Around the NBL 16/17 – Week 10

Image credit: David Amabilino/Derby Trailblazers

Check out the latest recap of all the NBL action from D1-D4 while the semi-finalists in the National Cup were determined..

National Cup

Kent Crusaders continued their Cup run of knocking out higher-league opposition after defeating Reading Rockets 92-83 in the Quarter-Finals. RJ Eytle-Rock led the way with 23 points, while Amin Adamu added 20 as the Crusaders raced out to a 29-17 lead and were able to hold on and triumph.

Next up will be Solent Kestrels, who replaced Kent in D1 this season, as they recorded a 68-57 success at home to Westminster Warriors behind 23 points from Colt Fason. Marc Steutel’s Team Northumbria side are also in the last four after Lewis Champion netted 27 points in an 82-92 road win at Bradford Dragons.

Rema Lascelles posted an impressive triple-double effort of 24 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists to help lead Derby Trailblazers to an 86-72 victory over the defending champions, Manchester Magic. Josh Ward-Hibbert added a team-high of 25 points in the win, while 28 points from Jack Minister were in vain for the visitors.

SF Draw:
Derby Trailblazers v Team Northumbria
Solent Kestrels v Kent Crusaders

Division One

Team Northumbria (9-1) remain top of D1 after they ended the unbeaten start of Loughborough Student Riders (6-1) with a 74-68 victory, on Saturday. Lewis Champion netted a game-high 24 points in the win with Siman Stewart weighing in with a further 20 to help TN maintain their strong positioning.

Another perfect record was tarnished at the weekend as Derby Trailblazers (7-1) suffered their first league defeat of the season at the hands of London Lituanica (3-4). Guzys and Ausridas Petraitis combined for 57 points in the 86-78 home success to help counter 30 points from Adria Amabilino-Perez.

Manchester Magic (6-2) returned to winning ways as Duane Morgan went 9-of-11 from the field in a 20-point haul whilst adding nine rebounds in a 95-77 triumph over Worthing Thunder (1-6) with Lyonell Gaines netting 30 points in the defeat.

Meanwhile, Marquis Mathis missed just one shot as he went off for 35 points to lead Solent Kestrels (3-4) to an impressive 96-108 road win against Bradford Dragons (5-3) with Stephen Danso also adding 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

Just one team remains without a league win so far after Westminster Warriors (0-7) went down 57-90 at home to Essex Leopards (1-5). Recent addition Darrell Bethune top scored with 19 points as one of six players in double figures to help get the visitors off the mark. The Warriors were then beaten 93-73 away at Reading Rockets (3-3) the next day as Craig Ponder and Elvisi Dusha netted 20 and 17 points respectively.

Also, Lancashire Spinners (3-4) held on to claim an 88-90 road win over Hemel Storm (2-4) behind 24 points from Mark Rangeley. The home side rallied late but ultimately fell short with Leon Henry top scoring with 18 points as the club welcomed back Nik Rhodes for another spell.

Division Two

Kent Crusaders (6-0) have the outright lead in D2 and the only 100% record after they claimed an impressive 75-92 win away at Thames Valley Cavaliers (5-1) in a clash of two previously unbeaten sides. Phil Perre had 29 points for the hosts, but it was a 26-point haul from Amin Adamu and a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds from John Shopido that led the Crusaders to victory.

Team Newcastle University (5-1) also tasted defeat for the first time in the league as they were beaten 67-71 at home to London Greenhouse Pioneers (6-1), despite 20 points, 16 rebounds and four steals from Richard Austin. Former BBL player Fran Urli also added 18 points and seven boards in the loss with Ian Berry leading the Pioneers with 17 points.

Elsewhere, Liverpool (1-5) ended their losing start to the league campaign as they held off Tees Valley Mohawks (1-5) in an 81-77 victory with Charlton Jones netting 30 points in the loss. Derbyshire Arrows (5-2) are a win behind the league leaders after they defeated Newham Neptunes (1-6) 87-77 as Joseph Baugh top scored with 21 points.

Ipswich (3-3) recored an emphatic 106-62 success at home to Doncaster Danum Eagles (1-6) behind 27 points from Leigh Greenan and a further 24 from Luke Mascall-Wright. Also, Nottingham Hoods (2-5) were edged out by London Westside (3-4) in a 58-61 defeat at home with their opponents jumping above them in the standings.

Division Three

University of Chester (6-1) returned to winning ways in D3 North in convincing fashion on Sunday as Phil Brandreth poured in 39 points to lead his side to a 97-46 victory over Mansfield Giants (1-7). Team Birmingham Elite (5-1) are second after they defeated Sheffield Hallam Sharks 58-90 on the road, while Birmingham Mets (2-4) claimed an 83-72 win over Coventry Tornadoes (2-3).

Charnwood Riders (4-2) recorded a convincing 91-66 win at home to Worcester Wolves II (4-3) and Stoke-on-Trent Knights (4-3) eased past Sefton Stars (0-7) with Kieran Jones netting 31 points to leave their opponents winless.

In D3 South action, Team Solent Kestrels II (5-0) joined Sussex Bears at the top after pulling off a 93-97 win away from home against Cardiff Met Archers (3-3) in a tight overtime battle. Meanwhile, Northants Thunder (4-1) defeated Southwark Pride (1-4) 72-60 behind 23 points from Matt Yates and Greenwich Titans (3-6) edged out Brunel University Ducks (2-2), 65-64.

Division Four

Manchester Giants II (5-0) still lead the way in D4 North after cruising to a 114-52 win against Stockport Falcons (3-3) as Daniel Pilkington netted 30 points. Team Sunderland (5-1) remain close behind as they picked up a 49-61 success at Barrow Thorns (1-5).

In D4 Midlands, Northants Taurus (5-1) were handed their first loss after losing 73-85 at home to Warwickshire Hawks (5-3) with the victors having bounced back from a narrow 59-57 defeat away at Kings Lynn Fury (3-4) the day before. Also, City of Birmingham (2-4) edged out Nottingham Hoods II (1-5) 67-64 and Derby Trailblazers II (4-3) beat Sheffield Sabres (3-4), 74-77, on the road.

Kent Crusaders II (5-1) edged out Essex Blades (4-3) for a 63-59 victory in D4 South-East, while Folkestone Saints (4-2) moved into third with a 77-60 win against Oaklands College (1-3). Meanwhile, Cambridge Cats (1-4) were beaten 75-78 at home to Chelmsford Lions (3-3) and London Lewisham Thunder (3-3) defeated Anglia Ruskin University (0-7) 69-51.

In D4 South-West, RCT Gladiators (5-0) are still unbeaten after beating Exeter Eagles (1-5) 64-87 on the road, while Swindon Shock (5-2) defeated Reading Rockets II (2-4) 74-59 behind 31 points from Chris Cole. Also, Oxford Stealers (1-4) posted a 55-51 win over Southampton University Sharks (2-4).

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