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NBL Conference play-offs: Teesside 119 Interbasket 78
The Coventry Skydome plays host to the inaugural NBL Championships Finals Weekend on 11th/12th May and League and Trophy Champions, TVL Teesside Mohawks set up a semi-final meeting with Manchester Magic after thrashing InterBasket London 119-78 in the second leg of their quarter-final series.
Mohawks kept up their season-long success with an emphatic 115-78 win in their second leg tie against InterBasket London, giving them a 210-169 aggregate scoreline and a date with Manchester Magic at Coventry.
To put the seal on another good day on court, the chief executive of England Basketball, Simon Kirkland, made his first ever visit to Eston Sports Academy to present Mohawks with their NBL Conference League Championship trophy and their Middlesbrough college outfit with the Under 20’s National Cup.
General manager Trevor Lowes pronounced himself delighted at the achievements of two sides. He said: “It’s been another great day for the club. Mohawks are still on course for the treble and looking forward to trying to repeat our achievements of two seasons ago. And it will be very interesting to see how the college boys get on, because when they played the National Shield final, they lost by only 12 points after already playing another game 4 hours earlier. This time they’ll meet Bristol fresh and with a full strength squad.”
Lowes had every right to be pleased with Mohawks’ performance. The League champions and National Trophy winners were in a class of their own and made InterBasket coach Stephen Pearl wish he’d chosen his words more carefully when he entered the building.
Pearl announced his squad’s arrival by advising the club’s cheerleaders, the Hi-Flyers, that they should get behind his side because they were going to win the game and overturn the first leg scoreline.
One of the biggest crowds of the season was treated to a spectacular, new pre-match presentation before the side put the icing on the cake with a mouthwatering display of teamwork.
Mohawks found themselves 14 up at the halfway stage and virtually guaranteed their place in the next round by doubling that to 28 with a big 31-17 third quarter.
Inter’s number 7, Frank Batimba, high-scored with 32 points, but his only real back-up was Mansour Mbye’s 16. Mohawks, on the other hand, had six players in double figures. Ralph Bucci, who went on to collect the supporters club’s Most Valuable Player of the Season award, bagged 23, while EJ Harrison added 19, Jason Swaine and Lijah Perkins both registered 18 (all of Swaine’s from three point range), Steve Butler 17 and Pete Knechtel 11.
The signs were good right from Mohawks winning the opening tip off.
Bucci got the scoring underway with two free throws after being fouled by Inter’s Andrew Bailey. And the visiting number 6 earned himself another foul within seconds, although Harrison could find the target with only one of them.
The visitors were in foul trouble after only three minutes and 21-5 by the fifth minute, with Batimba the only Londoner able to get his name on the scoresheet.
Harrison and Batimba shared the quarter’s top-scoring honours with 10 each, but InterBasket found themselves 28-16 down at the first break.
With a scoreline almost identical to the first quarter of the first leg a week earlier in Essex, Mohawks were wary of falling into the same trap and allowing InterBasket to hit back early this time around.
Visiting number 15 Laurent Irish started the scoring with a two, but Harrison, Bucci and Nicholson hit back with 6 before a 10-2 run, including the first of a handful of long, long ‘threes’ from Batimba saw the lead reduced to 8.
But enter Mohawks’ own three-point machine Jason Swaine who, with three long range efforts of his own over the next couple of minutes, helped Mohawks enjoy the more relaxing half time break.
Mohawks stormed onto court for the second half with a 15-0 run to open the session. Among the points were 6 each from Perkins and Bucci and the fourth of Swaine’s ‘threes’ before Irish managed to get two on Inter’s scoreboard in the fourth minute.
While the scoring was pretty even for the rest of the quarter, there was more interest in a feud developing between Batimba and Bucci. The referee had to call for calm from the players to prevent a brawl developing.
Often in basketball players can be accused over being over-elaborate. But Mohawks were simply revelling in it over the final quarter, with some real showboating and top-class teamwork that the crowd loved.
