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Every time want aash kicking through the door a CH running out stop running out the clock I stop i a i a i yeah I yeah I monster Clash coming up it’ll be between the leester Riders Newcastle eagal one of them is not going to make it oh Mr with the
Highl oh my goodness not in my house Kim Mackenzie catch and shoot Sharon HS you’re Ro stepping out one nice pass and my Thomas both teams feeling the intensity tonight on the British basketball league there can be only one going through to the semi-finals of the trophy competition The Season’s first
Piece of silverware it’s win or go home for Newcastle and Leicester the Eagles have won this famous trophy seven times and the Riders three they face off again as the two most successful clubs in the last 15 years knowing that for one it’s the end of the line and for the other
Well it’s another shot at glory and this is why it’s the last week of the trophy group stages and in group b London who are undefeated have progressed through to the semi-finals Manchester and Bristol haven’t quite done enough leaving Leicester and Newcastle fighting it out for the last
Spot locked in a winner takes all situation [Applause] score every time they want to clash is kicking through the door I a beable CH running out stop and running out the clock I stop I am a i yeah I I yeah I I I monster Clash coming up it’ll be between the Leicester Riders Newcastle
Eagles one of them is not going to make it oh Mr with the Highlight play oh my goodness not in my house K McKenzie catch and shoot Sharon hes you’re Ro stepping at one nice pass and byon Thomas both teams feeling the intensity tonight on the British
Basketball league there can be only one going through to the semi-finals of the trophy competition The Season’s first piece of silverware it’s win or go home for Newcastle and Leicester the Eagles have won this famous trophy seven times and Riders three they face off again as the two most successful clubs in the
Last 15 years knowing that for one is the end of the line and for the other well it’s another shot at glory and this is why it’s the last week of the trophy group stages and in group b London who are undefeated have progressed through to the semi-finals Manchester and Bristol haven’t quite
Done enough leaving leester and Newcastle fighting it out for the last spot locked in a winner takes all situation it’s knockout basketball at his very best and we’ve got a couple of our own absolute Knockouts former London lions obis sooko and aania Stewart good
Evening to you both and Z wow we this is what trophy competition is all about isn’t it drama Intrigue pressure big energy and um I love it I’m not going to lie I’ve got a little bit of butterflies in my stomach like I’m playing but this
Is what you want I’m excited and like you said pressure makes diamonds baby absolutely and this game though all the Hallmarks of a classic both of these teams I know how to win this trophy they were going to really go for it tonight I mean there’s a lot of stake they’ve got
History they’ve got the Personnel um and it’s just an exciting match up all around you know I’m really excited to see who gets off to a good start uh a lot to play for tonight well talking of starts let’s see who is starting for the Newcastle Eagles as Z you can take us
Through yes well there’s going to be no change really they a six man wrecking ball really and the super vet the fine wine I like to call him defo McGill the two-headed snakers Obie likes to tell us also Jordan uh Johnson the player that I love is Austin JR has been playing
Fantastically and then Taj green yeah and for you Obie let’s have a look then at the Leicester Riders starting five any surprises here for you no surprises really they got a balanced back court McKenzie um real sniper from outside Holmes athletic guard first year Guy having a great season uh Thomas and
Allan at the forward spots Teddy buckets Allan will’ll go more into later on and then Walker just to balance everything out on the inside okay fantastic stuff well here at the British basketball league we really pride ourselves on our impartiality so with that in mind let’s go Courtside with the Eagles and here
From former Newcastle star and three-time winner of the trophy the ever impartial Drew laska another guy that’s won this competition Larry Austin Jr and he’s been the MVP of the trophy he’s been Relentless aggressive iive and being a d AWG a straight up dog you see him
Getting loose because he’s going to be using every single muscle in that body particularly on defense but right here here he is yeah Jordan Johnson if the game slows down the ball will be in his hands if there’s a big shot to be taken it’ll be him taking it from this spot
Right here and if both of these guys bring their aame it could be a party in my city yay like we said he’s impartial party in his City why not but we’re talking about Larry Austin Jr here what a player he is his performances this season have been
Phenomenal he took chesher actually to the trophy final um last year but lost didn’t he but he has got the experience at this level he is and Drew makes a good point he’s a dog and that’s why I’ve had the pleasure um to color commentate his last two wins and what
I’ve Loved is his energy his athleticism his you know reason to not back down but he’s had six steals in both of those games versus Manchester and Bristol and I just think he is a big you know engine for Newcastle Eagles just a winner all round winner you know everything Z
Commented on is absolutely true but this is someone who does what his team needs he’s had to come off the bench he’s had to start he’s had to play the three um but he just does whatever his team needs to get the W absolutely an unfinished business I think we’re going to see
Tonight from Larry Austin Jr but our first Sky trophy game on the 5th of January um Jordan Johnson he scored 30 points seven assists against Manchester oie he is a big time player he’s a big time player a violinist so we heard about a little bit earlier in the season
Um a man of many talents and scoring is one of those things that is at the top of that list he has a knack to shoot the ball but scoring in many different ways is something that um I think he’s just born with the skill to do I think his
Shooting ability allows him to get downhill like this to make tough shots uh and then even when he struggles to make tough shots he does a great job of getting to the line I think every scorer has that in their Arsenal um and he’s no stranger to score in in many different
Ways and what’s so good is that he you see him pause in his offense and his attack to the rim to try and get that foul and get to the free throw line okay well how’s he going to get on tonight it’s going to be a really really good
Game and these two teams have previous real Lively encounters where the battle for Supremacy has boiled over and in this brw Stars game we could be in for a proper tear up we’ll be back right after this Welcome back to the British basketball league whether you’re watching in the UK or the USA we have a crucial game in this penultimate week of the trophy competition as Newcastle face Leicester it’s a simple equation whoever wins qualifies for the semis whoever doesn’t goes home and keeping things simple on
The floor Drew laska is among the Leer riders for the Riders it’s been very simple give this guy the basketball Teddy buckets Allen yeah you see him he’s in his bag right now you ready for the game tonight okay he says he’s ready so he will be putting on a show tonight
He will make guys touch the floor touch the Earth or he will be able to get to basket at will but the good thing about this team they got the perfect compliment player right here Myron Thomas and he just does whatever’s needed doesn’t need the ball you need me
To rebound coach I got it you need me to knock down this jumper right here I could do that too and these guys will be able to bring glory to the Leicester Riders here tonight I mean he loves the lights doesn’t he OB what more can we say about
Tadin he has transformed that Leicester Riders team and we know that coach Rob is very excited about what he’s done for that team so far I mean he’s a big time player he loves the bright lights and he hasn’t disappointed um I feel like you
Know Drew said he’s got he’s in his bag and he has a very deep bag of tricks I think we see here his ability to score in a numerous variety of difficult ways and I think that’s what makes him a tough player to guard I think that what
Makes him a treat to play with um and very difficult to play against here you see him pulling up in transition I mean he’s just making shots that you don’t see many guys around this league um making on a consistent basis well we call him Teddy buckets for a reason he
Knows how to get it done and has just really introduced himself to the British basketball league with a bank yeah absolutely and Drew mentioned him chairman of the board myON Thomas he leads the team in rebounds and he’s a double double machine is Ina yeah Cleveland native um and this is his
Rookie season but for me he isn’t playing like a rookie at all uh really coming in with energy he’s looking like he belongs there but he’s been playing very very well off of Teddy buckets because like that you see him get the rebound but look at him he’s playing
With energy and he is you know know Finding himself and getting himself going playing with confidence OB confidence playing with Big Time confidence you know and I think um just as much as we need Superstars to win win games you need Superstar role players and I think that’s what he’s proven to
Be that’s how he’s shaping up this season and that’s proven to be a very comfortable role for him um and I think that’ll be great and and good in his development okay well let’s hear what the two coaches have to say ahead of this crucial encounter we’re excited to be playing
The game for sure I think when we sat out in this trophy campaign we understood that uh we were going to have some medical challenges within our group and we wanted to be in this position you know every game had something on it meaningful games winner gets to progress
To Birmingham so excited for the opportunity for sure there was a time where the Eagles and the Riders uh were carrying the league in a lot of ways and I think uh a lot of those games were memorable games not just for Newcastle and ler but for the British basketball
League it was a incredible rivalry and the six-man rotation has been phenomenal is there any gas left in the tank we shall see I hope so I believe so I they they’ve they give me complete utter belief in the way in which they play you know sometimes we always want to improve
Areas our play but I’ve been so proud of the toughness the togetherness in the group defensively we’ve been better rebounding we’ve been better I think that’s been important for us is to not give up easy baskets you know we’ve taken that away and that’s been huge for us and then offensively we’ve been
Pretty solid most of the season I think we’re getting better every day well it is a trophy game big energy is needed tonight over your predictions for this game I feel like it’s going to be a great battle today you know it’s going to get a little bit chippy but I just
Don’t think newcast will have enough depth they’re a depleted roster right now so I’ve got it going to the Riders and for you um Z what do you reckon I’m going with the home team I’m going with the Newcastle Eagles especially their fans get behind them I love it obviously
They’re depleted they’ve got a small bench but they’ve done it before and they could do it again what kind of approach then should coach Robby taking with this do you think Obie I feel like preparation is is a huge key for this game I think discipline uh goes a very
Very long way when it comes down to winning championships and I think those are all the ingredients that the leester Riders have um in the culture now in this new looking roster okay well after this short break we will be joining your commentary team of Todd Harris and ant
Row and remember there can be only one The Clash coming up it’ll be between the leester Riders Newcastle eagal one of them is not going to make it oh Mr with the highl oh my goodness not my Kim McKenzie catch and shoot Sharon HS your stepping one nice pass andon Thomas both teams
Feeling the intensity We have a winin advance situation here at virtu Motors arena in Newcastle Todd Harris Antro with you and you’ve been in these situations before it’s simple no reason to scheme the other team you know what you have to do this is as big as it
Gets CAU this good old fashion win or go home well that’s the situation right now has been broken down by our crack staff in the studio and tonight though we’ve got a situation what going to be really interesting because Newcastle we’ve talked about comes in very depleted but
They have homecourt Advantage so they’ve got young legs they’ll have the momentum and the enthusiasm but Lester comes in with Coach Rob pastro they got to scheme the situation they got to play it just right yeah two very different teams as they approach this massive matchup but
What you’ve got in Newcastle you’ve got quality over quantity and this is a do you know is is no other no Second Chances in this game so you’ve got Superstar status on there that will live up can L ofers use their depth as their advantage time will tell and we are
Underway here in Newcastle Ian McDonald Simon unsworth and Steven Ellis the officials in charge of the action tonight expecting a soldout crowd as this is a great one no reason to get it for this it is a simple strategy you win you’re playing in the semi finals next weekend in Birmingham and you look at this this roster you know coach studle was asked by Drew Lasker do you guys have the gas and the tank or petrol to go all the way you made a good point before we came on air what do you have to save for there
