BCB RECAP: ROAD TRIP FUN, WHILE READING, ESSEX AND HEMEL HOLD THE FORT AT HOME

The road teams enjoyed a fun weekend, and a double-overtime thriller kicked off the opening days of the BCB League season.

Also, the League champions, Aldermore Reading Rockets, began their defence with a hard-fought win.

Key Storylines

• Hemel edge Milton Keynes in double-OT epic
• Road wins for Derby, London, Worthing and Birmingham
• Champions, Reading work hard for win over Hurricanes

Hemel Storm overcame the Milton Keynes Breakers 102-94 in a double-overtime epic that saw both teams trade blows with each other.

The Breakers gave up a 14-point lead but forced the extra period with a last-gasp lay-up from Sam Grant. The two teams could not be separated after one period of overtime, and then the Storm raced ahead in the second session with Jared Small burying a triple to make it 97-86 with a minute left to ice the game for good.

Small led Hemel with 26 points, including seven three-pointers in that scoring haul. George Pearl paced MK with 21.

Derby Trailblazers righted their own wrongs by defeating the Nottingham Hoods 77-70 on the road on Saturday. Evan Walshe poured in a game-high 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the Trailblazers got some revenge for their narrow loss in the Trophy on opening day. Camden Polak had 22 for Nottingham.

London Cavaliers started strong and never skipped a beat as they beat the Loughborough Riders 81-73. The Cavs started off on fire, leading 22-10 after the first quarter, and despite the hosts getting into a groove late on, it was too little, too late.

Juan Manning erupted for 32 points, leading all scorers for London. He also added six rebounds and five assists. Kurtis Henderson led the Riders with 26 points and nine assists.

The City of Birmingham Rockets also began their League campaign on the right foot, toppling the Yorkshire Dragons 101-91 on the road.

Zack Powell and Ronald Blain both amassed 26 points, with the latter adding an impressive nine rebounds, six assists and six steals to his tally. Jackson Dudek led the Dragons with 21 points.

Justin Hopkins had 26 points, as he guided Worthing Thunder to a comfortable 103-86 victory over the Bristol Flyers II. Lanre Ayinla posted 22 points for the Flyers.

In Sunday’s only fixture, the Aldermore Reading Rockets overcame a scoring masterclass from Pasquale Landolfi to beat the Bristol Hurricanes 92-81.

Jaxon Nap overcame a sluggish start to finish with 23 points for the League champions, along with nine rebounds and nine assists. Beating out Landolfi’s 34 points for Bristol on 12-for-18 shooting.

There were also home delights for the Essex Rebels, as they defeated the Newcastle Knights 94-79. Tre Baumgardner and Aliou Cisse scored 25 points apiece, with Baumgardner dishing a sublime 14 assists. Luke countered with 24 for the Knights.