Last year’s semi finalists Manchester Magic were to take on reigning National Cup Champions Reading Rockets. With both teams in fine form this season, it was an eagerly awaited battle to determine whether Reading could claim back to back wins, or if Manchester would knock the holders off top spot and claim the crown.
The first quarter saw Manchester burst ahead with a confident performance putting them 31-15 ahead of the defending champions Reading. The second saw the momentum swing both ways, with Reading cutting Manchester’s hold slightly however the half time score stood at 38-28 giving Magic a 10 point lead. Manchester continued to dominate in the third, extending their lead with a scoreline of 53-38 going into the crucial final quarter. The final score of 76-58 boasted a 20 point winning margin for the mancunian side.
Winning coach Paul Middleton said, “It feels like it is the right time. We’ve played Reading six times and this is the first time we have beaten them. They’re a strong very well coached side but I think this was the first time we truly believed we could win. I thought we were outstanding defensively today. We knew they were going to push us and make it difficult but we had enough experience out there to stand our ground and get the win”.
The National Cup Finals is the first of six national events which the newly rebranded Basketball England will run between now and the end of the season in May. With inspiration taken from the NBA’s recent visit to London, there was an increased focus on the entertainment experience for the spectator. Basketball freestylers were on hand all day to provide fantastic entertainment and breathtaking tricks for the crowd at the EIS complex home to the Basketball England HQ.
Tickets for all future Basketball England events can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk and search “Basketball England”. All events, dates, venues and ticket admissions can be viewed, with option to purchase tickets in advance. Basketball England members can receive a discount on ticket prices by using the code BETHERE at the checkout.
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