Around the NBL – Week 12

Check out our latest round-up of all the action across the four divisions of the NBL including the Final of the National Cup.

National Cup

Manchester Magic claimed the first piece of silverware of the season with a 76-58 win against the holders Reading Rockets, in Sheffield. Full recap here.

Division One

Kent Crusaders (8-1) currently have the best win % in D1 at the moment after two victories over the weekend took their current win streak to eight games in the league. They began with a 79-76 win at home to Bradford Dragons (5-8), led by Akwasi Yeboah’s 21 points before travelling on the road to beat NASSA (2-11) 81-70 despite 24 points (8-9 FG) from Wayne Yeboah. It was to be a second loss for the basement side as they had been beaten 87-77 away against Leicester Warriors (6-7) the day before.

Essex Leopards (9-2) were unable to take advantage of the leaders not being in action as they fell to an 82-73 defeat at the hands of Marc Steutel’s Team Northumbria (7-4). Lewis Champion top scored for the hosts with 20 points, with David Ajumobi scoring 27 for Essex. Also, Worthing Thunder (7-6) recorded a 93-79 win on the road over Westminster Warriors (3-10) with Louis Allen netting eight triples on his way to 33 points, backed up by Milton Chavis’ 21.

*Note- Kent will play Essex (twice) and Derby in three of their next four games in an exciting run of games in the title race.

Division Two

Lancashire Spinners (12-2) moved further clear at the top of D2 with a double-winning weekend in the capital. First, they eased to a 91-69 win at London Westside (1-10) with 21 points apiece from Josh Houghton and Steven Gayle before beating London United (1-9) 109-85 with Houghton stepping up again with a 30-point haul.

Leigh Greenan poured in 32 points to lead Ipswich Basketball (10-3) to a convincing 79-54 win on the road at Worcester Wolves II (2-8), while London Lituanica (10-1) avoided defeat to edge past London Greenhouse Pioneers (6-5) 71-70. Eastside Eagles (4-8) defeated Birmingham Mets (3-10) 79-75 with Lukas Volskis and Taner Adu combining for 45 points in the win.

Division Three

Liverpool (13-1) held on to top spot in the North with a 92-56 win over Mansfield Giants (7-7). The visitors were led by 21 points from Calvin Morant-Hudson with the other half of the Giants’ deadly duo Mike Buffalo having left the club. The American averaged 27.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.9 steals per game during his time with Mansfield (see highlights below) but has returned home for personal reasons. Nottingham Hoods (13-2) bounced back from their shock loss last week with a 93-78 home win against Leeds Allerton High Force (2-11). Sefton Stars (8-7) were beaten twice at home this week; losing 75-62 to Newcastle Under Lyme College Knights (10-4) and 70-63 against Derby Trailblazers II (8-5), who had lost the day before with Hull Wasps (3-10) claiming a surprise 82-80 win. Team Birmingham (8-7) beat Tees Valley Mohawks II (2-13), while Sheffield Sabres (2-11) were beaten 86-66 at home by City of Sheffield Saints (8-6).

Plymouth Raiders II (11-3) are still top in the South after they defeated BC Medelynas London (6-4) 77-57 behind Jason Carr’s 25-point haul. Solent Kestrels (10-1) have the better win % in second after they cruised to a 98-68 win at Cardiff Met Archers (2-10), who were also beaten 81-42 by Hackney White Heat (5-7) the previous day. Team Solent (7-6) closed the gap on third placed Thames Valley Cavaliers (10-3) wth a 96-68 victory, while Barking Abbey (4-8) beat Oxford City Hoops (1-9) 91-83 and Middlesex LTBC (6-7) claimed a 100-90 success at home to Northants Thunder (4-8).

Division Four

In the East Midlands, Barking & Dagenham Thunder (9-1) used a strong start as a platform for an 86-63 victory over Northants Taurus (5-4). Cambridge Cats (7-3) moved into second with an 82-58 home win over Anglia Ruskin University (1-9), while Oaklands College Wolves (2-8) defeated Hertfordshire Warriors (2-7).

Doncaster Danum Eagles (10-0) are still unbeaten in the Midlands after they crushed TCAT Shropshire Warriors (0-11). Loughborough Student Riders II (10-1) are close behind after they claimed a 90-79 win on the road against City of Birmingham (6-6) despite 30 points from Jordan Dawes. Derby Trailblazers III (6-5) also won away from home as they beat Nottingham Hoods II (3-8) 68-44.

Team Newcastle University (12-0) made it twelve straight wins in the North after an emphatic 132-47 victory against Kendal Warriors (1-12) with Tayo Oyefusi scoring 25 in the rout. Myerscough College Giants (13-1) are still the league leaders after earning a 79-61 win over Gateshead Phoenix (7-6). Prestons College (7-5) crushed Liverpool II (0-10) 109-28, while Tameside (11-3) remain third after beating Sefton Stars II (3-8) 83-58. Also, there was a 64-60 win for Sunderland City Predators (4-8) over Leeds Tigers (5-7).

Brunel Ducks (9-2) enjoyed a double-winning weekend in the South-East including a 101-92 overtime win against leaders Sussex Bears (10-3). Bud Johnston’s game-high 36 points were in vain, with Benji Lawmann scoring 30 to lead Brunel, who also beat London Westside II (1-10) 63-49 on the road the following day. BC Crawley United (11-3) are the new leaders after Giedrius Ceginskas’ 31 points led his side to a 103-69 win against Twickenham Tigers (4-9). Folekstone Saints (6-6) beat London Greenhouse Pioneers II (0-12) 85-60 on the road, while Greenwich Titans (10-2) also won on their travels; beating Kent Crusaders II (6-6). On Sunday, Brighton Cougars (8-5) eased to an 89-51 success at home to London United II (3-10).

Oxford Brookes University (11-0) are also unbeaten in the South-West after beating Bristol Storm (3-8) 99-50. Thames Valley Cavaliers II (7-2) produced a strong 33-6 final quarter to beat Reading Rockets II (2-9). Oxford Stealers (4-6) upset Bristol Academy Flyers II (7-4) with a 71-63 win on the road, and Woking Blackhawk Flyers (6-5) beat Southampton University Sharks (1-10) 99-78.

Get to any games? What are your thoughts on the weekend results? Let us know in the comments!