QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Nothing is guaranteed and Sheffield are a tough opponent especially at home but we just play hard and stick to what we have been doing, which is good team basketball, and the rest will take care of itself. “

David ALIU

GIANT’S FORWARD

One Health Sharks Sheffield are on track to finish second in the BBL Championship, after edging the visiting Worcester Wolves in game between two of the league’s top teams, who both have their sights set on the race for second place after Esh Group Eagles Newcastle were crowned as champions at the weekend.

Three of the four teams still in the race for the last two remaining BBL Play-offs spots were in action on Friday evening in the BBL Championship, but only Plymouth University Raiders came out victorious, while Manchester Giants and Glasgow Rocks were faced with disappointment after falling short against higher-placed teams.

Tickets in the Play-offs remain open on paper, but Raiders and Giants are in the best position out of the four teams to advance. However, the puzzle is far for complete, as Rocks and Durham Wildcats have chances of qualifying as well.

Raiders led almost from start to finish on the road against London Lions, claiming a very important 102-94, as Matt Pressey, Nick George, Dainius Vaitelis and Gabriele Haskins combined for 83 of the team’s points.

Elsewhere, Manchester Giants came short against One Health Sharks Sheffield, losing 86-69 in Sheffield. Mike Tuck was the top scorer of the game with 23 points and 10 rebounds, as BJ Holmes added 13 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Meanwhile, Worcester Wolves came out on top of Glasgow Rocks once again, taking an 84-79 victory victory in a rematch of the BBL Trophy final, which the Worcester club also won. Alex Owumi finished the game with 21 points and Zaire Taylor added a triple-double of 13 points, 14 boards and 11 dimes.

Worcester Wolves and Durham Wildcats both kept alive their differing hopes after victories over the BBL’s bottom two on Saturday night.

Wolves shook off a poor first quarter to beat Surrey United 103-77 on the road with Alex Owumi top-scoring with 24 points. It keeps Wolves in the hunt for second place although they’ll have to hope One Health Sharks Sheffield lose at Plymouth University Raiders on Sunday.

Top-eight chasing Durham saw off Birmingham Knights 113-81 with Danny Huffor’s 23 points leading the way. The win sees Wildcats go into the last day of the regular season in ninth position hoping to beat Cheshire Phoenix and either Plymouth or Manchester Giants lose.

But for Birmingham it completed a winless first season as a BBL club. Durham’s victory ensured Glasgow Rocks will miss out on the play-offs for the first time since 2001.

A frantic final day in the BBL Championship regular season provided delight for Durham Wildcats, Manchester Giants and One Health Sharks Sheffield.

The Sharks clinched second spot behind champions Esh Group Eagles Newcastle with an 81-71 victory at Plymouth University Raiders. BJ Holmes and Mike Tuck both scored 24 points for Sheffield as they beat play-off chasing Raiders.

The defeat for Plymouth opened the way for Durham and Manchester. And the pair took the opportunity with both hands.

Durham sealed eight position with a 104-96 home win against Cheshire Phoenix, which sets up a clash against the Eagles. Point guard Ralph Bucci had a triple-double of 16 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists.

The Giants will take on Sheffield after beating London Lions 97-86 to end the regular season in seventh position. David Aliu was instrumental in the victory with 23 points as a 12-2 run early in the final quarter helped the hosts to hold of sixth placed London. The Lions will play Worcester Wolves in their play-off tie.

In the day’s other match Glasgow Rocks ended on a high with a 94-81 win over Surrey United.

Rocks had to wait until the fourth quarter to break away from Surrey but once Gareth Murray had given them a 72-69 lead they never looked back.