Around the NBL 16/17 – Week 11

Image credit: Pavel Kricka

Check out the latest recap of all the NBL action from D1-D4..

Division One

Derby Trailblazers (9-1) closed the gap on the D1 league leaders with a double-winning weekend. Matt Shaw’s side eased to a 59-82 win away at Lancashire Spinners as Brian Amabilino netted 20 points before beating Worthing Thunder (2-7) 77-73 at home with a 28-19 final period despite Lyonell Gaines finishing with 34 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

Worthing had beaten Hemel Storm (2-6) 90-101 away from home the day before as Gaines put up 37 points with Storm also losing 91-73 at Team Northumbria (10-1) on the weekend. Jack Preston had 20 points, 12 rebounds and four assists for the table-toppers with Siman Stewart adding 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Chuck Duru had a game-high of 22 points against his former side.

It was a tough weekend for Loughborough Student Riders (6-3) as they suffered two more defeats. First, a 95-76 loss away at Bradford Dragons (6-4) as Ricky Fetske poured in 35 points on 17-21 shooting and Rihard Sulcs added a triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Manchester Magic (7-2) then claimed a 69-50 success over the Riders with Stefan Gill leading the way with 15 points.

Essex Leopards (3-5) took their winning run to three games with back-to-back successes at home this weekend. They edged out Solent Kestrels (4-4) in a 98-93 overtime victory behind 34 points from Mike Martin before beating Bradford 83-79 with Darrell Bethune netting 21 points in both games, while AJ Roberts had 16 points, 10 boards and five assists in Sunday’s win.

Solent bounced back with a 74-72 victory over Leicester Warriors (2-7) on Sunday after the Warriors had beaten Westminster Warriors (0-8) 85-60 the day before. Also, Reading Rockets (4-3) recorded a convincing 96-73 win at home to Lancashire as Chris Hooper posted 29 points and 12 rebounds.

Division Two

Kent Crusaders (7-0) needed overtime to remain perfect in D2 action after seeing off Ipswich (4-4) 80-75 as Amin Adamu netted 22 points in the win. Ipswich did bounce back the next day with a convincing 96-63 victory over Team Newcastle University (6-2) as Leigh Greenan top scored with 22 points with Cameron Hawes and Caleb Fuller adding 18 and 17 points respectively.

TNU had beaten Newham Neptunes (1-7) on the road on Saturday as Richard Austin posted 26 points and nine rebounds with Matthew Brown adding 15 points from the bench. Thames Valley Cavaliers (6-1) are in second as Martelle McLemore recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds and six steals in a 58-65 road success against London Greenhouse Pioneers (6-2).

Liverpool (2-5) picked up their second win of the league campaign after beating Doncaster Danum Eagles (1-7) 73-89 away from home, while Tees Valley Mohawks (2-5) were led to a 65-63 win against London Westside (3-5) by Charlton Jones, who netted 25 points and there was also an 80-77 win for Nottingham Hoods (3-5) over Derbyshire Arrows (5-3) despite 28 points from Denis Scott.

Division Three

Team Birmingham Elite (6-1) continued their strong league form in D3 North with a comprehensive 114-36 win at home to Sefton Stars (0-8) to keep up the pressure on University of Chester (7-1) who defeated Sheffield Hallam Sharks (4-4) 64-83 on the road behind 27 points from Phil Brandreth.

Charnwood Riders (5-2) claimed a hard-fought 76-84 win away at Coventry Tornadoes (2-4), while Myerscough College Spinners (4-3) were beaten 68-75 at home to Birmingham Mets (3-4) with Daniel Belgrave scoring 21 points in the win. Also, Stoke-on-Trent Knights (5-3) posted a comfortable 63-80 win against Worcester Wolves II (4-4).

In D3 South, Sussex Bears maintained their unbeaten record with an 89-78 win at home to Southwark Pride (1-5). Bud Johnston netted 30 points in the win with Thai Segwai-Lodge coming up with 27 points for the visitors. Team Solent Kestrels II (6-0) are also still without defeat after they beat Northants Thunder (4-2) 97-85.

Elsewhere, Adam Thoseby poured in 34 points to lead Brunel University Ducks (3-2) to a 103-94 victory over Thames Valley Cavaliers II (0-8), while Cardiff Met Archers (4-3) came from seven points down at the half to beat Oxford Brookes University (1-5) 66-86 on the road.

Division Four

Manchester Giants II (6-0) still lead the way in D4 North after edging out Team Sunderland (5-2) in a 67-70 road win, while Tameside (5-1) moved into second following their 77-91 win away at Sefton Stars II (0-5).

Stockport Falcons (4-3) defeated Calderdale Explorers (2-4) 87-89 despite a combined 70 points from Nathaniel Akins and Eddie Davis and Kingston Panthers (5-3) defeated Kendal Warriors (0-7) 98-53.

In D4 Midlands, Northants Taurus (6-1) inflicted a first loss on Team Wolverhampton (4-1) with a 73-71 victory on Sunday. Meanwhile, Warwickshire Hawks (6-3) also picked up their sixth win after beating Sheffield Sabres (3-5) 66-56 and Shropshire Warriors (5-2) defeated Kings Lynn Fury (3-5) 79-70 behind 33 points from S Hoar.

Middlesex Saxons (6-1) are top in D4 South-East after they recorded an emphatic 73-103 win away at Anglia Ruskin University (0-8) as Mostapha Alfaki netted a game-high 32 points. Barking Abbey Crusaders (5-3) ran out convincing 33-75 wins over Kent Crusaders II (5-2), while London Lewisham Thunder (4-3) defeated Oaklands College (1-4) 67-35.

Also, Essex Blades (5-3) claimed a 95-55 win at home to Cambridge Cats (1-5) with Austin Hamilton scoring 27 points and Chelmsford Lions (4-3) edged out Folkestone Saints (4-3) 67-63

In D4 South-West, Cardiff City (4-1) claimed their third league win after beating Reading Rockets II 68-77 on the road. Woking Blackhawks defeated Oxford Stealers 62-47 and there was a 76-99 success away from home for Southampton University Sharks over Bristol Storm.

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