There’s no tomorrow exactly and then that can bring out the best in individuals and sometimes as well you can have that mentality the world against the world’s against us that that to that tightnit group now the short rotation it’s that you can have a belief and and fearness about you when that
Happens Taj green hits a triple and that will help the cause remember Taj Green in their last game played all three played 32 minutes with 11 points against Bristol and he’s going to have to come up big tonight he’s a talent he’s 6 for eight he’s athletic but more importantly
He’s got British basketball league experience at Manchester last year where he had his standout season as a pro and Kim McKenzie stepped on the line so wave that one off as got a little bit of look at what Teddy Allen can do as soon as Teddy Allen gets the ball in his hands
Number six it seems like everyone converges on him he’s like a magnet he’s like a magnet because he averages 24 points per game he’s an automatic scorer but really a painful turnover there for the Riders Kim McKenzie hits that three but of course that’s waved off cuz he
Stepped out of bounds oh nice back cut there and a nice finish coming from Larry Austin Jr really positive signs here for Newcastle Eagles Larry Austin Jr moves excellent without the basketball you see him there back door cut easy [Applause] finish Lester ryers going through their offense ball knocked free and another
Opportunity for Newcastle to take a bigger lead Kell only counts for two but that is huge wow and you right on only counts for two but what does it mean in the grand scheme of things and the momentum cuz Taj green five early points for him selfless back
Pass there from Ricky Mcgill and T green takes off Timeout on the court coach Rob patter Ostro has seen enough and you’re expecting this and of course he’s got to realize coach Rob and he does that he’s got a deeper bench let him run these are
Going to come in waves look he’s a lot of basketball left but Rob P doesn’t like what he sees so far and basketball is one of those Sports too you get early start your confidence grows that lead inflates even more so and you’re forever chasing the game just a minute and a
Half into this game and it’s already Newcastle up by seven Lester has yet to even get a good look the one shot they did go and waved off because Kim liny Ste out line meanwhile Mark St I imagine he’s got to keep his guys pretty even keeled don’t waste the energy if you
Don’t have to the thing you know this will be a high adrenaline type of game they’ve got a you know they’ve got the home support there were the fans literally sitting on top of them they’ve had a solid start so what you don’t want
To do is you don’t want to you know come back down to reality so quickly but here’s the the plays the good news for Newcastle as well they getting really good shots those those three scores there the quality shots high percentage buckets coming from that man Taj green
Of course when he gets anywhere near the rim it’s going to be a high percentage bucket but also a three-pointer off of his hand so here we go now the numbers are in the favor of the Riders and Kimble McKenzie makes him pay Kimble McKenzie be a guy that’s ready for this
Occasion played for leester Riders now for three seasons he’s played on the center stage he’s he’s won with this Riders team so look for him to lead from the front interesting win coach Rob said guys just weather the storm it’s okay weather the storm let their fans get
Into it and here comes Teddy bucket going right back to McKenzie hangs in the air and just long enough on his way down gets the shooters roll wow Kimo McKenzie the team captain leading from the front and he knows as well that remember that short rotation they won’t
Want to get in foul trouble early so you want to be aggressive and attack the rim Darius defo kicks it outside Ricky Mcgill and he hits it MC with a big three t five another good offense there inside they got the ball inside to their veteran darus the Ricky McGill stepping
Into that three-point shot that’s a comfortable look for him Mo Walker getting into the ACT that’s a good sign as well cuz M Walker has been someone who’s come back from injury he’s now in a position where he’s the starting Center Here Comes Teddy Allen now with the rock see what he can do with it and this is going to be a tough match up right here Larry Austin Jr is going to match up with Teddy Allen it’s a tall task can you if you’re Mark stel can you
Live with Teddy Allen getting 24 points and then limit the damage on everyone else well that’s the thing isn’t it it’s there’s a lot of everyone else leer team a lot Talent remember professionals Professionals for reason they’ve stood out in their college structures or they’ve been you know stand outs and
Other Pro outfits so sometimes when you mitigate or stop one guy it’s for everyone else to step up so the answer to your question Tas I don’t know you you can’t stop him you can only hope to contain him as Mo Walker picks up his second foul so foul trouble coming early
Not for Newcastle but for Lester and that’ll bring in the services of Samuel idoa and Samuel Doo’s been playing better as well he’s had a a more of a prominent role in the team since brailing Bridges they’re 6′ 10 American from the University of Georgia’s left and what
That has meant is just given him a more dominant role so be interesting to see how these Dynamics work now remember the the the bench will be in in a lot higher rotation when compared to Newcastle so we’ll see how that plays out just looking at the numbers as
Jordan Johnson hits some both Ricky McGill played 38 of 4 minutes in the last game Lor Austin Jr 3910 and Jordan Johnson 38 so that three-headed snake which I like to call Ricky Mel Austin and Johnson the law firm of uh they played some serious minutes adoa down
The lane goes right at Taj green and gets it to fall good aggressive move there from ad didn’t settle for that jump shot he attacked the rim there nice finish oh speaking of attacking the rim there is no quit in that dog Larry Austin Jr has never met a layup he
Doesn’t like he loves this com ition the trophy he’s a winner he’s an MVP of a trophy final they let that slide as Teddy Allen lower the boom on Larry Austin Jr W Teddy Allen showing us his post game he touch his pregame he scores in a
Number of different ways and this time using every inch of that post to get into the rim let’s be honest Teddy Allen is not a small guard he’s a he’s a well put together guard you could probably pay him at three and at the four and
Tonight Larry Austin Jr at 62 has to guard the 66 Teddy Allen and and exactly it he’s a he’s a mismatch problem because he’s a he’s a guard stroke forward he rebounds the ball really well as well in six rebounds a game so you know very difficult to guard to you due
To his size yeah and Jordan Johnson at 510 goes right at him and draws the foul as Teddy Allen got a little too close Al Jordan Johnson bumped out of bounds so foul on Allen and the shot clock now at 14 so after a 70 lead by the Newcastle
Eagles the Lester Riders Flex their muscle 1312 now 615 to play here in the first remember 10minute periods here in the British basketball league and that’s another foul as TOS green slides to the sideline to be confusion there on the leester rers defense it was a straight
Line drive there not even sure if is it K McKenzie green received a screen so he will go to the line TOS green and shoot to a 76% free throw shooter out of Columbia South Carolina play his college ball lipam coming off an 11-point performance in their last game against Bristol where he
Had the easiest night of the of the big five he only played 32 minutes of 40 holy yeah a lot of gummy bears his routine is getting to that sideline and crack open a bag of hero hit some ball get the sense that Tosh green is feeling
It when he comes out and buries a three right off the bat and then a tomahawk dunk for his second shot he’s seeing things well yeah they’re going to need him to play well if they’re able to advance now to the semi-finals of the trophy Kim McKenzie goes inside and one
Nice continuation as Samu looa Off the Bench gets his first bucket really really positive introduction for Samuel Duru that’s his fourth point up tonight and you see him he’s got that bit between his teeth as well he knows the the importance of this game and he certainly wants to contribute and that’s
What he’s done early my apologies that is his fourth point of the night so DOA now looking to make it end one and complete the three-point play and even this game up which he does we’re all even at 15 So Gone was the seven-point lead by the Newcastle Eagles as Rob pstr Squad
Weathers the storm and draws even it’s a good match up there George Johnson Kimel McKenzie defo Miguel on the wing Taj green gets it down below great match up there as well I think did a good job as Myra Thomas forced him into a shot that he
Probably didn’t want to take Thomas on the EUR step on the backside and the hustle back by Larry Austin Jr now Marin Thomas did an excellent job defensively there he’s given a coming up a couple inches there to the bigger stronger Taj green at 68 69 16 on the shot clock Teddy Allen with the fade at the Baseline still waiting for his big opportunity to explode just one bucket so far here in the first Johnson’s pass intercepted ad DOA making his presence [Applause] felt wow big men can shoot new game big men can shoot from Deep they can and Marin Thomas is so versatile as well 6’8 athletic forward from Cleveland Ohio he’s that he’s the perometer sometimes for the Riders when he plays well there’s a strong correlation between him
Playing well and Lester Riders winning can’t believe this his rookie season as an stter point that out earlier as Thomas hits the big shot but the story right now is Newcastle was up by seven they are now down by three it’s winter go home on Sky Sports This is just moments ago myON Thomas showing us the ball don’t lie coming off a 16-point performance against Manchester in their last game and he’s got the riders in the lead the rookie out of Cleveland Ohio not showing that he’s a rookie stepping up some big time minutes remember the
Situation is whoever wins this game is in to the trophy semifinals next weekend in Birmingham and the shots continue to fall in Newcastle for the Riders Goodness Me Samuel ODU eight early quick points Off the Bench he is three for three from the field and what a spark he
Has given this Lester R his team that is his average per game is around eight points so he gets that in the first period for Coach Rob p stroke and now it is Newcastle searching for answers the fo kicks it out wide open Johnson burries it big offensive rebound
There from deles who just entered the game excellent extra pass there from defo Jordan Johnson steps into that one Teddy Allen makes that one count nice tear drop over Darius defo that is a beast they do not want to awake Four Points Al for Teddy Allen darus def F
The AEL Wonder gets that one to drop so long before the veteran darus Depo who first won this competition back in 2005 jiren Holmes do a little magic there a little Steph Curry dribble behind the back found himself in the lane gets it to drop and we off to a Racer’s Pace
Here Johnson drives the lane Stutter Step kicks it back out Baseline three coming from Ricky Mill Off the Mark right into the hands of Larry Austin J he has no fear my Thomas now Teddy oh and he was trying to lob it up to him and Jordan
Johnson recognized it and tied up the much taller 68 Cleveland product yeah pretty good foul there from Jordan Johnson because have there not been a contact from Johnson we’ve all seen Thomas go Sky High and wind himself up on a top 10 play of the week Jordan
Johnson you know I don’t feel like being anyone’s poster unless it’s my Own myON Thomas will go to the line shoot two Darius defo takes a breather after getting two important rebounds and the bucket Thomas will take a seat Taj green chewing and you ever seen him at games he loves him some gummy bears he got three packages on the bench he comes out
Most guys go to the the water the Gatorade some kind of hydrating beverage nope he goes to the Gummy Bears it’s the secret SCE for I yes it must be the way he’s playing right now keep the gummy bears coming C might want to look into a gummy bear
Sponsorship back to the action Duke Shelton is now checked in for Coach Rob patter on the Riders and he immediately gets a throw down wow it’s a really good sign as well Juke Shelton of course the latest addition to this leester Riders roster played for the Newcastle Eagles
Last season 14 points 10 and a half rebounds at game so he’s someone who’s incredibly active on the boards as well as ability to score the ball Ry Mill showing off his quick handle gives back to Tod green and it’s fumbled way as Kimel McKenzie comes up with it and gets
It Forward TJ L now on the feet boom Samuel adoa backto back throwdowns by the Riders wow it’s 10 early points from Samuel do who’s been excellent for them so far this evening Lester ryers getting a lot of good value off their bench so far given the rims a workout at the virt
Two Motors Arena great penetration there from TJ lull as well to get the defense to commit and collaps into him the dump down there to his teammate the easy Jam this is a Jael and height game as you see the Newcastle Eagles let’s listen in we need some energy getting
Back on defense the whole time no matter what no matter where we’re at hold them down half they don’t hurt half they don’t hurt and there any pick and roll where we’re connected and we’re clear we connect so apologies there for a little industrial language head coach Mark St
He’s got an impassive ple players you look at them on the sideline they were up by seven ant row now they are down by nine what’s been the difference well defensively and that’s been the the message that coach Mark St was trying to translate to his team it’s been the the
Poor transition defense they’re not getting back quickly and if they’re not getting back enough in numbers and you see the Leicester Riders get a lot of joy out of transition we’ve seen the high flying d already is because the the the offensive transition for the Leicester Riders are off the back of
