Around the NBL 16/17 – Week 8

The latest recap of the action around the NBL from D1 down to D4 as well as the domestic cup competitions.

National Cup

Solent Kestrels outlasted Worthing Thunder to book their place in the quarter-finals after claiming an 81-83 overtime victory on the road. Colt Fason posted 32 points and 16 rebounds with Marquis Mathis collecting 19 boards to help counter Lyonell Gaines’ 36 points and 15 rebounds in 45 minutes effort.

Meanwhile, Team Northumbria secured their spot in the last eight with a 90-67 victory over Leicester Warriors as a balanced scoring attack helped carry Marc Steutel’s side through with three players sharing 42 points.

QF Draw:
Bradford Dragons v Team Northumbria
Derby Trailblazers v Manchester Magic
Solent Kestrels v Westminster Warriors
Kent Crusaders v Reading Rockets

Division One

Derby Trailblazers (6-0) continued their unbeaten start in D1 with an 83-70 victory against Essex Leopards (0-4) as Josh Ward-Hibbert top scored with 18 points, while Rema Lascelles added 11 points and 10 assists.

Loughborough Student Riders (5-0) are showing no signs of struggle in the top-flight after chalking up their fifth straight win as seven players notched double figures in an 89-67 win over Lancashire Spinners (1-4). Reiss Pinnock led the way with 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Meanwhile, Team Northumbria (6-1) were led to an 87-75 triumph against Reading Rockets (1-3) by Lewis Champion, who poured in an impressive 38 points in the win. Manchester Magic (5-0) were awarded a 20-0 win against London Lituanica (1-4) with the visitors forfeiting the fixture.

Bradford Dragons (5-1) enjoyed a double-winning weekend after following up an 87-98 win away at Westminster Warriors (0-5) with a 102-96 home win against Reading Rockets as Marcus Gooding top scored with 29 points. Also, Hemel Storm (2-2) edged out Leicester Warriors (1-4) with Jack Burnell netting 18 points in the 69-66 success.

Division Two

Kent Crusaders (5-0) are still the frontrunners in D2 after they recorded an 86-98 triumph away at Newham Neptunes (1-4) at the weekend. Amin Adamu top scored with 31 points, while Dan Akin added 24 on 9-of-12 shooting to help maintain their side’s unbeaten record.

Team Newcastle University (4-0) maintained their own perfect start with a 97-83 victory over Doncaster Danum Eagles (1-4) behind Romonn Nelson’s 29-point haul. Richard Austin added 26 points and Mark Elderkin dished out nine assists. Thames Valley Cavaliers (4-0) are also four from four having defeated Tees Valley Mohawks (1-3) 111-97 despite 38 points, 10 boards and eight assists from Charlton Jones.

Also, Ipswich (1-2) claimed their first win as Caleb Fuller netted 28 points in a 77-59 success at home to Nottingham Hoods (1-4), while Liverpool (0-4) remain winless after suffering a 64-75 home loss against London Westside (2-3) and London Greenhouse Pioneers (4-1) defeated Derbyshire Arrows (3-2) 51-86.

Division Three

Team Birmingham Elite (3-1) moved into second place in D3 North after a dominant 27-95 victory in which they led Mansfield Giants (1-5) 13-77 after three quarters. Myerscough College (3-2) missed the chance to close the gap on the division leaders after they were beaten 68-66 away at Sheffield Hallam Sharks (3-2) with Marko Backovic scoring 25 points in the win.

Meanwhile, Charnwood Riders (2-2) picked up their second win with an 83-69 success over Stoke-on-Trent Knights (3-2) as Romario Spence netted 20 points and there was also a convincing 103-62 win for Birmingham Mets (1-3) against Sefton Stars (0-5) with Daniel Belgrave pouring in 28 points.

In D3 South, there are four teams still unbeaten including Team Solent Kestrels II (3-0) after they defeated Greenwich Titans (2-5) 81-88 away from home. Northants Thunder (3-0) continued their winning start with a 76-80 success at Cardiff Met Archers (2-2).

Brunel University Ducks (2-0) beat Oxford Brookes University (0-4) 83-78 behind 29 points from Ebhinze Udoh and a further 22 from Adam Thoseby, while Gedi Juozapaitis produced a game-high of 27 points to lead Southwark Pride (1-2) past Thames Valley Cavaliers II (0-6) 67-69 on the road.

Division Four

Manchester Giants II (3-0) maintained their winning start in D4 North with a comfortable 43-77 success away at Barrow Thorns (1-3) with Daniel Pilkington netting 17 points. Leeds Academy Force (3-1) defeated Calderdale Explorers (2-2) 65-60, while Sefton Stars II (0-4) were beaten 72-78 by league leaders, Kingston Panthers (4-2) and Stockport Falcons (2-2) claimed a 70-84 road win at Kendal Warriors (0-5) behind 31 points from Grant Travis.

In D4 Midlands, Northants Taurus (5-0) made it five wins from five as E James scored 32 points to lead his side to an 89-77 win at home to Nottingham Hoods II (1-4). Meanwhile, Team Wolverhampton (4-0) kept up the pressure by beating Shropshire Warriors (3-2) 72-50 with Kings Lynn Fury seeing off Derby Trailblazers II (2-3), 70-55, and Warwickshire Hawks (4-1) earning a 53-96 win at Birmingham Mets II (0-5).

Middlesex Saxons (4-1) remain in a joint-lead of D4 South-East after they recorded a 65-89 win away at Cambridge Cats (1-3), while Kent Crusaders II (4-1) defeated Anglia Ruskin University (0-6) 75-66 as Oliver Waymark netted 19 points. Also, Barking Abbey Crusaders (3-2) beat Oaklands College (1-2) 59-52 and 26 points from Austin Hamilton helped Essex Blades (4-2) claim a 57-61 success over London Thunder Lewisham (2-2).

Also, in D4 South-West, RCT Gladiators (4-0) are now the only unbeaten team after they took down Swindon Shock (4-1) in a 91-104 top-of-the-table clash success behind 29 points from Lloyd Williams. Southampton University Sharks (2-3) beat Exeter Eagles (1-3) 75-96 on the road before losing 71-73 at home to Plymouth Rebels (1-2). Finally, Bristol Storm (2-2) edged out Reading Rockets II (2-3) with a 68-73 win away from home and Cardiff City (3-1) defeated Woking Blackhawk Flyers (1-2) 77-70 as Lewis Tucker netted 27 points.