Newcastle Eagles returned to the top of the BBL Championship table on Sunday after beating London Lions 94-71 at Crystal Palace and following Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders' 86-82 loss at UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders.
A 14-2 run them up 40-26 with two minutes to go to half-time and later in the game, Damon Huffman (186-PG-85) had 12 points and a steal in a 21-6 tear by the Eagles that put them ahead by 28 points. Damon Huffman ended the game with 36 points to lead all scorers, made 8/14 3-point attempts, had 6 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists while Eagles' Kareem Maddox had 14 points, 17 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks.
Riders' loss came in a closely fought contest against Raiders who were ahead for most of the game, though never managed to pull away. Late in the game, GB captain Drew Sullivan led Riders to a 10-2 run as he scored 7 points and blocked a shot to have them just 3 points down at 80-77 with 1:35 left on the clock and Zaire Taylor made a 3-pointer and converted on a pair of freethrows to have the Riders down just 1 point at 83-82 with 30 seconds left. But Raiders were able to emerge victorious, with Matt Schneck scoring the final 3 points of the game at the freethrow line. Matt Schneck led the Raiders' scorers with 19 points, 9 of them coming from the freethrow line and also pulled down 14 rebounds while Jeremy Bell finished with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Riders' Zaire Taylor led all scorers with 29 points.
Those results put Eagles back atop the table with 26 points from 15 games. Riders sit 2 points back in second spot, but have a game in hand. Raiders' victory strengthened their title challenge and leaves them fourth, with 18 points from 14 games. Lions are now seventh with 14 points from 15 games.
There was another close contest at the Northgate Arena, where Cheshire Phoenix emerged victorious over One Health Sharks Sheffield 80-79. Despite the Phoenix leading by as many as 11 points in the final quarter, a trio of three-pointers from BJ Holmes had tied the game at 79-79 with 1.9 seconds remaining. After a Phoenix timeout before the final play, Demarius Jemison fouled Jerome Gumbs, sending him to the freethrow line knowing that if he made either shot, Phoenix would win. He missed his first attempt, but sank the second to ensure the victory. Phoenix's Gabe Haskins scored 26 points to lead all scorers, while Jerome Gumbs had 22 points. For Sharks, their scorers were led by BJ Holmes' 24. Mike Tuck and Demetrius Jemsion both ended the game with double-doubles. The victory sees Phoenix remain in the final playoff spot, four points ahead of Sharks who have two games in hand.
The evening's final game took place at the Emirates Arena, where Glasgow Rocks beat Mersey Tigers 109-72 to snap their 3 game losing streak. Things started well for Rocks and they went on a 22-4 run early on to take a 36-13 lead over the Tigers with 7:34 left in the second quarter and a 25-10 run in the final quarter had them leading 92-51 with 7 minutes to play. All of the Rocks' players scored points, with Gareth Murray leading the way with 21 while Donald Robinson and Andrew Wedemire both scored 16. Rocks' Brice Fantazia had 8 assists and his teammate EJ Harrison had 7. Tigers' Gael Hulsen led all scorers with 22 points. The victory sees Rocks move up to sixth position in the table with 14 points from 13 games, just ahead of London Lions and Cheshire Phoenix who have the same number of points but have played two and three games more respectively.
Leicester Riders took another step to rebuilding their championship winning team, by announcing the return of guard Jorge Calvo(190-G-87).
The 25 year old point guard, born in Ponferrada, Spain, was a huge hit with the Rider's fans last season, with his tenacious defence and in ability to run the offence, but also for his hugely engaging manner off the court. He was the first Spaniard to win a BBL Championship [read more]
Leicester Riders took another step to rebuilding their championship winning team, by announcing the return of guard Jorge Calvo (190-G-87).
The 25 year old point guard, born in Ponferrada, Spain, was a huge hit with the Rider's fans last season, with his tenacious defence and in ability to run the offence, but also for his hugely engaging manner off the court. He was the first Spaniard to win a BBL Championship.