Misss or turnovers from the Newcastle Eagles so defense defense defense is the message from coach D to his guys right now you got to wonder if coach Rob pastro wants to get out and let his horses run because let’s not forget he’s got more horses in the stable than do
The Eagles well we’ve already seen that the bench production from the Leicester Riders already we haven’t even went through the end of the first quarter yet and they’ve getting Great Value Off the Bench so far and 12 points 29 920 as we go under 245 to play here in the first quarter 10-minute
Quarters in the British basketball league and again off the hands of Del PES so they’ll reset shot clock now at 10 great terrior defense inside and out by the Riders hands in the passing lanes and here they come again with another opportunity for an easy bucket up and in
And it drops for jiren Holmes exactly what Mark Stu didn’t want there you know a disjointed offense there from the Newcastle eagles which leads to another offensive transition for the Leicester royalties you again convert 11-point lead now mid-range jumper from Ricky McGill goes AR but he’s fouled in the
ACT he’ll go to line and shoot two mcgilla 77% free throw shooter it just looked like the body language of the Eagles was so different from that first timeout they looked Gass they Lo looked a little bit stunned yeah and they’re going to have to embrace this adversity
Here because what they don’t want is they they want this to get out of hand early cuz that’s even more so harder to chase a game when you’re short on numbers 10-point lead with 216 to play in the first of four periods here from newcastle’s vertu Motors Arena the story
Is simple whoever wins this game is into next weekend’s trophy semifinals so Kimble McKenzie will bring the ball up for the visiting Lester Riders cloud in their traveling wh with the Pinstripes great passing TJ L finds himself he finds the front of the rim and Taj green rips it away don’t convert
On that occasion but it’s a good looking shot there and TJ L will going a knock enough of those down with give it open that one was not even near where Taj green wanted it to end up TJ L working his way down the field and it’s the
Riders now looking a little bit off just going to say look a little ragged on their offense but when those shots are falling what do I know Goodness Me Samuel du 12 points now for him oh goodness six to screen got up quick wow yeah and right now is just running
Wild get him whatever they want and transition that’s really poor defense from Newcastle Eagles and again in a advance or or go home type of game you’ve got to mitigate those easy baskets lurry Austin Jr with a beautifully designed pass and a feed from Jordan Johnson and that stops the
Hring for a moment as we come up on one minute to play here in the first in the second half of this first period the story has been written it has been all Lester shot drops again and it could have been a foul as duke Shelton was trying to
Help out the official well jel is not customly known as a a jump shooter but given that time and space he’s a professional basketball player he knocks that down with ease deep range three from Ricky McGill coming up on 30 seconds now to play 3724 Lester on top they started
This game down by seven let’s point the obvious out no Teddy Allen on the court and they’re doing this damage oh it’s been a collective effort from the leester Riders Holmes gives up his dribble and gives up the ball and it’s going to be a foul
Which will keep the ball down in the possession of the Riders wow mares because Larry Austin Jr was Off to the Races who’s going to who’s going to burn more calories in this game Rob patter Alro or Mark stel coach Rob jaw has already gone through at least a pack of
Gum it’s High s Game T Conor Washington now in for this final 13 and2 seconds Holmes will inbound it to Washington he’ll take his time looks up at the shot clock shot clock is off and it’s all game clock Washington dribble Drive oh TJ long got
It too late couldn’t get it off so it’s 3724 visitors and what an opening period in this situation where the winner gets a trip to Birmingham next week and we’ll have the second period when we return here on Sky from the merto motors arena in Newcastle it is Sky Sports coverage of the British basketball league and anro if I told you that Samuel Ado would be the leading score after one period for the Lester Riders would you believe me who I I would say it was a long stretch Todd yes
Quick bucket coming off the hands of Ricky McGill glad to be with you on a Friday night tonight 3724 now 3726 as Newcastle which had a seven-point lead tries to claw them themselves back into this one remember the winners moving on to the semifinals next weekend that’s up in Birmingham we
Know that London’s already in out of group b that’s a simple thing group a that’s a whole different story nice block top two teams from each group in the trophy face off next weekend in Birmingham in the semi-finals and another great block coming from the Canadian TJ
Teddy buckets gets a nice easy layup good pass coming from Conor Washington those defensive stops from the Leicester Riders are really needing some good quality offensive transition which Newcastle Eagles have not had the answer for 39 points on the board already for the leester Riders beautiful pass
Underneath and Tosh green was able to get away from his man those are the kind of buckets that Newcastle is going to need n spending so much energy and I’ve just got to wonder if coach Rob saw this hey they’ve got a six-man rotation let’s
Run let’s run and run and then run some more well I think so because the strategy is playing out quite nicely for Lester Riders long shot TJ La gets the rebound comes back his rattles in and out Taj green holds on to it for a moment and then Ricky McGill takes control of
It Eagles unfortunate there that H misses a three there in the corner of an offensive rebound sh wow short shot Ricky mckill gets his own rebound and not going to get the the tip in it stays on the rim momentarily and Conor Washington comes away with it he’ll pull the
Three and can’t get it to hit but a nice follow and again Samuel Ado or is it Shelton that put it back this time they’re getting Duke Shelton some energy and he’s got six points already today against his former Club the Newcastle Eagles Shelton a doo coming off the
Bench and giving great burst of energy is Taj green he’s got a hot hand remember he started the game off with a three and a dunk yeah he’s leading from the front at the moment crisp passing from the Riders inside out a do on the pivot beautiful goes to his left and it’s
Teddy buckets with the follow wow offensive rebounds now are the another stream for the leester rers to capitalize On Eagle’s going to have to figure out a way here to get stops Darius defo backs his way in 19-year veteran and it’s a turnover TJ Law’s
Going to take it the coast can’t get it to fall tip nope Eagles Dodge one there Larry Austin he’ll drive the Leng and the fouls coming some really good Rim protection from the Leicester roers and that’s the difference at the moment there’s very little resistance interiorly from the Le from
The Newcastle Eagles defense excuse me but inside for the Le is completely different it’s like a fortress so Adu will take a seat after a stellar substitution stint he comes in for Coach Rob and gives him not only rebounding shot blocking but more importantly points as Lester has raced
Out to a 13-point lead under seven to play here in the first half looks like a genius right now I mean I tell him that to his face but yeah that’s the plan the whole time put Samuel in there and he’ll chip in for quick eight I got some inside
Information for you he is a genius he’s a coach one of the best coaches I’ve played for he’s very meticulous in his approach um I was very fortunate to to win six pieces of of silverware with him as my coach in my in my career and it’s his preparation is his detail to
Preparation that’s the difference and he’s certainly know his team is mapping out his his game plan so far to Perfection the way Luster’s playing right now you obviously you’ve been in this situation before you want to be a team that’s that’s hot you you got a hot
Hand and you got a little momentum heading into those semi-finals that’s exactly it confidence you know remember this leester rers team a team full of chains this year oh wait a second Shelton got his man up in the air and they’re saying no double dribble well do doing enough inside some
Of faces up pump fake good pump fake see when he caught the pass and he took a he took a bounce and he comes up and down y That’s a travel you leave your feet you’ve always got that risk of being called for the travel just enough for the
Eagles Jordan Johnson and he elevates quickly gets to the rim does a great job of harassing in the back court M Thomas able to hold on to it now Conor Washington into the front Court low pass to his man Washington surveys he Thomas out there Thomas with a head fake drives
Hops his shot blocked Away by by Ricky mcel Taj green doesn’t have the numbers he’ll kick back out to Jordan Johnson for three wow good decision there from T green who it’s really easy sometimes when you’ve got 11 early points as T green has to be tunnel vision and go for
The rim but instead he sees his point guard Jordan Johnson spotting up for the three knocks it down Teddy Allen now draws the crowd inside Shelton delest guarding him kicks it across cross TJ L he’ll step back and shoot and he stepped on the line it’s a second time that’s toing for Kimbell
McKenzie first that’s right Lester Ry is on same location as well same size Court they have in Lester right I I think so with they’re certainly having problems there the block before which leads to this fast break smart play by Taj green to kick it back out resulting in a
Three-point so it’s a 10-point game make it eight wow and that’s Jordan Johnson just pulling the strings there on the offense persist now for him oh Del PES say don’t forget about the other Del PES brother TJ La comes back and silences the crowd here at ver and that’s been
The deficiency for the Newcastle Eagles so far in this game is defensively they have not committed psychologically as well as well as physically to stopping the Leicester Riders oh that ball knocked out of bounds it will stay with the Eagles 450 4 to play it’s 4635 Lester on top the Eagles hanging
Around remember the winner moves on to next weekend’s trophy semifinals on Sky Sports [Applause] you’re watching the British basketball league on Sky Sports moments ago it was Malcolm Del PES the twin brother of Marcus Del PES making his presence felt inside virtue Todd Harris ant row with you drew Lasker Courtside as the Newcastle Eagles Try to claw themselves back into this game the winner moving on
To the semifinals in group b that’s next weekend you’ll see it on Sky Sports double header next Saturday group a and Group B four teams advancing on and of course Sunday we’ll have the men’s and the women’s trophy championship for the British basketball league I know about
You a but I love how they moved this in season not at the end of the season not sprinkled throughout the season dedicated the month of January oh it’s been great and you know it provides games like this this this you know win or Advance the drama the Jeopardy it’s
It’s just great to to be out of a little break from League Play and be to watch you know do or die basketball well the situation we’ve told you before whoever wins is moving on Jordan Johnson barries at Deep range three the other story you need to keep an eye is Newcastle is
Playing with a depleted bench really a maybe a seven-man rotation as injuries have really taken a toll on will neighbors Scott Spencer Josh W Hibert Deon Whitfield that’s just too many names to mention and Teddy Allen’s going to get the call the block as they’re going to get Del PES
For the block outside the restricted zone so Teddy Allen hopped man wasn’t set outside that restricted line underneath the basket and the ball will stay with the Riders that’s Do’s first foul this is what you got to be really careful of when you’ve got a short rotation foul trouble Jordan Johnson the
Only player for the Newcastle Eagles to have two fouls everyone else no one else on foul trouble watchs just yet how big of a pickup and you’re a luster man but how big of a pickup was Teddy Allen for Coach Rob P nostro oh huge and you know
You you didn’t know how it was going to figure out Teddy Allen travels there causing the R’s turnover but you you wouldn’t know how it was going to incorporate in there because offensively the Leicester Riders were always good this year they just weren’t able to ctively get stops and and and convert
That to wins Teddy Allen’s come in the last seven games they’re 5- two with him being here so he’s been a very valuable addition as well as his scoring Kim mcken is going to get called for the foul I tell you what Rob pster was here in studio just after they signed Teddy
Allen the 66 guard out of Phoenix Arizona he was like a kid on Christmas morning he like oh just wait just wait this new guy we got Teddy Allen he you’re going and we were like okay okay within 10 days Teddy buckets was born well he’s very what he can do and he’s
Just coming off the Canadian summer league where he was the MVP of the league you know averaging some big numbers in college as well New Mexico State University is a senior average 20 points a game just under seven rebounds so he can do a lot he’s got a big body
As well for a guard de brains three misses the rim and that’s going to be a shot clock violation despite the fact that Darius came up with a rebound so 347 to play in the half 4638 Newcastle hanging around just down by eight remember the lead ballooned up was over
13 points after Newcastle took a 70 lead to start this game and you talked about it it’s going to be a game of runs it is and I can’t help but feel that that early run from the Newcastle Eagles helped the leester Riders it made them