The quarter, which Mohawks won 35-26, also featured the unusual sight of Tony Hanson switching four players at a time and five different InterBasket players sinking ‘threes’. Steve Butler, who before the final session had two points to his name, added a superbly taken 15 points, including 3 ‘threes’ over the ten minutes.
Pete Knechtel posted Mohawks final two points of the game and could have added more when he had control of the ball with 10 seconds on the clock. But with the game already won he elected to hold on to the ball until the buzzer.
Coach Hanson said his players needing no motivating for the game. “We got a wake up call in the first leg, so pre-game I asked them how they felt about the match. Everyone put their views forward and I just added a bit of a strategic touch to it. They put it all into action on court,” he said.
Simon Kirkland described the Eston facilities as precisely the type that England Basketball want to see as standard in the National Basketball League. “This venue is spot on - excellent,” he said. “It is just the right size for a conference facility.”
The final game of the season at Eston is on Sunday, when Mohawks take on the Scottish national team (4 pm tip off).
Plymouth Raiders 92 Reading Rockets 80
Reading Rockets first season in the NBL Conference ended last Saturday evening in front of a packed house at the Plymouth Pavillions venue, when, after a valiant effort to find their best form, they succumbed to Plymouth's big game experience. "We were not quite good enough on the day but we have had a good season, learnt a lot , and all being well I shall be looking for a top three finish in the League next season" commented Head Coach Dave Titmuss.
Coach Titmuss started the game with arguably his strongest five, Smith, Hodds, Cooper, Kelly and Washington and after Rockets took first possession Ted Smith made a massive and sensational three pointer much to the delight of the considerable Rockets away support. Unfortunately Rockets failed to score on their next three offenses and Coach Titmuss took an early time out with Rockets 6-3 down with just over two minutes gone. When play resumed Plymouth's American sharp shooter Todd Cetnar made a big three but Rockets fought back through Kelly and then Cooper who both made jump shots for two each. Rockets seeming inability to rebound and box out under the basket was punished by Plymouth. However Rockets Matt Eames, who has been steadily improving all season, came up with a series of big plays, first making a long two and then making another whilst turning cleverly. He made two more after some determined play by Ted Smith and then made another brilliant shot to level the scores at 19-19. This prompted a Plymouth time out. Rockets fleetingly took the lead on the restart through the superb Adam Kelly but Plymouth came roaring back in the final moments to edge the quarter 26-23.
The start of the second quarter was a poor one for Rockets only scoring two points in the first four minutes of play. A number of unforced errors combined with numerous failures to score on offense allowed Plymouth to quickly extend their lead to 43-26. Evan York stepped on court for Rockets and made a three pointer and this signaled a Rockets time out. Coach Titmuss called for his players to tighten up on defense and get stuck in to some rebounding. Dave Washington scored an easy lay up when play resumed and the ever consistent Ted Smith was fouled going to the basket and he made both shots from the line. Rockets gave away the ball cheaply again and Plymouth finished the quarter with a ten point cushion at 47-37.
Those who have watched Rockets during this season will know that they never lie down and they started the third quarter very brightly when Cooper made a big three after an excellent multi passing move. Rockets then missed an easy lay up and some shots from the free throw line but Cooper came up with another three and Smith drove to the basket for two and then made an interception which he converted into another two. Plymouth still managed to maintain their ten point lead at 59-49 with just over three minutes remaining. Washington made a nice jump shot and Coach Titmuss called a time out. Washington scored again with an overhand shot and Johnson made a lay up from a virtually impossible position behind the basket. Johnson then strolled majestically to the basket to make a finger roll to cut Rockets deficit to just three points at 60-57 down. Predictably this prompted a Plymouth time out. The brilliant come back by Rockets was slightly tarnished in the last seconds as Plymouth scored four unanswered points to lead 64-57 going into the last quarter.
