3 TAKEAWAYS FROM THE GROUP STAGE OF THE BCB TROPHY
By John Hobbs
The BCB Trophy has entered its knockout stages, with the group stage firmly in the rear-view mirror and the margin for error now at zero.
One thing is already guaranteed, and that is a new name will be on the BCB Trophy. That alone underlines the competition's unpredictability, where past reputations count for little and any team can seize its opportunity when it matters most.
With the group stage delivering plenty of intrigue, the knockout rounds promise even more drama as the race for silverware intensifies.
Before the quarter-finals get underway, here are the key takeaways from the BCB Trophy group stages.
Why a new name on the Trophy further highlights the competitive nature of the BCB
With the current holders, City of Birmingham Rockets, bowing out at the group stage, a new name is guaranteed to grace the BCB Trophy this season.
Either Aldermore Reading Rockets or Newcastle Knights now have the chance to become the first side in league history to win two major trophies, having claimed the league and playoff crowns respectively last season.
For the remaining contenders - Hemel Storm, Milton Keynes Breakers, Yorkshire Dragons, Bristol Hurricanes, Gloucester City Kings and Worthing Thunder - the opportunity is just as golden. They all have the chance to lift the first trophy of their short BCB existence.
Whoever emerges as champion, one thing is certain, the BCB Trophy will have a new name on it this season - another indication of just how competitive and unpredictable this exciting league has become.
Three early pace-setters
Three teams finished with unbeaten records after four games – Hemel Storm, Aldermore Reading Rockets and Bristol Hurricanes.
For the Hurricanes, their excellent start to the season marks a significant turnaround. They lost all three group games in the Trophy last season and lost their first 11 games overall before getting their first win in December against the Nottingham Hoods, finishing the campaign 6-20.
They won their four group games by an average of 24.7 points, with Ben Baker-McCann and Dennis Flowers forming a dynamic duo, alongside Kobe Hill off the bench.
Hemel brought in big names during the offseason, most notably Ty Nsangu and Victor Olarerin, who came over from Reading, plus strong imports led by Jabari Nurse, who leads the Storm in scoring with 18.3 points per game, supported by Nsangu’s 15.3 points and 14.5 rebounds in group play.
But despite losing Olarerin and Nsangu, Reading has kept its winning mentality. Jaxon Nap has proved to be a revelation for the Berkshire outfit, averaging 18.8 points on 57 percent shooting.
Small in quantity but huge in heart and success
The BCB has two teams from the north: Newcastle and Yorkshire. But like last season, they have plenty of talent and will be an extremely difficult obstacle to overcome in the league once again.
This was proven in the group stage, as both the Knights and Dragons progressed in a tightly contested Northern pool that included Nottingham, Derby and invited Scottish league side, Signs Express Falkirk Fury.
For last season’s beaten Finalists, the Dragons have a new-look squad, complete with a new coach in Michael Wilson. But he has maintained Yorkshire’s rugged, determined, offensive-minded style of play that makes them fun to watch.
Jordan Jefferson, one of their standouts last season, leads the team with 22 points per game, helped along by new signing Jackson Dudek, who posts 18.3 points.
Last season’s playoff champions, Newcastle, have been equally as impressive, beating Derby Trailblazers in their final group game to top the group, and as seems to be the norm with the Tyneside outfit, they have unearthed import gems this season, with AJ McGinnis and Luke House standing out.
House is shooting a sensational 57 percent from three-point range, averaging a team-high 24 points along with 5.7 rebounds per game, while McGinnis is putting up 20.7 points.