Woke up the cor time and you’re exactly right you know it made them you know get to a level of focus where you w they’re currently got a nice healthy lead at the moment Duke Shelton’s going to get called for the travel just a few too many steps there as he pivots around
That’s going to bring jiren Holmes checking into the game and this is where Juke sh’s got to be careful now he’s got the added emotional connection here of playing against his former club and he’s trying to do too much you know he’s not ordinarily a um offensive Creator
Himself he’s really really good high energy player great rebounder let the guard create for you y instead of trying to create for yourself and that’s how they got to this lead it was great passing finding the hot hand giving up a good pass for a giving up a good shot
For even better shot as Teddy Allen’s going to pick up that one as he tried to go for the steal on Ricky McGill it’s a really big opportunity here for newcast weagles this last three minutes now of the second quarter down by eight if they can carve themselves a couple stops here
With replies to some scores make this a real close encounter going into the I’ll tell you what there’s some basketball mins back in the studio are already breaking down this one let’s check in now with Janette quat isus Stewart and oie Soo back in the studio yeah wow
Eight-point game what a game we have here and I mean there’s so much to talk about but Obie what’s caught your eye it wouldn’t be a lesser game if we didn’t talk Teddy buckets he’s been doing his thing absolutely and for you isia for me I’m going to talk about bench points
Especially a do has been crazy with 12 points in that first quarter okay we’ll be doing all of that at halim can hand back to you both all right thank you Janette and to their point Teddy Allen with eight points ad do with 12 that’s 20 points between those two if I said
Teddy Allen and Samuel DOA will combine for 20 points you’re probably thinking oh Teddy Allen’s going to about 16 DOA for four agreed yes not the case not the case so think he’s got a lot to unpack on that bench points because I don’t know what coach Rob told those bench
Players but man he he’s getting the most out of them it was also going to be the advantage for him into this one is the Lester is death and certainly paying dividence in this game so far lack of dep for head coach Mark stle in the Newcastle Eagles saw a lot of
Players on there in Street closed not available tonight will neighbors Scott Spencer Josh W Hibert Deon Whitfield Teddy Allen now being guarded closely by Larry Austin Jr and he does attract a crowd gets it to fall OB Soo told me one time he said he just takes shots when he
Takes them sometimes you’re like what kind of shot and then it goes in you’re like great shot yeah great shot he’s consistent at making difficult Shots like a game of horse out here guys are throwing up some crazy shots and they’re falling dar’s def F chipping in well it was a jump shot just like that which got him that big win down in Bristol to put us on this stage here in
The win in advance Kim McKenzie has to give it up to adoa Teddy buckets is there and the undermanned Larry Austin Jr just can’t body him enough that’s why he’s so difficult to guard he’s got that ability to just jump over his the opposition there great
Rebounder shot comes up short TJ L gets it gets it over to Teddy Teddy bucket surveys the field goes behind the back Mill now coming in oh and just enough time and how about this come on give us something darus too at 39 I’m not sure he’s going to be in the
Dump contest at Allstar weaken but come on just such a experienced wise play there from Darius defo comes around unexpected steal for the Finish long with the drive and one wow TJ lull straight at the rack tough finish there for him look at this come on you can make
It wow was there ever a thought of a dunk there do you think it was glass the whole time you use the back foro Son Well back in the day when always his match up he’d be trying to dunk everything but Darius defo guy first won
This trophy back in 2005 he has won 27 yes 27 pieces of silverware in his 20year career in the British basketball league so he’s a guy that knows exactly what it takes to win and plays like that plays that we just witnessed will be a valid reason if the Newcastle Eagles
Were able to turn this game into a win in advance and now he’s feeling those 20 years as a pro he is he’s trying to find oxygen in that building TJ law knocks it down and that pushes it back up to 5344 so it was down to six Three assists with those six points tell you and a steal goes to show his vision there from that big man position Ricky Mill off that back heel tough shot to defend yes Ricky Mill is one of those players that he can create for himself so he’s one of the few players with
Natural scores in the league where he have the ability to do that ball knocked away and it was going to be a fast break opportunity for Ricky McGill it goes arai and it will be the Eagles ball so 114 to play full 23 seconds on that shot
Clock this is an opportunity for them as you pointed out they can get this down four six points I got to think it’s a big win from coach stle for sure it’s you know that’s where the the you know we switch the narrative on its head when you’ve got six players the confidence
Offensively is can be your advantage because you’re you’re getting more shots you’re not going to be B out of the game if you do something wrong so you have a level of invincibility where it’s been their Achilles here was on the Upp end of the floor defensively they haven’t
Been good Jord Johnson with a huge three Jordan Johnson cuts it to four big time player then again a player with British basketball league experience he was with the Glasgow rocks now calonia Gladiators couple seasons ago Kimel McKenzie that is a tough shot what a response there from Kimble
McKenzie just to settle the ship for his team as they approach the D in seconds here in this first half tried the outside goes to the inside tear drop can’t fall TJ law rips it away and there’s going to be a foul they’re going to get that to Jordan
Johnson so he picks up another one that’s three and just before the half that’s tough that’s huge and that’s not what you want to be doing as well pick up a foul so far away from your basket and he’s a player they cannot afford to have extended minutes on the
Bench he was a player that coach dud would have played for near 40 minutes today 5549 Lester on top 3 second differential between the shot clock and the game clock got to think Lester’s going to take this all the way down TJ L his pass oh just a little too
Hot oh great turn over yeah as well with a time in 8 seconds will’ll be a good amount of time here for Newcastle Eagles to get good look so a three cuts it to two two cuts it to four five seconds Rickie McGill do his
Own hard off the rim can’t get it to fall so 5549 could have been a lot worse for the Newcastle eagles they raced out to a 7 nothing lead then saw it vanished they were trailing by as many as 13 in the second period and now they Trail 554 9
It’s a Sixpoint deficit but for the Lester Riders they started out slow they had the wakeup call and then they turned to the bench and they got it down one of those players Samuel adoo standing by with our Drew Lasker Sam Sam in that first half both
Teams going blow for blow what were you guys looking to accomplish now uh we just wanted to stay aggressive and really crash the boards crash the offensive pass as well we know that they limited so we just try to keep everything poised and just make sure we
Play even with the whistle going both ways and you met your season average there just in 20 minutes what was your mindset coming into this wi to go home stay aggressive uh it’s just when to go home like you said so you just want to stay aggressive make sure that we just
Come out here and play our hardest we’re not trying to go home tonight appreciate your time Sam appreciate it thank you back over to you Janette thank you drew wowe we have a game indeed and we’re going to be back with all the halftime analysis right after This Welcome back to Newcastle where they up against the Leicester riders in this trophy game Leicester the team that set the bar IO were comfortable with the pressure of the occasion contributing to a 13-point game in that first quarter it was n2s stuff but Lester accurate in their shooting scoring buckets in
Transition but let’s not ignore the moment of magic from Newcastle provided by Jordan Johnson Taj green and Darius defo the Eagles will be hoping to turn this one around in the second half remember whoever loses goes home we can look at some of these stats obis sooko
Stewart alongside me a Zia would you look at that twoo fi goal percentage there from the Leicester Riders yeah that was huge Janette 79% that’s massive and you know why also because Eagles came out strong that first 2 minutes you know they went on that run and patan
Asro called that timeout stopped the bleeding and his team answered with Revenge Obie what’s that stand for you for the Newcastle Eagles I think the reason why they’re in the game you look at 17 assists you know a team that’s sharing the ball like that it shows a
Cohesiveness it shows a unit that is comfortable with each other um and that can deal with adversity and we spoke about him idowu what a game he’s having aan Stewart he’s really playing out tonight yeah huge um but this isn’t something new for him even in their game
Against Manchester uh 10 point points off of the bench but their bench has been solid for them they have 42 points in that Manchester game this one is 26 off of the bench is huge and the reason why um I am going for Newcastle Eagles but if Leicester come out and win this
Game it’s going to be because of their bench and here he was just in his bag OB yeah no early on I think he got comfortable inside and that led to him being confident enough to knock down these outside shots um and as soon as
You see the ball go through the hole for any player um that early shots drop now you start to make the more difficult plays here highlight dunk highlight Jam I mean you know we talked about a superstar in their role you know we always talk about Teddy buckets we’ll
Get on to him later but I think idowu was the role player that really stepped up um and has given the leester riders that extra punch Off the Bench yeah you say teddy Allen we get into him later we can get into him now because we
Definitely need to what a player I mean this is something like we said at the top of the game he is so critical to that Leicester Riders team isenia yeah and the thing is he’s using his strength you can see here bodies Austin Jr and
The thing is Austin JR isn’t a small guy you know a strong um but I really like his versatility we spoke about it the reason why we can say over and over again why he’s called Teddy buckets this is why I’m loving his intensity and you
Can see his energy yeah I mean I feel like he’s just able to score in such a pleora of ways hey you see him coming off the rebound um and that allows other guys also to get involved in the game here one of his patented tough mid-range
Finishes um I mean you know he really really just exposes the matchup here you know Larry Austin he’s a stronger guard he leads uh the trophy in rebounds but he’s able to muscle him out grab a rebound and finish over the smaller Defender just makes it difficult to
Match up with you know if it’s only a six-point game I spoke about moments of magic we have seen that from the Eagles Taj green being one of those players that’s doing that he’s going to be critical in this second half Taj green has been a bright spot you know um he’s
Done done an absolutely great job here knocking down the early three which I think unlocks a lot of different elements to his game and after that this is what we’re used to seeing him doing running the floor he runs like a gazelle he runs in transition he finishes
Extremely well and here you see him trying to get that six man involved get the crowd involved um this shooting is something I don’t think it’s his goto but he has been playing well he’s been shooting well he’s been doing a lot of the little things he’s leading the
Comeback for these guys yeah absolutely we look at some of the plays that have happened in this game Isa some really key plays right mhm where do we even start where even start well here we had to put this in which is really good Taj green drives down the middle draws all
The defense look at that they sucked it out to him and then a lovely three-point shot um which was really a momentum play uh that Newcastle had and I started to see them come back here this is what you love and you know basketball is a game
Of momentum and uh ups and downs and and Newcastle definitely came back but this is what I want to talk about why I call him a fine wine snuck behind Teddy bucket stole the ball Obie thought they he was going to blow a tire but no he is
Doing very well and that’s somebody that you want to rely on yeah someone you want to rely on and for Teddy Buck is he didn’t know what was going on just then you got defo Elder Statesman Elder Statesman making it happen he’s got the Steve Harvey hairline we love to see it
But you know he’s been there he’s been in a trophy he’s won before he’s an experienced player um and there I think he’s showing Poise and showing that he’s been there before and showing up for his team brilliant stuff well the score is Newcastle 49 Leicester 55 in his crucial
Group being count only six points in it in this British Basketball League trophy competition remember the winner will go through to the semi-finals next week in Birmingham and we’ll be back with the second half right after This Welcome back to the British Basketball League trophy competition whether you’re watching in the UK or the USA you join us at halim in this critical matchup between Newcastle and Leicester currently Leicester lead by six it’s 4955 and Group B is fairly straightforward the winner of this game