Neither team scored with their first possessions at the start of the final quarter but Rockets then lost possession and Plymouth scored two. After Johnson made two from the line having been fouled, Plymouth's Cetnar made another three to take them 71-59 ahead. But Rockets put
together a great move which was finished off with Cooper making a big three. Smith made two from the line after an "unsportsmanlike" foul by Plymouth, and then he made a three point play making two driving to the basket and getting the foul which he made into the extra point. Plymouth
took another time out at 73-67 up and although Cooper, Kelly and Washington all added points, Rockets were 80-72 behind with two minutes remaining when Coach Titmuss took another time out. Washington made a two and Cooper a superb three to close the gap to 80-77 with a minute
and a half to go but Plymouth edged ahead with a tip in for two and then a three pointer. Despite every endeavor the Rockets shots wouldn't drop and in the last seconds Plymouth made an interception to score two and made a dunk to finish off the Rockets at 92-80.Rockets Captain Johnson remained upbeat: "Considering the injury, illness and unavailabilty problems we've had during the season I think we've done remarkably well and we've certainly
grown as a team," he said.
Solent 99 Worthing 99
Second placed CityBus Plymouth Raiders face Solent Stars in the other semi. Solent progressed to the Final Four Tournament of the Championship Play-Offs with a thoroughly professional performance against Worthing Thunder. In particular, Solent's first quarter performance where they scored well and defended effectively gave Worthing little chance of recovery once they had only scored 12 points.
It was veteran Alan Cunningham who set the scene for this Solent performance when he scored with the first three point success of the evening. Another three pointer from Nic OHarabe followed and when Alan McDonald also weighed in with one at the beginning of the fourth minute, Solent had established a 13 - 4 lead which they then extended to 19 - 4 through Americans John Bynum and Marlin Capers.. With Cunningham orchestrating the Solent attacks, and scoring 11 points in the quarter, Worthing had little answer and trailed 28 - 12 at the end.
Two three pointers from Steve Nelson plus a couple of baskets from Marvin Addy and Sean Hampton brought Worthing back to 28 - 22 before Solent could open their scoring in the second quarter. But once Trevor Donaldson had hit a three pointer it was Cunningham who then stepped up with seven points (including three from the free throw line) to help restore Solent's healthy lead of 43 - 26 by the sixth minute. Solent piled on more points through Capers, McDonald, Oharabe and Bynum to arrive at half time 20 points ahead.
The third period was an even affair with the teams trading baskets, but Solent's lead never looking in doubt as Worthing could not close the gap to less than 14 points before seven consecutive points by OHarabe opened up the lead for Solent once again. Worthing were chasing the game and in doing so they soon piled up the foul count. All three of their leading scorers were fouled out of
the game by the end. The first to go, in the fourth minute, was Steve Nelson and he was followed by top scorer Gaylon Moore (ninth minute) and Sean Hampton (last minute) as the hosts cruised home.Kingston 86 Manchester 92
The only match to upset the seedings was down at Tolworth, where fifth placed Manchester Magic built on their four point home victory to take the tie from Kingston Wildcats by ten on aggregate.
The Magic jumped out to a seven point lead by the end of the first quarter, giving them a double-digit advantage overall, and by the end of the third they had built that into sixteen on the night (20 overall). The home side came back strongly in the fourth, with Alan Hopper (20 points) keen to set up a meeting with his brother Neil in the semi-final, but Manchester held on for a six point win to ensure that they will appear at the season’s premier basketball event as they prepare to open their purpose-built basketball centre for next season.The Finals Weekend will also feature the Championship Final games for the other two senior men’s divisions, and the two senior women’s competitions, but the contestants are not so close to being known.
There were no upsets in Men’s Division One, as the top three all cruised through their quarter finals, and fourth placed Oxford also scraped through, but only after having to come from behind against Hull.
League Champions Torlane Derbyshire Arrows missed out on last season’s Division 2 Championship when they went down in the Final to blemish their otherwise unbeaten season. This year they are determined to make amends, and although North West London put up stout resistance in the first half, the Arrows held their visitors to just 10 points in the third quarter on their way to a resounding 20 point victory.
