BCB WEEK 25: READING WIN TITLE; BURNELL WINS IT FOR HEMEL
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Champions were crowned, and game-winning farewells were in order in an unforgettable penultimate week of BCB league action.
In terms of excitement and drama, Week 25 certainly delivered.
Key Storylines
- Thanks to Bouknight's heroics, Reading win the BCB crown
- Newcastle loss opens door for Birmingham to go for second
- Jack Burnell buries game-winner, and Darien Nelson-Henry finishes career in style for Hemel
Recap
Aldermore Reading Rockets overcame the Derby Trailblazers in the East Midlands to secure the inaugural BCB league crown in dramatic fashion – you can read the game recap here.
Reading’s success ended the City of Birmingham Rockets’ faint hopes of league glory, following their BCB Trophy success last Saturday in Nottingham. The Rockets overcame the Worthing Thunder 89-84 to keep their chances of finishing second alive.
Last week's Trophy final MVP, Eric Donaldson led the way with 27 points and six rebounds for the Rockets. Justin Hopkins had a game-high 34 for Worthing.
After being top of the pile for the majority of the season, the Newcastle Knights conceded the title, as they lost 94-82 to the Bristol Hurricanes. Denzel Ubiaro had 29 points on 63 percent shooting, helped by 21 from Jules Dang-Akodo to give Bristol their sixth win of the season. JaRon Thames had 26 points and 10 boards for the Knights.
In Darien Nelson-Henry home farewell with the Hemel Storm, it was Jack Burnell in his penultimate game, who signed off on the biggest of highs.
Burnell drilled a three-pointer on the final buzzer that caused mass hysteria as the Storm edged the Yorkshire Dragons 89-86. Nelson-Henry led the way with 23 points and nine rebounds in what is his last game for the Storm, as he’s unavailable for next week’s finale against Derby. Corey Johnson had 27 for the Dragons.
A fourth-quarter collapse from the Milton Keynes Breakers opened the door for Nottingham Hoods to score a 101-81 victory at Bletchley.
With the game tied at 75-75 heading into the final period, the Hoods opened the fourth with a 12-0 run that would ice the game, as Nottingham held the Breakers to just six points, while scoring 26 themselves. Donell Nixon led the victors with 24 points and 10 assists.
He was supported by newly crowned Molten Player of the Month Bryce Johnson, who produced a monster game of 22 points, 18 rebounds, six assists and three steals. Jordan Spencer had 22 for MK.
London Cavaliers equalled the Hoods’ feat, as they outscored Essex Rebels 23-5 in the fourth period to score a 75-59 win at the Essex Sports Arena. Juan Manning led the Cavs with 21 points, which included four three-pointers.
Loughborough Riders shot 50 percent from the floor, and Jalen Cook led them with 19 points as they overcame the Bristol Flyers II 105-69 at the WISE Campus.
