Cheshire, Bristol chalk up wins; Surrey’s impressive resurgence continues

A three-game slate continued Super League Basketball championship action, and it did not disappoint.

With excitement stirring around the Super League Basketball Trophy finals, the regular-season continued to showcase a brilliant brand of basketball.

Caledonia Gladiators 76 – 101 Cheshire Phoenix

Patrick Robinson and the Cheshire Phoenix continued their impressive campaign with a dominant victory over the Caledonia Gladiators at Playsport.

Cheshire was firing on all cylinders in the opening quarter as they outscored their opponents by 16-29, with Robinson contributing seven points to this total.

Proceedings continued in a similar manner as the Phoenix continued their fantastic offensive performance. Caledonia’s Lloyd Alvin Bryan Jr. ensured that this tie was not over before it had begun by chalking up nine second-quarter points.

Both teams traded blows as the second half began, but with around five minutes left on the clock, Robinson displayed his dangerous skill set on the interior and scored six quick points to swing the momentum back in Cheshire’s favour.

The Gladiators were not willing to lie down without a fight as their effort continued deep into the fourth quarter; however, the damage was already done, and the Cheshire Phoenix would be walking away with a well-deserved victory.

Player of the Game: Patrick Robinson (Cheshire Phoenix)

Leicester Riders 80-89 Surrey 89ers

The Surrey 89ers’ resounding regular-season resurgence continued with a back-and-forth victory over the Leicester Riders, led by a phenomenal forward, Isiah Small, who finished the game with 19 points, seven rebounds, eight assists, and two blocks.

It would be the Riders who imposed their will to commence this intriguing matchup. Marc Loving scored seven points to establish Leicester with a narrow three-point lead as the first quarter came to a close.

Surrey emphatically struck back in the second period by outscoring their opponents by nine points. Kino Lily Jr. continued to steal the hearts of 89ers fans by draining two expert three-point attempts.

The ding-dong battle continued as the Riders stole the momentum after the half-time break, winning the third quarter by a score of 20-14, leaving the game tied at 59-59 heading into the final period of play.

Inspiration landed in the hands of Tyrin Lawrence as he led the Surrey 89ers to victory with seven points, two assists, and two steals in the fourth quarter.

Player of the Game: Isiah Small (Surrey 89ers)

Manchester Basketball 80-85 Bristol Flyers

Manchester Basketball fell to defeat at the hands of the Bristol Flyers despite the home team turning in an imposing second-half performance. 20 points and seven rebounds from Bristol’s Zachary Anderson ensured the Flyers would head home with their ninth victory on the season.

Kaiyem Cleary and Patrick Smith Jr. combined for 10 points in the first quarter to put Manchester into the ascendancy and left Bristol searching for a way back into the fixture.

The Flyers burst out of the traps in the second period, holding Manchester to just 10 points, while lighting up the scoreboard themselves to head into the break with an 11-point lead.

12 points from Manchester’s Max Jones allowed the home team to regain control of this tie, but Bristol continued to knock down shots and maintain a 10-point lead as the final period commenced.

A late flurry of free throws from Evan Walshe and Jonathan Brown poured cold water on a Manchester comeback that looked on the horizon as Jordan Johnson scored seven points to cut into the deficit.

Player of the Game: Zachary Anderson (Bristol Flyers)

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