BASKETBALL- BBL Final and South Cheshire Champions

It Is All About Basketball

Just two days after watching Leicester Riders retain the BBL title CHS’ basketball team were crowned South Cheshire Champions.
 

On Sunday 12^th January, 20 students and staff travelled to the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham to join a crowd of 9,000 to watch the BBL Cup Final for the 2^nd successive year. Leicester Riders were looking to retain the cup they won last year, but they went into the final 6 minutes trailing by 11 points. However, with the help of Newcastle scoring the fewest points in the fourth quarter of a BBL Cup match, the Rider overturned the deficit to win 72:69.
 

The CHS contingency were split with some spurring on the Eagles, some the Riders and some in a neutral perspective.

 

Matty Jones, who attended the event, writes “Another Year of Despair, after losing out on the BBL cup in last year’s final, by a narrow margin, I thought 2014 would be Newcastle Eagles year. All they had to do was beat last year’s final opponents the Leicester Riders at the NIC in Birmingham. We started brightly showing signs of a great if not world class basketball team. Smith our veteran was shooting for fun, having a field day against the Riders defence he ended up recording an impressive 27 points. As the game established our lead grew to double figures going into the final six minutes. Surely the cup was going home with the Eagles? But no. The crowd rallied the Riders up as they started to hit some big baskets, and a controversial decision did give them help as Eagles form man, Gaues was wrongly fouled out of the game. With the backing of the majority of the 9,000 fans in the crowd and the outstanding performance from Great Britain captain and MVP winner; Sullivan, Riders dragged themselves to a 72-69 victory. The crowd were in a state of excitement when I was left once again with my head in my hands. Eagles left Birmingham without a trophy for the second year running. However there is always next year”.
 

On Tuesday 14^th January, CHS travelled to the South Cheshire Basketball Championships at Brine Lees High School still with the buzz of watching an enthralling final, two days before. The CHS squad seemed to have picked up a few tips and tricks from the professionals with all the players doing their bit in a strong performance for CHS throughout the competition. This consistency prevailed with CHS crowned South Cheshire Champions much to the delight of coach and principal, Mr Hermitt.
 

Written by Adam Bailey