Team Derby Claim Division 4 Playoff Title

Team Derby took down Medelynas’ undefeated season with a 90-70 win to claim the NBL Division 4 Playoff title on Saturday afternoon at the NBPC in Manchester.

Derby broke the game open in the third quarter and cruised for the rest of the second half to complete a league and playoff double, led by an MVP performance from Will Portlock with 28 points.

The midlands side found their form at the perfect time in the season, ending the year on a 17-game win streak to complete a impressive debut season.

Lukasz Siczek has 28 of his own for Derby, George Calvey was a force inside for 16 points and 12 rebounds, and captain Dan Watts – the season MVP – played facilitator with 12 assists to go with his 12 points.

“The game was good,” Watts, who revealed he is now likely retiring, said after the contest. “We were missing a couple of guys which was a bit of a let down for us and made it a challenge, but that was their first defeat all season which was massive for us. We had some guys who really stepped up, Will, who picked up MVP, Lukasz; it was a really good team effort.”

Portlock added:

“It was a good team win. It was like any other game; we do what it takes to win, we rebound. It all starts with the defence really and in the third quarter we stepped up the defence, got a little run going and hit some shots.”

Algirdas Jaras finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds to lead Medelynas, and Simas Raupys had 13 points and 12 rebounds.

More to come.

Box score.

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