Arena out but Tigers
progress
Thames Valley Tigers have made it to the
Budweiser Championships Final for the second straight year, but will have
to face London Towers without influential guard Casey Arena. The 1999 All-League
selection suffered ligament damage in his knee during the Tigers 79-76
semi-final upset of Manchester Giants, a result which now pits the losers
against Sheffield in an unexpected third-fourth consolation match.
After trailing 42-37 at half time, Giants
came back, Tony Dorsey and John White leading their revival to take a 59-58
lead into the final period. However, with the teams neck and neck down
the stretch, Tigers made their free throws and Giants did not, ending their
hopes of a first ever Wembley title.
Dorsey's 28 points led all scorers but
Tigers found big numbers from John McCord and Jason Siemon on 21 and 19
respectively.
