BCB WEEK 12: BIRMINGHAM AND NEWCASTLE SETTLE THINGS IN TRIPLE OT CLASSIC

Fireworks brought in the New Year across Great Britain, and they continued on BCB courts across the country, particularly in Birmingham.

The Rockets and Newcastle Knights went the distance and then some as they battled in a triple-overtime epic, highlighting the first gameday of 2026.

Key Storylines

• Newcastle edge Birmingham after three overtime periods.
• Reading leave it late to down the London Cavaliers
• Malcolm Smith returns to lead Derby past Worthing

Recap

Newcastle Knights (11-1) got out of jail three times and still managed to beat the City of Birmingham Rockets (5-4) 111-108 in a triple overtime marathon.

In a game where eight players registered double-doubles, Newcastle needed late scores in the fourth quarter, overtime period number one and number two before finally settling a thrilling slugfest.

But with an unprecedented fourth period of overtime looming, JaRon Thames and Bradley Dean would put an end to the Rockets’ hopes from the foul line in the final 20 seconds.

Dean would end with 35 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Thames added 30 points and 10 rebounds, with both playing all 55 minutes. Eric Donaldson had 25 points and 12 boards for Birmingham.

Aldermore Reading Rockets (9-1) left it late to beat the London Cavaliers (7-5). But thanks to a clutch three-pointer from Simon Chamberlain and cool heads at the foul line, they came away with a 96-93 win.

With less than 1:10 to play, the Cavs had a slender 93-91 lead, until Chamberlain buried a three. From there, London were unable to trouble the scorers again as Reading kept their composure from the foul line to score a crucial win.

Jax Bouknight bagged back-to-back 30-point games, as he drained six triples to lead Reading with 32 points. Juan Manning had 26 for the Cavaliers.

With Malcolm Smith returning to strengthen the Derby Trailblazers (6-4), they very nearly let a 15-point lead slip out of their hands but eventually edged the Worthing Thunder (8-4) 76-73.

A triple from Elijah Maynard with 1:10 to play reduced Derby’s lead to 72-70, setting up a grandstand finale. But clutch buckets from Mo Walker and Jai Pathmarajah steered the Trailblazers home.

Pathmarajah continues his breakout season for Derby, leading the way with 24 points and six assists. Smith, on his season debut, had 20 points and 10 boards. Justin Hopkins would lead Thunder with 23 points.

Essex Rebels (7-6) once again saw the recently minted Molten Player of the Month Miles Brown, in attack mode, as he led them to a 104-92 win over the Yorkshire Dragons (7-5).

Brown led the way with 30 points, 10 assists and four steals, continuing where he left off to lead the in-form Rebels to victory.

Milton Keynes Breakers (8-3) put on a clinic in team basketball to start the year on a high, as they ousted the Hemel Storm (3-8) 86-68.

Five Breakers players hit double figures, led by Xavier Wilson’s 18 points and six rebounds. Taylor Johnson shot 53 percent to amass 16 for Hemel, who remain near the bottom of the table.

A dominant second quarter paved the way for the Nottingham Hoods (4-8) to return to winning ways as Tyrone Williams starred in a 103-73 success over the Bristol Flyers II (0-12).

Williams went for 25 points, nine assists and four steals as the Hoods broke the game open in the second period, turning a slender 22-20 lead into a commanding 49-30 advantage.

Bristol couldn’t keep up as they continue to search for their first win of the season. Ebuka Ekwegh led the Flyers with 16 points.