Around the NBL – Week 19

Image credit: NGS/MirrorBoxStudios

The latest NBL recap, looking at the action from the past weekend through D1 to D4.

Division One

Manchester Magic (13-3) enjoyed a successful double-header at home as they closed the gap at the top of D1. Paul Middleton’s side eased to a 96-58 win against Leicester Warriors (6-10) before beating Essex Leopards (5-12) 91-90 behind 24 points from Stefan Gill.

Team Northumbria (14-3) still lead the way as they recorded a 90-74 victory against Lancashire Spinners with 22 points from Blayne Freckleton and a further 21 from Lewis Champion in the win. Meanwhile, Reading Rockets (12-3) made it 11 straight wins to stay in contention with Chris Hooper scoring 25 points in the 79-55 win against Westminster Warriors (0-15).

Derby Trailblazers (10-5) remain in the top four despite suffering an 81-86 loss at home to Solent Kestrels (10-6) with Matthew Ward-Hibbert’s 29 points in vain. Marquis Mathis led Solent with 29 of his own before his side followed up the result with an 83-74 success against Bradford Dragons (10-8).

Elsewhere, Hemel Storm (6-11) had inflicted the first of two defeats on the weekend for the Leopards as Khapri Alston poured in 31 points in an 88-83 overtime triumph, on Saturday, countering 29 points from AJ Roberts.

Loughborough Student Riders (10-7) recorded an emphatic 57-102 victory on the road at London Lituanica (8-7) as Josh Ward-Hibbert led the way with 22 points. Also, Worthing Thunder (5-12) were beaten 78-88 by Bradford with Rihard Sulcs top scoring in the road win with 24 points prior to their loss against Solent.

Division Two

The D2 table received a shake-up last week as Basketball England announced that London Greenhouse Pioneers had been stripped of 8 of their 13 wins in the campaign (more details to follow soon on Hoopsfix.)

Team Newcastle University (14-1) now lead the league after being awarded one of their previous losses and they recorded an 84-75 victory over Tees Valley Mohawks as Romonn Nelson netted 25 points against his former side.

Kent Crusaders (13-2) added to the woes of London Greenhouse Pioneers (5-9) with a 68-93 triumph on the road as Amin Adamu and RJ Eytle-Rock combined for 40 points, while Thames Valley Cavaliers (12-2) defeated Nottingham Hoods (6-9) 86-69.

Elsewhere, Doncaster Danum Eagles (4-10) picked up their fourth league win with a 77-80 victory away at Newham Neptunes (2-13) with Matthew Martin netting 22 points, while Liverpool (4-11) were also triumphant on the road as they defeated Derbyshire Arrows (7-8) 72-81.

Finally, London Westside (8-7) moved into the top four with a 74-82 win away at Ipswich (8-8) as Anderson and Kayne Henry-McCalla scored 22 and 21 points respectively in the road success.

Division Three

University of Chester (12-2) maintained their lead at the top of D3 North as Phil Brandreth netted 30 points in an 80-65 victory over Worcester Wolves II (8-6). Team Birmingham Elite (11-3) remain close behind after they edged out third-placed Charnwood Riders (10-4) with a strong fourth to win 56-59.

Elsewhere, Kieran Jones poured in 30 points to lead Stoke-on-Trent Knights (9-3) to an 88-99 victory away at Birmingham Mets (6-8) despite 34 points from Daniel Belgrave. Myerscough College Spinners (7-7) recorded a comfortable 49-72 triumph at Mansfield Giants (2-13), while L Antoni’s 35 points could not prevent Coventry Tornadoes (5-9) going down 89-85 away at Sheffield Hallam Sharks (7-8).

In D3 South action, Middlesex LTBC (11-3) continue to lead the way after claiming an 82-73 home win over Solent Kestrels II (7-3), while Sussex Bears (10-1) defeated Cardiff Met Archers (6-7) 82-61 behind 30 points from Hank Rivers.

Greenwich Titans (8-7) moved up to third with a 79-67 success against Southwark Pride (5-6), while Northants Thunder (5-7) defeated Thames Valley Cavaliers II (0-12) 74-57. Also, Adam Thoseby netted 36 points as Brunel University Ducks (5-6) eased to a 96-69 win over Cardiff on Sunday.

Division Four

Manchester Giants II (10-1) enjoyed a double-winning weekend in D4 North with Josh Houghton scoring 33 points in a crushing 53-120 success at Kendal Warriors (4-10) before beating Barrow Thorns (3-10) 77-41 behind 19 points from Daniel Pilkington.

In D4 Midlands, Northants Taurus (12-1) still lead the way as they earned a 70-86 win away at Nottingham Hoods II (4-8), while second-placed Shropshire Warriors (10-4) were beaten 75-79 by Team Wolverhampton (9-1) as D Mason netted 24 points.

Birmingham Mets II (2-9) were beaten 49-73 by Nottingham Hoods II before going down 74-41 away at Warwickshire Hawks (8-6), while City of Birmingham (6-6) defeated Sheffield Sabres (3-11) 73-57. There was also a 77-69 success for Derby Trailblazers II (5-7) over Kings Lynn Fury (4-10).

It was a great weekend for Barking Abbey Crusaders (10-4) in D4 South-East action as they defeated the league leaders, Middlesex Saxons (10-3) 72-57 before beating Oaklands College (4-10) 54-76 on the road with Josh Ogundele netting 18 points.

The Saxons bounced back with a 76-61 success against Cambridge Cats (2-10), while Josh Edwards poured in 39 points to lead London Thunder Lewisham (9-4) to an 86-73 victory over Chelmsford Lions (8-5). Also, Essex Blades (9-3) beat Kent Crusaders II (8-6) 77-78 behind 30 points from Austin Hamilton with Folkestone Saints (7-7) recording a 71-66 overtime win against Anglia Ruskin University (0-15).

In D4 South-West, Swindon Shock (8-3) handed RCT Gladiators (8-1) their first loss with an 80-82 victory on the road with Cardiff City (8-2) joining the two teams on 16 points after two victories on the weekend.

Lewis Tucker finished with 41 points in a 75-86 win at Woking Blackhawks (4-8) having led Cardiff to an 81-68 victory at home to Southampton University Sharks (3-7) with 28 points the previous day. Elsewhere, Reading Rockets II (6-7) defeated Plymouth Rebels (4-7) 74-60 before going down 110-66 away at Bristol Storm (6-6).

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