QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I think Worcester have been exceptional this season, I think Paul James recruited very well at the start and made the necessary adjustments after the season started.

“Their American players have been very good and raised the bar amongst the English players
hence they have won a trophy.”.”

Vince MACAULAY

LIONS HEAD COACH

Having left the Northgate Arena to play one game just across the Welsh border, Cheshire Phoenix were handed a 90-77 upset by the visiting Glasgow Rocks, who got back into the playoff picture by winning the first ever BBL Championship game to be held in Wales.

Chris Johnson led the winners with a game-high 21 points, Daniel Northern scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Rocks. Phoenix’s star duo of Reggie Middleton and Dominique Coleman finished with 19 points apiece but shot a combined 14-of-43 from the field.

Although the chances of Worcester Wolves sneaking past the current league leaders Esh Group Eagles Newcastle in the BBL Championship standings are rather slim, the Worcester club is ready to pounce on the opportunity if Eagles lose at least one of their two remaining games against Surrey United and Birmingham Knights.

Zaire Taylor underlined his status as one of the leading players in the British Basketball League after consigning his former team and defending champions, Leicester Riders to fourth spot in the standings.

The Worcester Wolves’ playmaker had a spectacular double-double of 17 points and 14 assists, with team-mate Will Creekmore matching the feat with 14 points and 18 rebounds in an 84-76 home success.

Rashad Hassan was also outstanding with 27 points in defeat but despite his efforts and a late fightback, the visitor slipped to their tenth league loss of the campaign.

Elsewhere, One Health Sharks Sheffield had to overcome a slow start and work hard to eventually see off Surrey United 87-76, behind a headline contribution of 22 points from BJ Holmes.

United led several times during the game, but despite a stellar 34 points from Isaiah Tate, couldn’t resist the late surge from the hosts.

Just like Worcester, the Sharks are in the hunt for second spot and still hoping title favourites Esh Group Eagles Newcastle might slip-up.

Esh Group Eagles Newcastle are one step away from the BBL Championship title after sweating out an unexpectedly difficult victory against the Birmingham Knights on Saturday evening on the road at the North Solihull Sports Centre.

The league leaders from Newcastle, who can now clinch the title with a win against Surrey United on Sunday, overcame three nerve-wracking quarters of basketball before pulling away in the fourth period, registering an 87-71 win.

Esh Group Newcastle Eagles are the BBL Championship winners after beating Surrey United 106-58 on Sunday.

Eagles needed a victory to clinch the title and that is what they got after a 20-0 burst to start the second quarter put them in control. Newcastle will now be top seeds for the BBL Play-offs where they’ll await to find out their first round opponents after a busy day of matches.

Manchester Giants were the biggest movers as their 99-80 win at home against Plymouth University Raiders sent them into seventh position. Giants were down early but had secured the lead by the end of the first quarter and never looked back.

Their other rivals for the last two play-off positions – including Plymouth – all lost.

Glasgow Rocks threw away a 17 points fourth quarter lead to go down 67-65 at home against third placed One Health Sharks Sheffield. Rocks led 62-45 with less than eight minutes to play but the Sharks came storming back to keep their hopes alive of finishing second behind the Eagles.

And Durham Wildcats were on the end of a solid road performance by Leicester Riders as Drew Sullivan’s 26 points helped his team to an 86-76 victory.

The Riders in fourth will now play Cheshire Phoenix in the Play-offs first round because Cheshire clinched fifth with a 97-78 win over Birmingham Knights.

The bottom placed Knights led after the first two quarters but Cheshire had a game high 27 points from Dominique Coleman to help them through in a strong second half showing.