Newcastle Eagles joined Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders at the top of the BBL Championship table after a weekend that saw more twists and turns in the battle for honours.
The Eagles overcame Manchester Giants on Friday evening while Riders had a come-from-behind win against UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders on Saturday evening before suffering their first loss of the season with an 81-74 loss at Surrey Heat.
Reigning champions Eagles showed their class to ease past Manchester Giants in the north-east. The experienced trio of Charles Smith, Darius Defoe and Joe Chapman led the scoring for the home team as they cruised to a 96-76 victory, and player-coach Fab Flournoy (pictured) was a happy man after the game:
"We played well against Manchester and our defensive energy in particular was first class. We also shot the ball well but it really starts for us at the defensive end. Kareem [Maddox] really gave us a big lift at the both ends of the floor and we got our usual solid contributions from Joe and Charles. In fact our least effective player on the night was probably me and it is pleasing for us to win a game by 20 points when that happens.
"Manchester again got good scoring from Stefan Gill and Dave Aliu was once again Mr Reliable. I was also impressed with the energy that Ben Eaves brought to the game.
"We have a spare week next week so we will use it to rest up a little albeit we will still be in the gym ensuring that we do not lose that competitive edge. After that it's four consecutive double header weekends before Christmas and some long trips (Plymouth, Worcester, Plymouth, Surrey and London) so we have to make sure we are ready to attack those games.
Riders pulled out an unlikely 83-80 home victory against Raiders after being second best for much of the contest before the class of Great Britain international Drew Sullivan and some excellent play by veteran Yorick Williams saw them overcome a ten point half-time deficit to take their eighth Championship win of the season.
Sunday saw Riders' unbeaten start to the campaign come to an end as Frank Holmes poured in 22 points to lead the Heat to victory as the home team outscored Creon Raftopoulos's side 24-13 in the final period.
Raiders bounced back from Saturday's loss in Leicester as they turned on the style for the Sky TV cameras with a 113-68 demolition of Durham Wildcats. Jeremy Bell led the West Country side with 27 points as they took a grip on the game with a 36-13 second period and never looked back.
London Lions completed their second win of the season against the Wildcats on Friday night as 27 points from Tayo Ogedengbe helped them to a 101-74 victory.
The bottom-of-the-table showdown at Knowsley saw One Health Sharks Sheffield come out 94-67 winners against Mersey Tigers as they recovered from a 42-24 deficit to outscore their hosts 70-25 in the rest of the game. Micah Williams led the scoring for the Sharks with 30 points, while Gage Daye added 28 for Atiba Lyons' team.
Saturday evening had also seen Worcester Wolves collect their sixth win of the campaign as a 30-18 fourth period enabled them to see off the challenge of Cheshire with a 97-84 success.
Finally, Glasgow Rocks moved themselves into sixth position in the BBL Championship table thanks to a come-from-behind 87-73 home victory over London Lions on Sunday lunchtime. Sterling Davis' team trailed at all three quarter breaks before stepping up with a 27-12 final stanza.
The BBL are delighted to announce that the Bristol Flyers will be joining their ranks.
The Flyers, who will be owned by Bristol Sport Ltd, will commence participation in BBL Competition from the start of the 2014-15 season. They will remain in the EBL Division One for the forthcoming season [read more]
The BBL are delighted to announce that the Bristol Flyers will be joining their ranks.
The Flyers, who will be owned by Bristol Sport Ltd, will commence participation in BBL Competition from the start of the 2014-15 season. They will remain in the EBL Division One for the forthcoming season.
The club have established themselves as one of the most successful and well-supported community basketball clubs in the country outside of the BBL, securing promotion to National League Division 1 in 2007, becoming National Cup Champions in 2010 and being crowned as English Division 1 Champions in 2011.
Bristol Sport Chairman Martin Griffiths said 'The Flyers have already developed one of the best youth schemes and academy pathways in the country, and having performed so successfully in recent years at the top of the semi-professional leagues, it is right and proper they should be part of the UK's premier professional basketball league.
"This new Bristol Flyers BBL franchise will give the city's talented young basketball players and coaches the chance to develop and to shine at the national level. It's great news for sport in Bristol, and I am delighted that Bristol Sport has been able to make it happen."
Andy Webb, BBL Chief Operating Officer, commented: "We are delighted to welcome the Bristol Flyers to the BBL. They are a perfect fit to extend our reach within the UK and, with the support of Bristol Sport, we believe all the building blocks are in place for a hugely successful franchise."
The London Lions have made point guard Rod Brown(186-PG-78, college: W.Michigan) their first signing as they get ready to move to the Copper Box Arena.
The 61 American made an instant impact when he joined the Lions at the turn of this year, spearheading their successful push for a Playoff place. Brown is a veteran of many years playing in the UK before heading off to Europe to play in the big leagues in Spain and Italy [read more]
The London Lions have made point guard Rod Brown (186-PG-78, college: W.Michigan) their first signing as they get ready to move to the Copper Box Arena.
The 61 American made an instant impact when he joined the Lions at the turn of this year, spearheading their successful push for a Playoff place. Brown is a veteran of many years playing in the UK before heading off to Europe to play in the big leagues in Spain and Italy.
Now a British passport holder, Brown took hold of the team making the winning basket in the Lions last regular season game to qualify for the Playoffs.
Lions Head Coach Vince Macaulay had this to say, Im just so excited, we have a great opportunity at the Queen Elizabeth Park and with these great challenges we need capable men, Rod was a great addition to us last season and hes just as excited as I am about the move, his veteran leadership was key and will be required this season as we try to compete at the top of the League table, we had a job on our hands to retain his services as he was in great demand hear and overseas but the potential here is the best in British basketball and I think Rod saw that.
A native of Texas, Brown graduated from Western Michigan University in 2000 before coming over to the UK to play. Following spells in Greece, Spain and Italy, Brown played in Switzerland in 2011 where he won the Championship and Playoffs.
Last season Brown averaged 15 points and 4.5 assists per game for the Lions, however it was the calmness under pressure that he brought to his team mates, Macaulay added, In building this years team Rod was our first name down and all at the club are delighted to have been able to bring him back but this is only the start of assembling an exciting team for London.
Player sponsorship is now available for Rod Brown on a first come first served basis.
The Lions are about to announce Season ticket offers for the Copper Box as well as a first opportunity to go to the Copper Box and pick your seats in Seat Selection Sunday, if youre interested in any of these please just email lolly@londonlionsbasketball.com
Joe Prunty takes over Great Britain - Jun 12, 2013
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Great Britain has finally got to know the name of their new head coach. Joe Prunty will guide the team at the 2013 EuroBasket. He replaces Chris Finch who stepped down after the London Olympics. Joe Prunty has lately worked as assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Previously he was assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Dallas Mavericks. Previously Joe Prunty worked as a scout for the San Antonio Spurs [read more]
Great Britain has finally got to know the name of their new head coach. Joe Prunty will guide the team at the 2013 EuroBasket. He replaces Chris Finch who stepped down after the London Olympics. Joe Prunty has lately worked as assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Previously he was assistant coach with the Portland Trail Blazers and the Dallas Mavericks. Previously Joe Prunty worked as a scout for the San Antonio Spurs. Great Britain will try to improve their two consecutive 13th-place EuroBasket campaigns in 2009 and 2011. They will play in Group A of EuroBasket. Great Britain will face France, Germany, Belgium, Israel and Ukraine. Top three teams from the group will advance into the Second Stage of the tournament.
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