NURUZADE WINS MOLTEN COACH OF THE MONTH FOR MARCH

In perhaps the most pivotal month in the BCB, the Aldermore Reading Rockets have emerged with one hand and three fingers on the league title.

And because of that, Reading head coach Samit Nuruzade has been named as the Molten BCB Coach of the Month for March.

The Azerbaijani playcaller masterminded a 4-1 record for the Rockets over the month, highlighted by wins over the previously top-of-the-table Newcastle Knights at home and third-placed City of Birmingham Rockets on the road.

However, the month didn't start brightly for the Rockets, as they fell 76-64 at home to the Yorkshire Dragons. Jax Bouknight paced Reading with 19 points, but Jordan Jefferson guided the Dragons with 26 points.

Nuruzade's side rebounded quickly, with a hard-fought 93-77 win over the Nottingham Hoods at Loddon Valley. Bouknight again the high man with 21 points for the Rockets.

It was to be their next performance where Reading really shone. In a top-of-the-table clash, they ambushed the leaders, Newcastle Knights, early and never took their foot off the pedal, shooting 60 percent from the field en route to a 112-71 success that put the Berkshire outfit in pole position for the title.

Less than 24 hours later, they beat the third-placed City of Birmingham Rockets 91-83 as they turned the game on its head in the second half to bag the win. Malik Bryant had 22 points for the visitors.

The Rockets capped the month off with a hard-fought 86-77 victory over the London Cavaliers with bryant again the high man with 16 points.