HURRICANES SILENCE STORM; OLIVER GRABS 12 STEALS IN DERBY WIN

The British Championship Basketball Trophy was in full swing this weekend, with thrilling encounters across the country. None more so than at Hemel, where the Bristol Hurricanes produced a stunning 89-87 win over the Storm, as three former Bristol Flyers SLB players held their nerve from the free throw line for glory.

Matt Norman gave Hemel an 87-86 lead with under a minute to play, sending the sell-out crowd into mass hysteria.

However, the Storm would fail to score again, as Daniel Edozie, Ebuka Ekwegh, and finally Corey Samuels connected from the stripe to bag a brilliant road win.

Edozie would end with 26 points, 12 rebounds and 7 steals to lead Bristol. Norman led the Storm with 25.

Derby Trailblazers made an early statement with a dominant 123-65 victory over the newly promoted Bristol Flyers II in the south-west.

Evan Oliver led Derby with an outstanding 29 points and 12 steals in just 25 minutes, helped by Harlond Beverly Jr., who went for 28, and 26 from Sean Walker, as the Trailblazers shot 54 percent from the floor. Lanre Ayinla paced Bristol with 18.

City of Birmingham Rockets grabbed a precious 82-77 road win over last season’s Trophy finalists Milton Keynes Breakers at Bletchley.

With the game on a knife-edge at 58-58 going into the fourth quarter, it was a case of who would make the most telling run at the right time.

In a game of fine margins, Birmingham managed to make their shots down the stretch, forcing the Breakers into difficult attempts. A score from Lucas McGregor gave the visitors an 80-73 lead with 90 seconds left, which ultimately settled the game.

Zack Powell led five Birmingham players in double figures with 18 points, with Orlan Jackman amassing 15.

Chris Tawiah shot 8-for-9 from the field for a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan Spencer also enjoyed a double-double of 17 points and 11 boards for MK.

Worthing Thunder bounced back from last Sunday’s loss to the Reading Rockets by beating the Essex Rebels 107-85 at the Worthing Leisure Centre.

Adrian Scarborough had an impressive 34 points and a monster 18 rebounds in the win, with Justin Hopkins posting 20 as Worthing eventually raced away in the third quarter.

Kyron Martin and former London Lion Remy Udeh led the Rebels with 15 points each. Newcastle Knights put on a professional showing against Scottish League side Edinburgh Blaze as Bradley Dean starred in the 105-77 away win. Dean had 22 points and dished out 6 assists as the Knights shot a solid 50 percent in the win. Spencer Bains had a game-high 28 for the Blaze. It was the same for the Yorkshire Dragons as they ousted Scottish League outfit Falkirk Fury 112-70.

Nick Lewis, Corey Johnson and Jack Mielke combined for 79 points for the Dragons, with the latter leading the way with 29 for the victors.