’s staff off the court as well.”

Their 27 BBL championship wins so far this season is already a franchise record with four games still to play for the Riders this season.

“And a word also about the Leicester fans,” continue Paternostro. “They have just been fantastic ever since I took over. The atmosphere they have created has made the John Sandford one of the hardest places to play in the BBL, and I dedicate this Championship to them. Some have been following the club for twenty or thirty years, and finally the wait is over. They absolutely deserve it.”

Image Credit: Leicester Riders Twitter

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