Joins the London in the semi-finals next weekend however group a is a lot more complicated last night s visit calonia and in a must win game for the Scots the defending trophy Champions prolonged their stay in the competition by inflicting a statement 25o win over the visiting s scorches incredibly that
Result has made the permutations for this weekend’s final group a fixtures more straightforward not my words the words from a man with a very big basketball brain Dan routage he’s got his calculator Abacus everything he needs out to make this work for us thank you very much Jette yes he has
Got a lot more straightforward thanks to the result last night that’s not great news for the Plymouth City Patriots though because they are out as a result of that victory for calonia last night let’s have a look at the standings going into the final round of games cheshi
Calonia all with two wins but having played different amounts of games Sheffield despite being bottom not yet out of it let’s go to the fixtures and see what we have left to play the most important game is the first one one sorry against chesher cuz the winner of
That is guaranteed to go through here’s what each of the teams need sorry need a win defeat and they are out only a win will do for them cheshier they need one win can come in either game if they don’t win any games then if Plymouth win chesher will still get through Sheffield
Well they need a lot they need Sur to win they need to win both their games and they need to beat cheshier by 14 points calonia have got a really good chance if chesher win calonia or all the way through if chesher lose twice and Plymouth win then they still have a
Chance as long as Sheffield don’t win by 13 so last year’s finalists are probably the favorites to get through to the semi-finals this year back to you Janette ah as always thank you Dan told you’s got a big basketball brain but one thing that is key they are all trying to
Get through to Birmingham next weekend the British basketball league is unbeatable join me at the 2024 British Basketball League trophy finals the 27th and the 28th of January the weekend of unbeatable basketball and entertainment oh my good watch on Skys Sports and YouTube Oh What A
J so exciting you’ll be there Z live right in there how excited are you I’m so excited because um they bring the fireworks the fire comes out but also just the atmosphere of Birmingham they do a wonderful job yeah like we say both of these teams know how to get into that
Final to win that trophy OB what are they going to have to do though to make sure they can get there I feel like both teams are going to have to just sort of buckle down and and show some Git You know with it’s all about just doing whatever is necessary wherever the
Points come from wherever the rebounds come from just whoever’s going to step up put them on the floor and get the job done okay well let’s see how this second half is going to play out is due or die Newcastle and Leicester Todd Harris and that row can take you
Through thank you very much Janette appreciate your thoughts and the crew that you’re here with the Zania and oie and well and we had a chance now to dissect what we saw in the first half uh the first thing that strikes you is is Lester on Pace for 100 points that’s a
Lot of points in one game it is just to reemphasize these are 10-minute quarters not 15minute quarters so yes way too high scoring for this Newcastle eagles they going have to be tighter defensively and what all he said they just need to show more grit on the ends
Of the floor if your coach Rob patter ostra what do you telling your team much of the same it was a very Immaculate well executed half from them I thought they did really well both ends of the floor especially offensively getting good shots and a nice way to start the
Second half as Teddy Allen kicks it out to myON Thomas he buries the three and look at this 5849 so a great start as Lester ryers looking to put this thing away early remember the winner moving on punching their ticket in to the semifinals of the trophy Teddy Allen now controlling the
Ball in the front Court Jordan Johnson stay wiom Jordan Johnson again playing with three fouls remember only five fouls in the British basketball league not like six in the NBA Thomas goes in his shot is swatted but not before he is fouled it’s been a positive start very early of
Course in this third quarter but it’s the Leicester royes who have that pep in their step extending their lead now the task now is for Mark stel and’s Newcastle Eagles to fight their way into this one just before the start of the second half he caught up with our Drew
Lasker CO’s game is living up to the billing but what adjustment need to be made from your side to make up the difference yeah I thought defensively the second quarter was was more of us you know I thought that we dictated did the tempo a bit better showed some of
That defensive uh toughness rotation to thr a little bit better defensively Manor zone so we need two more quarters like that second one defensively thanks for your time coach thanks and you were all on that ant row you said their defense especially in transition was just not up to par no it
Wasn’t and there’s there’s a couple reasons for that of course they’re trying to preserve some energy will there be a short rotation but also they don’t want to get in foul trouble so they’re not being they’re not taking any risks on the defensive end and what that
Means is rest of rers get an easier shot shot clock at three and somehow Larry Austin Jr shot clock was at three and he was outside the three-point Arc and he gets a layer unbelievable and that’s what he wants to do he wants to get to the rim Mo Walker the opposing Center
That was mismatched on Larry Austin Jr want to force him into a jump shot there and not let him get all the way to the rim easier something than done yes Walker thought about that 15-footer gives it up and it’s going to be myON Thomas now driving the
Lane and just point blank rage he can’t get it to fall Jordan Johnson hustles with it comes up short there and it’s going to stay with the Eagles last Touch by the Riders well rare error there from Jordan Johnson because he’s he has excellent Vision there’s a reason why
He’s one of the better players in the league as a assist per game this is a ball usually would give up because tus green has a dunk yeah he dumps it to his big man [Applause] there coach Rob P asro continuing to question that last call the official say enough
Of that and they’re going to call the foul on taj green or Darius defo down below either way it’s a wasted possession for the Newcastle Eagles 5851 coming up on 8 minutes to play here in the third winner moving on to the semifinals next weekend in Birmingham for the trophy
Championship right now Lester seems like they are kind of caught in in no man’s land not sure where the offense is going not the way they had that free flowing offense once they got down by seven and Lester now just seems like okay who’s going to take the shot playing right
Into the hands of the Eagles and it’s going to be another foul going the way of the New Castle Eagles so they stopped the clock slow the pace down just a little bit they Trail by seven great play here from riie you see him just change Pace get right through the
Defense and get dumped down lar J is excellent at moving about the basketball you see him there creeping on that Baseline in a perfectly timed cut as he saw his teammate McGill drive to the rim so it will be Larry Austin Jr that goes to the line 64% free throw shooter
Coming off from 18-point performance against Bristol where he played 39 minutes and 10 seconds of that 40 minute Affair wow look for him to play a prominent role in this game he’s the player one of the few players on court that’s won the MVP of a trophy final got
To cheser Phoenix in the final last year willing them all the way to the final he had some amazing performances in the semi-final and quarterfinals to get there so a thin bench for the Newcastle Eagles but they’re still in this only down by five now under 7 and half to
Play in the third Kim McKenzie throws it right into the hands of Ricky Mcgill and Mill says thank you very much I’ll take that and how about this for a three Off the Mark and there’s going to be a foul away from the ball and I think it’s going to go against
Newcastle that was a good decision from Ricky McGill on The Fast Break nice dump down pass here to Jordan Johnson who he makes this to it’s a two-point game get looks like Tosh green with a kind of a Ticky tack push so he is going to have to take a
Seat said foul trouble is going to be one of those things that you’re going to have to be mindful of three fouls now for TSH green who’s leaving the yeah not even leaving he’s leaving the bench he’s not just leaving the [Applause] [Applause] game Al Del PES is now checked in for Mark studle it’s a pivotal Point under seven to play five-point lead kibble McKenzie goodness showing up it’s a big one off that screen that screen’s able to generate him so much space there and that sort of side dribble gives him even
More space to get that shut off Dr Nemesis guards to Oh I thought he got away with a foot drag but he just doesn’t have the power to put that one in that would have been a huge admire and Thomas connected on that three back and forth they go Larry Austin Jr now
Waiting and a good pass leads to the duck really good pass and Del PES just goes straight down the middle Lester R is this time falling asleep on the defensive [Applause] end McKenzie is kind of doing it all and and you notice that Jordan Johnson not playing the type of Defense he would normally play saddled with three fouls that’s exactly it Todd that’s the massive difference and Kim mcken he taking full advantage of it Johnson’s deep p through is answered
We got ourselves a ball game here back to 5 6358 Lester they just keep trading bucket that favors the Riders and Teddy buckets but now newcastle’s got to come up with a stop and there it Is Lorry Austin dumps it off and looked like it could have been an and one as Malcolm deles is fouled he’ll go to the line Del PES 60% free throw shooter it stops the clock gives the Newcastle Eagles an opportunity to take a deep breath wow and for all the good things
That the leester rers have done today they they have been a little careless with the basketball that’s their 13th turnover just to put that into perspective they average 13.4 turnovers per game so really high on the the turnover side of things at the moment for the Leicester Riders quarter and a
Half still to play as Del PES misses the first one trying to close this down now to a fourpoint ball game misses the second so an opportunity there to close it to a three-point one possession game and they can’t get it done now Lester got to get some kind of
Offensive flow going and who do they go to Samuel probably not the shot coach Rob wanted to take but the way he’s been shooting 12 points in the first half why not yeah this was the shot you wanted in the first half but of course a lot of
Time has passed since then but no already shot the shot clock great pass from Ricky Mill goes out of bounds as deles couldn’t finish the deal that’s been the major difference between these two clubs the interior protection has been strong from the Leicester Riders my and Thomas meeting Del PES at The Rim
There wow waiting for to take control of this game as it remains a fivepoint ball game Teddy Allen now he is fouled on the drive and is he going to go to the line looks like he’s going to get the two shots more importantly it comes up
Hobble just a little bit they could not afford to lose Mr buckets oh and you see 450 to play in the third 6358 we come back to Virtue Motors Arena Teddy all have two shots you are watching the British B basketball league on Skys Sports and the pride of New Mexico State Teddy Allen steps up to the line an 86% free throw shooter coming off a 21o performance against the Manchester Giants in the last game they’re counting on him big not it’s not going to be a shooting foul they w that off so it’s
Going to be inbounds to the Leicester riders with a shot clock at 14 the officials looked at that said well not quite in the act of shooting although Teddy did try to sell it 450 to play in the third fivepoint lead and jiren Holmes makes it an eight-point lead wow execut to
Perfection there they got jiren Holmes one of the lead scores this yearin 13 points per game it’s an open one in the corner and on the kick it’ll stay with the Eagles shot clock at 15 well this I always say this is like one of those critical junctures and it
Looks like someone’s got to take control of this game someone’s got to go on a run because just trading buckets it’s not going to do any good for the Eagles no it’s not just as Eagles keep knocking as well there a shot there green visit to the locker room
Pays dividends as he buried a three in front of the Lester Riders what do you think it was you think he went to get some more gummy BS he could have got have G out the Concord said couple packs of gummy bears put it on my tab that’s
Translate to a three-point bucket T green 14 points personal now for him and they passing now from the Riders we saw this in the first half their Sharpshooter can’t get it to fall Here Comes Larry Austin Jr one of the quickest players in the BBL he’ll go
Right to the rim can’t get it to fall and Taj green tries to throw it off one of the Riders Teddy Allen comes up with it but it looks like he was on the line or the foul is called looks like the foul is going to be called on Larry
Austin Jr on the blockout goodness man it’s a seven block for the leester Riders they really protected that paint while we have a break in the action let’s check in court side with Drew Lasker hey guys guys this rivalry goes back over 10 years and we use the word
Restored because there’s nobody left I’m here on the sideline ant row is there in the studio there’s only two left back for those rivalries and that’s Rob pastro Darius defo these are two guys that’s played each other eight times in finals but the trophy count Darius has
