Division II.1
In a close fought contest, kotwa picked up a 114-103 win over Hurstead Hustlers in game 1 of the finals to maintain home court advantage. Each quarter was pretty close other than the 2nd quarter which kotwa won by 9 points to give them a lead which they were able to maintain throughout the game.
Kotwa were led by the trio of PG Andrey Roslyakov, PF Vajnislau Labuta and SG Nordin Harris who combined to score 73 points. Labuta also added 11 rebounds for an impressive double double. C Grigorakis Yiantsios dominated the glass with 18 rebounds, including 6 offensive.
SG Gleb Kirshin top scored for the Hustlers with 21 points on only 12 shots. PF Zheng Ruibin recorded a 20 point 11 rebound double double in the loss.
Kotwa take the first step towards the EBBL but the Hustlers are still right in the series as they head back to home court for game 2.
Division II.2
The MexicanTaxiDriver used a huge 36-18 4th quarter to comeback and win game 1 of the finals 101-94. Roaring Lions star SF Simon Redding fouled out after playing only 26 minutes which may have cost the Lions the win, but full credit to MexicanTaxiDriver pulling off the comeback.
Three players scored 20 points each for MexicanTaxiDriver, as well as two more players adding 19 and 17 points in what was a full 6 man team effort.
The Lions were held to only 37.5% shooting for the game and a poor 17.6% shooting from 3. Despite fouling out early, Redding top scored for the Lions with 18 points and was +24 before his exit. But that is clearly when the game changed as they went on to lose by 7 points, a 31 point swing. The Lions offence dried up in the 2nd half as they were limited to only 35 points, compared to 59 points in the first half.
Game 2 shapes up to be another epic battle as the Lions will be desperate to tie the series and battle their way to the EBBL.
Division II.3
Team Nook established their dominance in the finals with a monster 116-58 win over Nutwood Nets. Team Nook were too strong on both ends of the court and the Nets didn’t have much chance to compete in game 1.
Team Nook were led by an incredible 37 point (on 16-26 shooting), 28 rebound performance from PF Tomas Budzius. Budzius was also well supported by SG Yip Ka yiu who scored 33 points and backup C Steve Anderson who also had a big double double with 20 points and 19 rebounds. The only down note for Team Nook was starting C Marcus McClendon went down injured early on, but it does appear that he will be fit for game 2.
The one bright spark for Nutwood was 27 points from PG Oliver Pion, although his 11-31 shooting shows the woes his team faced.
It would be a miracle for Nutwood to turn round such a big defeat to win the series, but anything can happen in sports. Team Nook look on course to compete their unbeaten season.
Division II.4
The St Purple & Greens slowed Gauson’s underdog run as they won comfortably 95-78 in game 1. The Purple & Greens won the rebound battle 53-39 as three players collected double figure rebounds.
U21 England star C Francis Padilla led the way with team highs 25 points and 14 rebounds. He was supported with 18 points from SG Baldassarre Valdinoci and PF Clint Franks.
A game high 28 points from SG Miguel Hayos wasn’t enough to put Gauson in a situation to win the game. Despite the disappointing game 1 loss, experienced coach hono will be looking to win game 2 and keep the 4th seed underdog story alive.
St Purple & Greens are aiming for their first trip to the big time but Gauson will hope to throw a spanner in the works as they also look to bounce back at the first time of asking.