BCB WEEK 17: LEAGUE LEADERS BACK TO WINNING WAYS; BIRMINGHAM BEAT YORKSHIRE

The Aldermore Reading Rockets and Newcastle Knights matched each other this weekend to remain joint top of the BCB table, but if you look down the standings, two of the form teams are still winning.

City of Birmingham Rockets and Nottingham Hoods are keeping their momentum going as the race for the playoffs heats up.

Key Storylines

• Reading and Newcastle return to winning ways
• Birmingham make it seven straight in BCB Trophy preview
• Nottingham secure sixth straight success

Recap

On Sunday, the Aldermore Reading Rockets (14-2) secured an 80-60 success over an Essex Rebels (8-9) side that were without Miles Brown, Kyron Martin and Michael Amako.

But despite being shorthanded, the Rebels were fiercely competitive until a strong fourth quarter eventually saw the Rockets home.

Victor Olarerin led the way with 19 points, but it was Cooper Creek who stole the headlines, with a solid double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, with his father Wayne amongst the sell-out crowd at Loddon Valley. Tom Child had a team-high 17 for Essex.

Before Reading’s success, the Newcastle Knights (14-3) overcame the Derby Trailblazers (7-8) 102-97 thanks to another JaRon Thames masterclass.

Thames exploded for 35 points, went 3-for-3 from three-point land, had seven assists and three steals in a superb performance that Derby couldn’t match. Jai Pathmarajah had 25 for Derby.

In a preview of the BCB Trophy final on March 28, the City of Birmingham Rockets (12-4) bagged their seventh consecutive win in the league with an impressive 91-83 road win against the Yorkshire Dragons (8-9).

Zack Powell had 24 points and eight rebounds to pace Birmingham, which shot 52 percent from the field. However, their record will be tested when they travel to the Aldermore Reading Rockets next Sunday.

Corey Johnson played all 40 minutes for a game-high 27 points for the Dragons.

Another team in a good run of form is the Nottingham Hoods (9-8), who made it six wins on the bounce with a 104-87 win over neighbours Loughborough Riders (4-13) on Friday night.

Tyrone Williams hit six three-pointers to lead the Hoods with 32 points. He also dished out eight assists as Nottingham now boasts a winning record in the BCB.

Bristol Hurricanes (3-13) put in their performance of the season as they brought the Worthing Thunder (10-7) down to earth with a resounding 83-63 win at the Worthing Leisure Centre.

Vilmantas Dilys had 30 points and 11 boards for the Hurricanes, who recovered from an early first-quarter deficit to outscore Worthing 21-7 and take a lead that grew to as many as 24 points to victory.

Adrian Scarborough led the Thunder with 17 points as their inconsistent form continues.

A strong first half paved the way for the Milton Keynes Breakers (12-4) to beat the London Cavaliers (10-6) 102-85 and end the Cavs three-game winning streak.

The visiting MK side outscored London 57-42, which proved to be enough despite positive spells from the Cavaliers. Jordan Spencer led the winners with 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

AJ Roberts had 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists for London.

Near the bottom of the standings, Hemel Storm (4-13) picked up a confidence-booster, as they beat the Bristol Flyers II (0-17) 90-52. Kai Walker bagged a 17-point and 14-rebound double-double to pace the Storm.