Finsoft Ealing Tornados are keen to repeat last season’s Championship Final success over the Arrows, and they took the first step with a comfortable home win over North London Lords. A 29-14 first quarter set the tone, and by half time the game was virtually over as a contest, at 51-32, as the Tornados blew their opponents away for a 22 point victory. Sam Stiller (16) put up some resistance for the visitors, but Malik Jivens (30), Pierre Henry-Fontaine (25) and Peter Deppisch (22) seemed unstoppable for the home side.
Ware Rebels took a high-scoring game against Westminster Warriors. The Rebels seemed to have put the game beyond the Warriors’ reach, at 61-42 by half-time, and they were still well ahead at 80-58 at the end of the third. As Alan Prescott, Danny Scott and Matt Clarkson fouled out, in the final quarter, with Barry Gooch precariously on four fouls, Westminster sensed an unlikely comeback, but Ware kept their nerve, and hit their shots from the foul-line, to hold on for a 13 point victory.
Last season’s beaten Finalists, Oxford Devils are keen to set the record straight this year, despite losing their League title to Derbyshire in a highly competitive division. Hull Icebergs, however, have ambitions of their own, and they gave the Devils a fright as they turned a 25-22 first quarter deficit into a 46-49 half-time lead, and held on to 56-58 in a defensive third quarter. The home side stepped up in the fourth, however, pouring in 34 points to take their place in the semi-final by five.
The top four in the Women’s First Division all secured safe passage, too, with Rhondda Rebels having a walkover against Wandsworth Sting, Nottingham Wildcats disposing comfortably of UWIC Stealers, and Sheffield Hatters cruising past neighbours Doncaster Panthers.
Doncaster looked to be holding the League and Cup champions, when they recovered from a 22-12 first quarter deficit to go in just 36-33 behind at the half. In the third quarter, though, they were blown away, as Sheffield restricted them to just three points, while rattling in 21 themselves.As with the Men’s Division One, the closest game was between the fourth and fifth placed teams. Thames Valley seemed to have taken control at home to Spelthorne Acers, but the visitors hit 29 second quarter points to lead their hosts 43-44 at the interval. The Acers pulled further away, to 57-61, in the third, but the Tigers, led by a game-high 25 from Lilly Mallett, fought back to shade the game by two.
Division Two Men had played two games last week, with the top two in the South winning through, and the pattern was repeated in this week’s two games, with the Northern top two joining them in the semis.
It was not all plain sailing, though, for Northern Champions Dudley Bears, who found themselves trailing 13-24 and 28-42 to a highly motivated Tamar Valley Cannons. The home side narrowed the margin to 52-56 by the end of the third, and then outscored their tiring visitors 30-18 in the final quarter to scrape home by eight.
Middlesbrough College found it impossible to shake off Taunton Tigers in the first quarter, which ended all square at 15, but they edged ahead by three by the end of the half, and then spurted to 56-41 in the third before racing away for a 30 point result.
The top two Northern seeds also progressed in the Women’s Division Two quarter finals, with Birmingham Force crushing Chelmsford Swifts 100-50, while Stockport Lapwings shaded a see-saw encounter with Swindon Sonics by four.
Brighton Magic, second in the South, held off a determined challenge from Tyne & Wear, who led 24-26 at the half, but the shock of the day came at Plymouth Racers, where the Southern Champions went down to their third straight defeat, losing by eleven to Ipswich Bobcats.
Ipswich took the early initiative, 11-14, and still led 29-32 at the end of the half, but home expectations of a turn-around in the third were dashed when the visitors pulled out a ten point margin, at 44-54, and held on to win 70-81.Ironically that gives the fourth-placed Northern team home advantage in the semi-final, where they will play host to Stockport – the team which beat them on the final weekend of the regular season. That result gave the Lapwings second place, and home advantage in the quarter finals, while condemning the Bobcats to a long cross-country journey to the far South-West. It now seems to have rebounded on the North-Western team as they face a road trip to their East Anglian rivals in a rematch of the National Trophy Final – but with Ipswich holding home advantage.
By this time next week, then, we will know the identity of the finalists from the Men’s and Women’s First and Second Divisions, and they will be the teams which will join the Conference Final Four in the NBL Finals jamboree the following weekend.
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