BCB WEEK 24: READING ON THE VERGE; DERBY, LONDON COMPLETE PLAYOFF PICTURE

As well as the BCB Trophy final on Saturday, there was also a full round of fixtures in the league, as the Aldermore Reading Rockets took a step closer to becoming champions.

However, the Newcastle Knights are not giving up the race without a fight as Week 24 concludes.

Key Storylines

• Reading made to work hard against London
• Dean and Thames go for 40 in Newcastle win 
• Derby reach post-season with win over Worthing; London also in

Recap

The Aldermore Reading Rockets endured a scare, but they eventually showed their title credentials with an 86-77 victory over the London Cavaliers at Loddon Valley.

In a game where the Rockets looked to create some space in the third quarter, taking their first double-digit lead of the contest, they found the Cavs determined to fight back, narrowing the gap to 64-62 nearly three minutes into the fourth, thanks to Marquel Beasley.

London’s run then sparked Reading back into life as they pulled clear again, led by Malik Bryant, who led the way for the victors with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting. Zain Poorman added a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double, along with seven rebounds. Daniel Braster had 18 points and nine boards for the Cavs.

With one hand on the trophy, Reading were within touching distance, so it was important for Newcastle to continue to fight after their loss in Berkshire last week, and they did just that, by beating Hemel Storm 119-104 in a thriller.

It was a game that neither team deserved to lose, with both sides shooting more than 50 percent from the floor in a free-flowing high-stakes battle, but Newcastle had enough in the tank, led by a phenomenal performances of JaRon Thames as he went for 40 points, nine rebounds, and three assists with Bradley Dean matching him for 40 points, five rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

Brayden Inger led Hemel with 27 points.

Derby Trailblazers reached the playoffs after they beat the Worthing Thunder 91-83, thanks to a dominant first half, which also confirmed the London Cavaliers' place in the post-season.

The Trailblazers raced out to a 33-19 lead after one and then continued to grow the lead, taking a commanding 52-29 advantage to put the game out of reach. Jai Pathmarajah led the way with 26 points, six rebounds and four steals.

Danny Evans amassed 26 points for Worthing.

Nottingham Hoods established their dominance early to lead 19-7 after one and not look back as they beat the Essex Rebels 89-57 at Harvey Hadden. Tyrone Williams had 24 points to lead Nottingham.

Milton Keynes Breakers needed Ben Baker-McCann’s 17 points and DaShawn Jackson’s 15 to overcome the Bristol Hurricanes 84-72 in the South-West.