Seven Rob has three and there’s about 13 minutes left to see who can add to that tally Drew lasar I got to wonder being back in Newcastle they probably treat you like a king you don’t pay for a dinner when you’re in town do you I pay
For my bills I hope they can help me with that he’s Newcastle royalty isn’t he true I still remember with those battles bu we’re friends now though we’re friends we can say hands we can have dinner we can have a drink but back in those days it was no love loss
Andro thank you to Drew Lasker back in Newcastle I love him in Newcastle 68-61 340 to play in the third Jordan Johnson goes Baseline Taj green left open at the top he’ll launch the three three and Kimel McKenzie says let’s go back and run it Teddy buckets he pulls the trigger he’s off the mark momentarily but a nice
Put back Samuel oouu Off the Bench make it 14 points good activity there from Samuel oo it’s a bad shot there from Teddy Allen but he makes those types of shots it’s it’s only bad if you miss true 7061 Del PES got too far into the rim
Actually blocked by the rim but it will stay with the Eagles 14 seconds on the shot clock Ricky mcel was on an excellent job today providing for his teammates he’s on six assist and Del PES really should do better there they’re going to get a foul down
Below looks like Teddy Allen’s going to pick that one up so Allen 21 minutes played 14 points six of nine from the field he’s going to take a seat banged up a few moments ago on that play didn’t get the foul shots he’ll take a seat maybe for the
Final three minutes nice pass to the inside good ball Movement by the Eagles and it does not in result in a three looks like it is going to result in a Kimble McKenzie finger roll he saw Taj green coming said I going to make quick work of this that’s exactly what
Happened there and Kimble Mckenzie was already to to the races and T green was not catching him Timeout on the court 7261 are the Riders going to start pulling away 251 to play in the third from The Virtue Motors Arena teams now going to talk this one over and Teddy is not
Happy nor is Taj it’s not uncommon as well you know what in in part of these types of fixtures and you know your emotions get get caught up in the moment that could be for the positive and the negative as well you know you can get the best out
Of your players if they Channel their emotion but you need some level of emotion in order to to to excel in succeed in games like these it’s always a tough situation to see who responds how when the when the spotlight is the brightest and of course this is the
Biggest Spotlight so far in the British basketball league because the winner of this game moves on to Birmingham well that’s it top in January now and this is the biggest game of the season so far you know of course teams plot away and they’re working to get good seeding in
The league table but this is a a Do or Die type of game and that’s why I love the the break here for the for the trophy because we we we get this is a treat to watch the this level of intensity and and as you see the
Emotions pouring over there from the court this is a quite a rare instance in sport unless you’re looking at the the very final championship game big matchups in group Bay of course Sur and chesher that’s the feature game on Saturday you can see that on the YouTube
Channel at 5:00 then it’s the shefield sharks taking on the Plymouth City Patriots and all the permutations of what can happen in group number a will play out with chesher playing Sheffield again bottom line is chesher is probably in the best spot but can’t believe I’ve been saying this but calonia still with
A real shot remember they were two games down 0 and2 in the trophy in group number eight and they come storming back yeah sometimes it’s just the the way that the fixtures land as well you of course you’ve got to win enough games to to advance but calonia seems to be the
The Fortunes in their in their hands Dan rler doing a great job at halftime expressing and explaining everything that needs to happen for those teams to get themselves in and I’m sure all the coaches all the staff have done the homework but again it’s a little cliche
Ant the coach are going to say one game at a time guys don’t worry about what will happen to the other team let’s just play our game take care of our business it’s Kimbell Kimbell McKenzie takes care of his business for the tune of three he has been excellent today he’s
Went about in such an efficient manner Kimble McKenzie 17 points seven for seven from the field answer right back from Ricky McGill three for a two and then you see the point you were talking about earlier in the period they’re just trading buckets at this point and and you look
At the scor that’s fine Lester will be happy to trade buckets with you for another 12 minutes Teddy Allen now on the bench jiren Holmes drives mid floater can’t get it to fall Darius theil comes down with a rebound here come the Eagles big opportunity now they
Got to get this thing into single digits before the fourth period if they going to have any shot remember they’re playing with that depleted bench only six players really going for Newcastle tonight you see McKenzie with 17 Allen with 14 Ado with 14 TJ law coming off
The bench giving you eight yeah it’s been a really good spread contribution from the leester rers and led by their team captain Kimo McKenzie again a a perfect 17 points for him so far another Point missed as Del PES missed his two 64% free throw shooter Le
Austin junor misss the front end of that he gets the second one so the claw one back coming up on 90 seconds to play and then it’s 10 minutes in the fourth to determine who’s going to Birmingham next Saturday you know look at the brackets and and there’s great parody throughout
The British basketball league Antro but it would not surprise me if the championship next Sunday there’s another three is between two teams from Group B yeah I think you’re uh I would agree with that that statement there I think Group B has been the the group of death
You can get out of it you’ve got a good chance to win the competition Jordan Johnson’s love just a little too high Kim McKenzie says no love when you can do that wow backto back threes and that is a back breaker for Mark stel and the Eagles goodness me 20 points now for
Kimble mckenzie8 for eight for the field what was an eight-point lead is now ballooned up to 17 points 81 64 Lester on top with a minute three to play here in the Third okay away let me up here let me have you side let me have you side now let me have you here okay let me have top here so both coaches trying to figure something out here coach Rob P trying to close this thing out Kim McKenzie I mean when
You’re feeling you’re feeling it a exactly it and Samuel do has been a great supporter for Kim McKenzie’s production as well look at this this is the confidence too to to be to step into that shot poen up in transition and you remember as well the very first play of this game
Kim maen hits a but just STS out of bound so even the shots don’t count going in for this guy Kim McKenzie should have 23 points not just 20 let’s let’s be honest here 8164 if you’re just joining us on Sky Sports Welcome to The Virtue Motors Arena whether you’re
Watching in the US or here in the UK Newcastle was up 7 nothing to start this game and since then it has been all Lester Riders Newcastle did Mount a nice comeback in the second period they got it down to 554 9 at halftime and I tell
You what Antro I just have this feeling this is a this is a case of just running out of gas Newcastle just the mind is willing but the legs six-man rotation no I think you’re uh you’re right with that one cuz this third quarter has been
Really a a chore for them they’re losing it so far 26 to 15 Jaren Holmes he tees up can’t get it to fall Darius defo comes away with it back come the Eagles and they will run TJ law will bump Jordan Johnson outside he’s calling for the
Continuation and he’s going to get the two and the good news for Newcastle we got the moment they’re in the bonus and go to the free line and stop the clock T green got about 45 second break it looks like he’s coming in for Jordan Johnson so Jordan Johnson will
Probably get about a minute and then he’ll be back back [Applause] in just enough time to get yourself some gummy bears we’ll see how that hands out for him as we enter the final stages of this game you know we half timee we were talking about you know who we thought or who we thought deserved to be in
Birmingham next weekend and you can make a case for Newcastle and Lester of course if Newcastle had one or two more healthy players ready to go this might be a different game but I think it’s starting to show its head of just the depth that Lester has on that bench yeah
And you you obviously need the the the the skills the the players the the roster the coaching stuff but you need a little bit of luck too you know bad luck or good luck they can work in contrasting ways and they can be a difference and whether you win or lose a
Piece of silver war in a season Teddy Allen icing up that left knee just a little bit we’ll see if he comes in to play any more in this game as Kim McKenzie is going to take matters into his own hand kicks it over to jiren
Holmes shot clock at two got to get a shot off just beats the shot clock and the game clock expires as time green takes away the rebound 8166 Riders lead it what does Newcastle have left remember the winner moving on to Birmingham it’s a 15-point lead for the visitors and Mark stel is going to have to pull out one of his great coaching performances to get his team back in this with 10 minutes to play in the ball game anro give them some hope if you’re a Newcastle Eagle fan and that’s what he
Needs to do to his players he just needs to instill belief in them you know we’ve seen crazier things in basketball you get on a a good 80 run here you apply pressure to to the Leicester Riders and see what happens but you know it’s the
The level of players he has in his his team they can make shots but where it’s been so disappointing for them is on the defensive end they really haven’t been able to to stop this Lester Riders team Washington TJ law o on a frozen rope and just knocks that down for
Another three such a big shot there because it it’s a statement shot it sets the tone for the rest of the quarter not only do you have to call back was down 15 now it’s 18 Ricky McGill answers back his shot off off the back of the rim and the
Riders looking to run again with jiren Holmes miscommunication thought Conor Washington was going to go to the corner he stopped that’s what one way that the Leicester Riders can get back into this game is excuse me newcast can get back into this game is Lester rers come in
Those turnovers they’re going to have to commit a lot of turnovers here and Newcastle to make a lot of shots here to close the gap Jordan Johnson’s shot is partially moed and I think part of the problem for Newcastle and correct me if I’m wrong it looked like they really
Adjust their defense when George Johnson picked up that that third foul in the first half yeah I think so well there certainly a factor Samuel do had a hot hand in the first half 12 points right now Seated on 14 points with Larry Austin Jr streaking to the front Court
Taj green it’s a good place to start remember he hit a three to start the game and a dunk but since then he has cooled off and a red hul start didn’t 11 points at half time for him he’s on 14 now you just get the sense that maybe
Newcastle’s been playing a little bit with house Money Hold on they need more of those looks to be that t green still got the legs yeah effortless dunk there from him in the open floor looks good on the highlights but if only that dunk was worth 10 points
That would be much better and you sense Lester Riders now their offense they’re taking their time running a little more clock TJ law with 8 seconds on the shot clock lets it Fly three black jerseys and it’s the white jersey that comes away with it in the form of Duke
Shelton that’s what they’re going to get from you know I was like watching the second time come on wow yeah that’s that’s a statement dunk Taj green now with 14 points we talked about how he had to play a big game at both ends defensively and offensively he’s definitely stepped up
The plate offensively but they’ve needed some they’ve needed some defensive stops and it’s like Teddy Allen who we saw going to break a little while ago icing the knee he’s going to get a little run out here I’m sure coach Rob wants to just let him test it
Out they are less than 8 minutes away from booking their ticket to Birmingham and jiren Holmes with the flex wow it’s a tough Move contact the focus to finish the play and you see Rob P ostra there pointing to the tempo he wants his players to remain focused they know what to do line lost his time piece Make Some Noise you always tell how the game’s going I look at coach Rob how’s he
Chewing the gum if he’s really working it and just just Jackhammer it’s not good but see this is a cal this is a nice even even pace for him and I asked him one time I said how many pieces of gum you go through I have no idea that’s
Not just one it’s it’s continually updating got strong gum game Jaren Holmes hits the and one we have to confiscate his gum when he comes to the uh oh yeah commentary here he’s an Italian man that can’t use his hands to talk he take away his gum that’s that’s terrible 87- 68 19point
Lead there’s still time but man I tell you what with a depleted roster tired legs I just have a feeling that Newcastle it’s just fate just eventually caught up to him yeah I think so they needed a lot to go right and today they of course have the homecourt