Calvo was very keen to return to the Jelson Homes DMU backed Riders, "From very early on with the Riders, as I came to understand the great mix of players we had, I was really keen to make Leicester more than a one year stop. I believe this is a team that can get better, and I can get better with the team."
"Playing in the BBL is a different challenge to Spain, but I think it is helping to develop my game. I will be looking to do things a little different, add some things to what I bring to the Riders, but it is really working with my team-mates and coaches that will help make the difference."
"I was also excited to see that Drew Sullivan had re-signed, because he is such an important player in our team. He and Rob (Paternostro) our coach are what make the big difference to the team, so that just reinforced my keenness to come back."
Calvo thinks Riders will have it much tougher in the BBL next season, but is looking forward to the challenge, "For sure, teams are going to be gunning for Leicester, and it will be difficult. We set a standard this season, and other teams will be out to put one over on us. But I think the Riders can get better, and particularly if we can keep most of the squad together."
Paternostro was very excited to have Calvo back, "Jorge is hugely under-rated in my opinion. He handles himself extremely well, is a very smart player, and is very much a team guy. There are a lot of decisions to make in his position on the court, particularly in terms of getting other guys involved in the offence, and that is where Jorge excels."
BBL Birmingham has today announced the name of the new professional basketball team representing the city. Saturday nights will never be the same again...... welcoming your Birmingham Knights!
Jo Aldridge, Team Director, said "We decided to run a competition to let the fans name the team and this was a standout winner with the panel. We plan to take the team live in September and are very excited about working with a number of partners to help to bring the brand to life [read more]
BBL Birmingham has today announced the name of the new professional basketball team representing the city. Saturday nights will never be the same again...... welcoming your Birmingham Knights!
Jo Aldridge, Team Director, said "We decided to run a competition to let the fans name the team and this was a standout winner with the panel. We plan to take the team live in September and are very excited about working with a number of partners to help to bring the brand to life."
The Team's management has also been busy building a number of important partnerships within the city. Today they announce the Birmingham A's Basketball Club as the team's "Official Nursery Team" and the City of Birmingham basketball club as their "Official Junior Development Partner". Coach Paul Douglas said "Ensuring an effective player pathway in the city is really important to us. We want to create a team that local young players aspire to and a simple route by which they work their way up to playing professionally. We're confident that these important relationships will help us to achieve this and we're pleased to see the sport of basketball uniting in the city."
Coach Douglas starts his campaign with trials being held at the Doug Ellis Sports Centre on the 18th and 19th May. If you would like to know more about how to take part email info@bblbirmingham.co.uk.
NIJT London: Team England roll over OKK Spars Sarajevo in Day 3 - May 11, 2013
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Team England - OKK Spars Sarajevo 78:61
Team England roll over OKK Spars Sarajevo in Day 3 of the Nike International Junior tournament in London. The hosts of the tournament posted their initial 78:61 win and finished second in Group B. OKK Spars Sarajevo also ended up with 1-2 record in the group, but finished last.
OKK Spars Sarajevo started the game better and took 23-19 after the first period. Moreover they added 21-18 rally in the second frame and led 44:37 at the halftime [read more]
Team England - OKK Spars Sarajevo 78:61
Team England roll over OKK Spars Sarajevo in Day 3 of the Nike International Junior tournament in London. The hosts of the tournament posted their initial 78:61 win and finished second in Group B. OKK Spars Sarajevo also ended up with 1-2 record in the group, but finished last. OKK Spars Sarajevo started the game better and took 23-19 after the first period. Moreover they added 21-18 rally in the second frame and led 44:37 at the halftime. The second half however was dominated only by one team, London. The latter posted 21-12 surge in the third quarter and finished the game with massive 20-5 burst. Luke Nelson (189-G-95) top-scored for the winners with 20 points and Jules DANG AKODO added 17. KAVELL BIGBY delivered 14, whilst Tyrell Isaacs (183-PG-95) had 8. Four players only scored for the Bosnian team. Aleksej Nikolic (185-G-95) poured in 25 points and Djoko Salic (209-C-95) added 20. Faris Smajlovic (199-F/C-96) brought 10, while Nedim Buza (201-SF-95) notched 6.
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