Around the NBL – Week 14
Check out our latest round-up of all the action across the four divisions of the NBL including the semi-finals of the National Trophy.
Division One
The top four teams in D1 are locked on 20 points with two top of the table clashes at the weekend.
Kent Crusaders (10-2) are the new leaders after they crushed a depleted Derby Trailblazers (10-4) side with Adetola Akomolafe filling the stat-sheet with 24 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Five other players recorded double figures, led by Josh Steel who had 18 on 4-8 shooting from downtown. As for the visitors, Chris Shalvoy hit eight triples on his way to a game-high 30 points with Raheem May-Thompson adding 26 including 12/15 from the foul line. Danny Carter top scored with 27 points from the bench to lead Reading Rockets (10-3) to a 73-69 win over Essex Leopards (10-3) as the hosts completed a turnaround win with a 20-9 fourth.
Team Northumbria (9-5) are a win away in fifth after they defeated Bradford Dragons (5-10) 88-78 with Lewis Champion leading the way with 25 point as Marc Steutel’s side enjoyed a strong third quarter. Chris Hatch pulled down 16 boards to go along with 13 points, while JP Davis had a 25/11 double-double for the visitors.
Tees Valley Mohawks (4-8) recorded a 97-86 home win against Hemel Storm (4-11) despite an impressive 39 points and 6 assists from Adeniyi Adeluola. Charles Rhodes top scored for the hosts with 26 points, Bryan Hockaday had 24 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists while Romonn Nelson added 23 points. It was a perfect weekend for the home teams with Manchester Magic (7-7) also defending home court with an 85-79 success over Worthing Thunder (7-8) with Ellis Cooper producing yet another all-round display with 23 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and an incredible 6 steals. Milton Chavis and Hank Rivers combined for 48 points for Worthing.
National Trophy
Manchester Magic are on course for a cup double after reaching the final of the National Trophy with a 99-76 win over Derby Trailblazers. Cooper again top scored with 24 points, with Jack Minister adding 22, while May-Thompson fired in 31 for the visitors. Magic will meet Leicester Warriors in the final after they recovered from an 11-point deficit at the end of the first to beat Bradford Dragons 84-80 with Derek Knutty and Kieran Mills scoring 19 points apiece.
Division Two
Lancashire Spinners (14-2) still lead the way in D2 after Mark Rangeley and Steven Gayle combined for 55 points in a 94-81 on the road at Derbyshire Arrows (10-4). London Lituanica (13-1) had a dominant 35-15 quarter in their 101-64 win at home to Eastside Eagles (4-10) with Austidas Petraitis scoring 34 points.
Ipswich Basketball (11-4) pulled out an 82-77 win on the road at Brixton Topcats (6-8) to remain in the hunt, whhile Loughborough Student Riders (10-5) defeated Worcester Wolves II (2-11) 98-70 away from home, and London Westside (2-11) beat London Greenhouse Pioneers (6-6) 69-62.
Division Three
The top two in the North continue to lead the way although Nottingham Hoods (15-2) were made to work hard for their victory once again. They needed a 20-12 fourth quarter to force overtime before seeing off Sefton Stars (8-9) 75-73, while Liverpool (15-1) dominated City of Sheffield Saints (9-8) 116-67. Newcastle Under Lyme College Knights (12-5) are third and they edged past Sheffield Sabres (3-12) 66-64 behind 31 points from Kieran Jones. Calvin Morant-Hudson led Mansfield Giants (8-7) to an 80-66 road win at Hull Wasps (4-11) with a 25-point haul, while Team Birmingham (9-8) beat Leeds Allerton High Force (2-13) 84-60. On Sunday, Derby Trailblazers II (9-5) earned a 91-64 win at home to Tees Valley Mohawks II (2-15).
There was a big shock in the South as Oxford City Hoops (2-10) used a 31-17 final quarter to upset leaders Solent Kestrels (11-2) with an 85-82 victory. Plymouth Raiders II (11-3) closed the gap by virtue of a forfeited win against Hackney White Heat (6-6). Thames Valley Cavaliers (10-3) are not far behind after they saw off Middlesex LTBC (6-8) 97-78 on the road, while Team Solent (7-6) beat Cardiff Met Archers (2-10) 88-66 and there was a 91-72 road win for Northants Thunder (6-7) at Barking Abbey (4-10).
Division Four
Brentwood Fire (8-2) enjoyed a double-winning weekend on the road in the East Midlands after beating Oaklands College Wolves (2-9) 70-66 and College of West Anglia Fury (6-4) 80-72 the following day. Cambridge Cats (9-3) remain second after they defeated Hertfordshire Warriors (2-9) 68-61, while Northants Taurus (6-5) beat Anglia Ruskin University (1-11) 84-75.
Doncaster Danum Eagles (12-0) are still unbeaten in the Midlands after they cruised to an 88-51 win over TCAT Shropshire Warriors (1-12). Loughborough Student Riders II (12-1) refuse to go away as they maintained their pursuit with a 92-74 victory at home to Sporting Club Albion (6-6). There was also a win for Nottingham Hoods II (4-9) as they beat Sheffield Hallam Sharks (4-7) despite 40 points from George Brownell.
In the North, Team Newcastle University (14-0) kept their perfect run going with a dominant 94-43 win at home to Lancashire Spinners II (6-9), with Myerscough College Giants (14-1) still close behind after their 83-67 triumph over Prestons College (8-6). A big final quarter effort from Kendal Warriors (2-13) denied Liverpool II (0-12) a first win as they edged out the hosts 89-88. Also, Tameside (13-3) crushed Leeds Tigers (5-9) 104-71 and Gateshead Phoenix (8-7) posted an emphatic 89-42 rout against Sefton Stars II (4-9).
Brunel Ducks (12-2) have the best win % in the South-East after they recorded a big 92-86 win on the road at Sussex Bears (11-4), despite 40 points from Bud Johnson. However, it’s still BC Crawley United (13-3) who lead the way after they were awarded a 20-0 win over London United II (3-12). Greenwich Titans (10-4) are fourth, but they suffered a heavy 78-57 loss at fifth place Brighton Cougars (9-6). Kent Crusaders II (7-7) beat Folkestone Saints (6-8) 64-54 with the visitors also losing 100-95 on the road at Twickenham Tigers (6-9). Finally, London Westside II (2-10) recorded their second win as they eased past the win-less London Greenhouse Pioneers II (0-14).
In the South-West, Southampton University Sharks (2-11) came back from a 17-point half-time deficit to beat Bristol Storm (4-10) 69-63 for just their second victory of the season. Oxford Brookes University (13-0) are still unbeaten after easing to an 81-53 win away at Cardiff City (6-6). Swindon Shock (9-3) are still second after they thrashed Bristol Academy Flyers II (7-6) 91-38 on the road. Woking Blackhawk Flyers (8-5) won 106-79 at Reading Rockets II (2-11) and Oxford Sealers (6-7) overcame Thames Valley Cavaliers II (7-5) 95-89 in overtime.
Get to any games? What are your thoughts on the weekend results? Let us know in the comments!
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