Advantage they need to nice little put back Taj greins he’s not done legs look fresher the longer this game goes on Gummy Bears that’s a secret secret gummy bears jiren Holmes now working the offense Lester and there you go some hard screens and Larry Austin Jr having having a chat with Duke Shelton well every single screen Juke Shelton was set he was talking you know little about L J it doesn’t matter if you’re 7-1 or 5-1 he will go at you yeah he he does not
Care he’s a warrior yes he is he’s going to have to put in some miraculous plays here to P his team back into this game 39 minutes and 18 seconds in the last game and he’s going to pretty much play the entire game here Taj green another
Put back so that is six straight points for Taj green and it’s down to 15-point lead and we got a technical foul and they’re going to T Taj up no so six points this way and he’s going to give back some points Now that’s unfortunate just because he’s been so positive for this team 20 points and seven rebounds for him that’s just frustration they send Conor Washington a 78% free throw shooter to the Line that’s one of those situations you’ve been on the court before in the British basketball league is it body language or is there the magic word that the refers go yeah you just crossed the line that’s tea time well it can be a number of of of things and you know I
Can make com I haven’t seen it I haven’t heard it but it did the body language to me didn’t look aggressive enough to to give a tease it must have been something he said our officiating crew of Ian McDonald Simon unsworth and Steven Ellis agreed that that was enough was enough
And Larry Austin now he’s he’s chirping as well and this is just this is frustration I mean Newcastle is frustrated they came in this game with an opportunity to get to the semifinals of the trophy and they just they just ran out of gas I just the effort they
Came in with and applaud them 70 they came out the fans were on their feet and as the game progressed it just didn’t have the same same defensive transition the punch everything was missing yeah defensive transition hit the nail on the head it was it was nonexistent a t for
This Newcastle Eagles and you give you complete contrast as well we talk about that really Slim rotation six bench points for the Newcastle Eagles when you compare that to 35 of the Leicester Riders Conor Washington and Jordan Johnson are discussing postgame dinner plans where’d you think they’re going Todd nowhere
Together Conor Washington got tangled up with Jordan he wasn’t having it Jordan wasn’t having cooler heads prevail oh Connor Wason a guy very similar to to defo in what he’s done in his career 11th year with the Riders yeah and a lot of silverware along the way as
Well so he’s a type of guy that won’t back down had a bed for UK Jordan goes right at him bet he does and they wave it off and they call the foul on Jordan Johnson so Conor Washington does get the last laugh he’s so intelligent look at that gets his body
In between the man and the basket and you see Jordan Johnson wants to make something happen so much it results in him committing an offensive foul Conor Washington only averaging about four points a game for the Riders but he knows his role as we talked about double
Digigit years with the Riders steps in where coach Rob Patra needs him most much the second unit now for the Riders coach Rob deciding other than who’s out there myON Thomas and jiren Holmes only other starters on the on the Flor right now for the Riders so you look forward to next
Weekend and uh Jordan Johnson four fouls so one more he is done Jaron Holmes has to put up and I don’t know why you foul him there it’s no it makes no sense whatsoever let him take that that’s a tough shot I was going to say looking forward to next
Weekend we know London’s in for sure now it looks like Lester’s in uh and Jordan’s going to get that is that his fifth yep so he will take a seat Well that looked like it was on to Green it was on Jord Johnson that’s not happy no and that’s
The if there’s any help or chance of this game Chang I mean that’s a [Applause] big with one of your best players on the bench he averages 18 points in three boards a game and now you take out out of the equation that’s tough jar Holmes now going to the [Applause]
Line luster wants to progress past the semifinals I’ll tell you one thing that coach Rob’s going to tell him guys we got to hit our free throws those are free points we’re giving away you see the frustrations down on the face of Jordan Johnson he’s had already difficult even then you know his
Numbers will look impressive enough 18 points five assists but he has to he has to work really hard for those 18 points five for 15 so it’s not an efficient form of scoring and even five assists really I mean this in a compliment to to Jordan Johnson know you
Really want to be flirting with the double digits assists in a game like this because he he’s the again very few players in the league that has that ability to to have the court Vision he has Duke Shelton not happy with that call he’s got can’t reach it into the
Cookie jar as you would say here the biscuit jar under six now in the game you’re uh fluid in British now just picking it up Larry Austin drives amongst the tall trees TJ L rips it away and McKenzie two on one deep three boom wow myON Thomas
Buries it and buries the hopes of the Newcastle Eagles that is a huge bucket pushes it to 20 5 and A2 minutes to play and you’re depleted already for Newcastle So two teners as darus defo tries to get himself a foul and not called Kimble McKenzie will Retreat and he’ll bring it up slowly what I was going to say a few moments ago Group B pretty much locked in now with Lester and London moving
Ahead now who do you like in group a that is the big conundrum who is going to step up I don’t know how you bet against calonia the way they’ve rallied back yeah I think it’s Chester I think done to advance and I think calonia get through through now only because sur’s
Injuries I would say Sur normally but you’re right the injuries yeah I think sur’s completely transformed their fortunes and we’ll continue that conversation it’s a 20-point ball game Lester they can start to book their tickets on a trip to Birmingham it looks like they are on their way to the trophy Semi-finals after being down 7 nothing to start the game it has been all Riders at every break they were up by 13 after the end of the first period halftime they were up by six at the end of the third they were up by 15 and they find themselves
Up by 20 now with 445 to play Todd Harris ant row as Taj green continues to go to work and the foul is called there and as we were talking before we went to commercial break who do you like coming out of group a and how do you think they
Faire against Lester and London yeah I think I I like cheser I think they’ve been uh they’ve been one of the stronger teams this year in in championship league play and you know they’re certainly transitioning that that form into the trophy calonia I think going to
Sneak in there um only because of the injuries of of S sces you know they start this trophy 2 and0 which is you know remarkable in complete contrast to to what they are in in in in League Play with a with a record of seven and 14 um
But injuries have mounted up you know they’ve got no big guys at the moment and they’ve had you know injuries to key players like like Gooden coming off the bench as well so um they’re they’re depleted much like the the very Vision we’re seeing here now look how many of
Those players on the bench are in Street Clos the million dooll question which only you can answer and maybe Drew Lasker how do you defeat the London Lions this year with a bench we talk about the depth of the Lester Riders the London Lions take it on a whole new
Level because when you add a player like and wava and you’ve got guys coming off the bench that could be starters everywhere else how do you defeat the London Lions you just need everything to go right on the day it’s as simple as that you you play London lines 10 times
They win nine out of one you n out of 10 times but there’s that one time that that the the you know the stars are alive and things are going well and you know but London Lions I mean it’s not just domestically as well you look at
London L’s record in in Euro Cup this year as well they they’re very healthy position in in European play and they’ve got players as you you know you just mentioned you got players there that have transitioned in and out of the NBA so it’s really difficult to compete with
I look at the London lions and their second team is is so strong I mean you look at the Morgans Matt Conor Morgan you Sam beer I know they like to get him back but Josh Sharma coming out the BS Ola shenny Jordan Taylor’s been a little
Bit banged up but he’s going to get healthier and then you add nwaba um Lord Nelson I mean just the names just keep rolling rolling and they’re they’re contributors yeah big contributors that’s without mentioning some of the other been really good for them as well gab a Shen of course GB International
Who’s been Mr consistent for them both in the British basketball league and in Europe so they had a game tonight the London Lions as they took on Bristol and Bristol was already out of the competition unable to advance London already clenching their spot so London resting a lot of their players eight
Players inactive as Bristol got the win 9472 but eight players in active and London was still a lot of teams you had eight players in active they’re not even they’re not even Felding a team but they put eight players in Street close and made the trip to Bristol knowing that
They were already into the semis so we look forward to that next weekend and we come up on 315 to play in this one cross Horse crosscourt Pass to kiml McKenzie he gets it over jiren Holmes and it’s Ricky Mill that takes it away you got a decision to make I I
Think it’s going to be an easy decision for you and there’s a foul and Migel will go to the line but with 303 to play who Do you like it give me give me three names just let’s make it interesting give me give me three names that could
Win player of the game well it’s uh it’s I give you I’ll give you three on the on the on the leading team and and you know cannot help but but mention Kimble McKenzie there leading the the way for them he’s been excellent today for this for his team captain leading from the
Front Samuel duu has been that injection Off the Bench I think he really set the tone early and and um instill belief from from uh you know for his teammates and and um I quite like TJ lull as well I thought he’s had a really good game he’s came
Off the bench as well and he has 11 points but I think he’s hit some big shots or notably he hit a big three there the start of this fourth quarter he’s also made some plays where you felt like Newcastle Eagles were going to make
A run and he’s been the bad guy for them who stopped the Run talked about that at halim in our Sky Sports Studio as the bench play from coach Rob pstr Lester ryers was huge and we almost had a highlight play there as Teddy Allen defends Del pest to the very
End you can surpris he’s in you can see as well I mean this is a rivalry right and you know the game’s pretty much done here but still both teams going at it and just as I say that Teddy Allen comes out still rubbing that left knee a
Little bit so coach Rob just wanted to give him a little little run see how it feels and he’s going to start unlacing the sneakers and get ready to ice that thing down get some therapy and he’s not happy I don’t know if that’s frustration from the injury or just
Frustration the way he played tonight cuz he he’s he’s been good I mean for his his level 14 points for him is yeah little off his game averaging 24 well 14 points on 6 for 10 shooting it’s a very solid game it’s just that he has un you know
Extraordinary numbers he averages 24 points per game so of course he’s he’s 10 points below there his averages but again he’s had a solid game today he’s what his foul he’s fouled out yeah me and rubbing that knee so keep an eye on that he’s a huge part of the Lester
Riders as that shot was blocked Kim Kenzie comes away with it no need to rush it under two and a half minutes to play 9276 wow I just did that seal the deal does that seal the deal he was a strong contendant contestant for player of the game and he just solidifying his
Position there at the top of the pile he’s just such a floor General I know that’s not a cliche term for a point guard but he is a floor General quite a you know story career well bucko four years so come from a high degree there intelligent player knows
Going to play played in Canadian League Spanish league and now this is his third year with the Lester Riders so he’s been the consistent piece among you know a lot of change in this Leicester Riders team this year Teddy Allen has fouled out of the game that’s why he came out not because
Of that injury Todd Harris ant r with you on what turns out to be the final night for Newcastle and Lester and it looks like Lester’s going north it is and you know they’ve had to travel all the way up to the Northeast and play in this High build rivalry fixture and
There it’s the leester riders that have come out on top and the Newcastle Wheels cannot help but maybe lick their wounds here they came into this underman but they certainly had homecourt advantage and by the way this game started you really thought uhoh the Eagles have got something going here today Newcastle
Starting out on a 70 Run the game started off with Taj green hitting a three then he came back with a big dunk and this is not a sight that anyone in Newcastle wants to see as Darius defo was on his back getting stretched Out I think some lactic acid build up there from the Darius def played a really good game I I thought he was been excellent for this Newcastle Eagles team today he’s he’s crapping up still in that breakway Coast to Coast layup he had he turned out the afterburners no
One can catch him it’s coming back to bite him now yeah coming up tomorrow Saturday 8:00 P.M it’s the Sheffield sharks taking on the Plymouth City Patriots as the permutations of trophy group a continue to work themselves out chesher and shefield that’ll be a good one we’ve already talked about chesher
Looks like the odds on favorite that second spot could it be sui still could be Sheffield could it be calonia it’ll be interesting to see how that works out so under two minutes to play and the team’s backing off just a little bit as they have to go to the
Bench Newcastle very rarely they’ll put in SAU or k candy candy played in 24 seconds in the last game oh my Taj green looking to leave a statement piece three ball coming and an easy layup for jiren Holmes so back to 20-point lead it was a great start good first half especially
Newcastle came back and again fought this fought their way back to a six-point deficit at halftime we thought we could be looking at a blowout in the second and and Newcastle showed us something yeah it was just too much the resistance there and I give credit for
For Lester rers as well they Protected Their paint ferociously and you know just so with the number of block shot shots and Newcastle Eagles didn’t have as many easy looks as well 10 block shots for the Leicester Royers here today you know I hate to be a a hindsight is 2020
Armchair quarterback but certain experts in the studio did make their selections earlier and I and I won’t say who got it dead on right but uh it rhymes with Soo I mean just aania went on a limb and went Newcastle and I respect that I I I
Respect her case she made a good case for it but Obie spot on he said the rider is going to be too much tonight sometimes you win sometimes you lose and OB so is going to be Taj green hello one guy there it’s getting bounc
Here as the game goes on 26 points now for Taj green yes he does all right it’s come the time that everyone’s been waiting for especially if you’re a Lester Ryder fan player of the game ant Ro the mic is yours player of the game someone who has led his
Troops today the captain has led by example 22 points eight assists Kim Mackenzie yeah that’s a good call no question about it Taj green looking for more and a possible and one he’ll go to the line and shoot two must been so impressive as well know Kimble McKenzie for all those who
Haven’t seen him live He’s a 6′ one maybe a generous 6′ one he he he doesn’t really have you know I’d say athletic gifts but what he does have he has an incredible basketball IQ an amazing jump shot and the ability as well to make his teammates better around him you see you
Know his stat line there 22 points six rebounds eight assists and two turnovers so he’s been involved in a lot of those plays and made very little errors here index of 34 what a game the pride of Oakville Ontario Canada not necessarily a basketball hot bed but he and TJ LW
Did play together in the Canadian League so they had a little bit familiarity there TJ law coming to us by way of Cambridge Ontario Canada another basketball hot bed no hockey for either of them straight up Hoops you love what you love there you go McKenzie passion oozing out of his game
Here today Ricky mckel is going to try to steal it away from the player of the game K he smart enough to guard that he’s going to try to run this out fans at Lester wanting the want the Cote and they’ll get it wow and one 101 to 83 Make it one1 to 85 and that’s the final score great performance by head coach Rob P Ostro and his Lester Riders the Newcastle eagles they were game early and they even in the second period they came back strong and made it a close game at the half remember 5549 but that
Third period too much Lester Riders as they ended up up by 15 they closed the game out 10185 final thoughts a row oh they were excellent from start to finish I thought both ends of the floor this leester ryers team was a team of focus they got
So much from their benches well 37 bench points that really was the the difference but for me it was a man one through through 10 everyone who stepped on step floor wearing a reider’s jersey was focused 10 players going for the Lester Riders they did the same rotation in
Their last game meanwhile on the other side Newcastle eagles they able to only put six or seven guys on the floor and that is just it’s simple physics I mean you 10 guys run at full speed or six guys run at full speed the 10 guys are
Going to probably be able to go a little longer yeah I would choose I would choose that and I think he’s credit to coach Patra as well who’s clearly prepared for this game for his team and you mentioned this as well during the game Todd and it’s that the team clearly
Had that mental approach to we’ve got to play Fast we’ve got to thr you know throw the ball right back at the team who’s before they can set up on defense and the transition offense was was suffocating for the for the Newcastle Wheels they just they couldn’t deal with
It an opportunity now for Newcastle and head coach Mark stel to get healthy as they will have a little bit of a break as the trophy semi-finals and finals take place this weekend hopefully they bring back their full healthy Squad as we now check in on the court and Drew
Lasker that’s right congratulations Kimbo it was a seesaw there in the first half but what was it in the second half that allowed you guys to pull away yeah we took care of the ball better that was a point of emphasis taking care of the defensive glass it’s a team that’s fast
When they get out they can really score in spurts and then taking care of that defensive glass was big horse as well you’ve integrated Teddy buckets you shored up the front line with Duke Shelton why can this team win it all next weekend yeah I mean we’re
Definitely uh feeling good at the moment uh you know everyone’s healthy obviously Teddy gives us a lot of Firepower and then Duke has been really good inside really good with ball screens and all the rest of it learning quick so yeah we feel good you win the whole thing we’ll
Go golfing next weekend all right I’m down congratulations man cheers Drew thanks back to you Janette Drew as ever a massive thank you to you and of course to and and to Todd as well for guiding us through and what a result that is for the Leicester
Riders on they go to the trophy Finals over Soo is Stewart alongside me Isen you tell me what jumps out for you when you look at those stats well for the riders for me you know they shot fantastically the percentage dropped down to 65% you know they were at 70 80%
But that still are fantastic anytime you can get over that 50% of the two great but then the turnovers you know 19 turnovers they need to look after the ball maybe at times that’s how Newcastle got back into the game okay well let’s have a look at how this played out in
That second half pretty much more of the same from the Riders one thing for certain the stakes was super high and so was that 3o percentage in the third back to back back buckets stretched the lead to 17 points at one point Kimble McKenzie featuring Take a Bow Kimble
What a game from him Newcastle depleted not really allowing the lot Riders to ride out into the fourth quarter and then Leicester absolutely dominating whil the Eagles try to hold themselves together but it wasn’t to be the Riders heading into the trophy finals next weekend giving themselves a chance of
Glory and we can head down now with Drew laska he’s talking to Rob Patra hey Rob congratulations that was a professional win your team feels different from early in the season what is it that you like about this roster now well I think we um are pretty deep
Now I think we got guys at every position I think we got guys that are pretty locked in and I think that’s been such a nice change from the beginning you know we’re super locked in on a defensive end coverages all that and it’s a big win for us you know we had
Like I said before you know Road winds weren’t coming for us but tonight’s a big road WI and you played for the Birmingham franchise this is a place you’re familiar with you’ve been to these games many times what does your team need to carry over from the group
Stage to the final four should be a great atmosphere in there I love I love playing in that that building I love that area I lived there for a long time and I think it’s just about doing the same thing we did this week in practice
We had a really good week of practice and I think you know when we watch the guys play out there you could see what we did in practice out on the floor which was important and we got a lot of guys that have a lot of uh you know big
Game experience and I think um that’s always important in games like that congratulations coach we’ll be there to watch your team next weekend all right thanks back you Janette thanks Drew very happy Coach robod there understandably because what a performance there o from the Leicester Riders it was an
Incredible job you know I sort of touched on it earlier on um in the evening and I knew that the depth would possibly be an issue for Newcastle but besides that you know the Leicester Riders still have to had to come out and execute and that’s what they did and
They did it in fine fashion they did it in fine fashion but there were some individual standout performances that really showed why as a team they’re coming together they’re jelling together and actually are able to get those wins when it matters AIA well I think I’m
Just going to go off what I spoke at halim is their bench and especially when you go want to go deep into uh the trophy you know Championship is your bench uh 40 points was was massive from their bench a do was great um but I really feel like they like coach Rob
Said they’re locked in and it was the defense that was huge absolutely and for Kimo McKenzie what for him player of the game he really showed the impact that he could put onto this team today I mean he put on a point guard Master Class here knocking down the three but he was
Effective all night long and from all over the floor he almost tallied up a triple double um 22 six and8 assists incredible there getting U involved Off the Bench here you see him on a nice um little roll action again ad do finishing on the back end but you know he was just
A effective all over the floor efficiency was High um like coach Rob said he was locked in today uh and you know this is a really exciting team to watch right now I feel like things are starting to come together for these guys and he is the captain right the captain
Of the ship and he led this team uh we spoke about you know buckets but he’s been here before he knows what he wants and he especially knows what uh coach Rob pastro once and this is the thing isn’t it for them to be able to understand why they needed to do what
They did tonight is key and then you really want to be able to make sure they go into those those finals and do exactly the same what they done today absolutely you know Rob has been there before we spoke about before the game both the Newcastle Eagles um and the
Leer Riders have history of reaching the championship game but the Poise you know the Poise that they showed tonight to stay calm to keep their nerves to execute the game plan um as necessary it it was incredible and this is it have a look at this there’s one at one moment
Just the three pointers are just going they were absolutely just firing Mia yeah just making it rain for sure and you know it wasn’t just one guy everyone was getting in and it having fun hitting wide open shots and they’re on the road right they’re Against All Odds but I
Just think it was all about Rob’s team making sure that they were focused you know that their Scout was high but their defense stopped Newcastle but just wore them down throughout the game there only six guys almost contagious M definitely contagious you know I think you know you
Can look at all the three pointers they made and it looks like just a bunch of open shots but what I see is execution you know I see a team that is very locked in a team that um where everyone’s filling their spots the guys are getting into the corners and making
Everyone else’s job easier you know that’s how successful teams work and you know we saw success tonight well guys they’re filling their spots and they’ve picked their spot the Leicester Riders they are heading to the trophy finals let’s have a look at some of the fictions and results I’ve already gone
This week you can see just yesterday the calonia Gladiators taking the win they 99 to 74 against the S scorches tonight Bristol Flyers they beat the London Lions there wasn’t much to play for there but I guess it’s pride and then for the Newcastle Eagles against the
Leicester Riders 101 to 95 as you’ve seen this evening tomorrow we go s Scorch is up against cheser Phoenix at 5:00 Sheffield sharks against the Plymouth City Patriots at 8:00 and then on Sunday the ches Phoenix take on the Sheffield shots at 6 all available on our YouTube channel plent new permutation
Look at Group B London Lions already through Leicester through Newcastle Eagles Bristol flyers and Manchester Giants taking up the third fourth and fifth but for group a it is all to play for if you were watching earlier Dan Ry gave you the permutations I’m not going
To do that cuz I don’t have the Abacus that he has but it is very very tight Lots going on in Group as keep across it on our YouTube channel but what a game we’ve had tonight I mean for Newcastle they are tired they are depleted is and
It’s something they’re going to have to go back and look at as they enter back into the championship well I think they need to get bodies healthy you know playing uh the schedule that they are with six men is just really difficult they play at a high tensity you know
They’re flying they’re running they’re dunking and that’s really hard um and for Mark I think they might just need to rest recover ice and uh start again so maybe a little blessing in disguise actually they can go back in there oie yeah go back lick their wounds um and
You know come recovered and strong ready to continue the championship okay well o AIA thank you very much for joining me today and well done to the Leicester Riders they head to those trophy finals in Birmingham next weekend we’ll be there and hopefully we’ll see you there Too He
