Surrey Scorchers earned what some would consider to be a ‘shock’ win at the British Basketball All-Stars Championships on Sunday. Let’s take a look back on the historic day as it happened…
Here’s a little reminder of the rules for today’s tournament:
1⃣2⃣ Minute matches with a 14 second shot clock
🚨 A 2-minute Power Play for each side worth double points
🎯 A 5-point shot zone
🔄 Rolling substitutions #OneGoal #BritishBasketball #AllStars pic.twitter.com/JJuJcgQRDZ— Surrey Scorchers (@surreyscorchers) October 14, 2018
It was vital that Scorchers were clued up on the tournament format. A game that creates a much more up-tempo style of play, with little room for error when it comes to fouls and shots from the perimeters.
Whilst players settled themselves into the 6,000 seater arena in Stratford, we spoke to captain Tayo Ogedengbe ahead of round 1 against Bristol Flyers.
Ogedengbe went on to emphasise his intention to just enjoy the day, “The team feel great this morning and very positive, most importantly, we just want to go out there and have fun as it’s been a tough start to the season.”
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After a tough opening round loss to Flyers, the team re-grouped and took their time to figure out how to exploit the fast paced format to suit their own game.
On reflection Tayo believed that playing Worcester Wolves was where it all changed, “We were a little dazed by the first game but we needed it to figure out how we could play and what would be our best options on court. We really figured it out in our second game the was the turning point and we were rolling from there.”
Round three had an element of deja vú as the Surrey side had to face Bristol Flyers again to earn their place in the semi-final. Having lost to them once before, Creon Raftopoulos’ side clearly learned from their mistakes and ran out winners by 10-points.
🔥 @surreyscorchers bounce back after losing their opening fixture, beating @BristolFlyers 36-27 to book their place in the @AllStars_BB against @NewcastleEagle #AllStars pic.twitter.com/q6h9R5jEe0
— All-Stars Basketball (@AllStars_BB) October 14, 2018
Newcastle Eagles awaited in the semi-final, a challenge many believed would be too much for the Scorchers to live up to. But Jordan Williams, seemingly un-phased by the pressured occasion, dominated the game and with the help of a consistent Scorchers side they booked themselves a place in the final.
Boom 💥 that one meant a lot to @Tayotweets! @surreyscorchers are into the @AllStars_BB final, who will meet them there? #AllStars pic.twitter.com/oQodwxVlw8
— All-Stars Basketball (@AllStars_BB) October 14, 2018
It all came down to this. Scorchers were to face the Leicester Riders in the final, little did we know the close game that was about to unfold in the Copper Box Arena.
The game grew to an intense crescendo; the final minutes witnessing a Riders sin-bin and a technical foul on Coach Creon that would result in one minute of overtime. As the final buzzer sounded Surrey Scorchers emerged victorious, with Jordan Williams deservedly taking home the Championship’s MVP award.
🏆🔥
What a turnaround from @surreyscorchers after losing their first match today! #AllStars pic.twitter.com/OHXJIwZ5X1
— All-Stars Basketball (@AllStars_BB) October 14, 2018
OMG @surreyscorchers I’m so proud of you guys, everything coach has been working on comes down to these moments 🏆🏆🏆 #onegoal pic.twitter.com/Fz74M69DC9
— mitch mitchell (@mitchmitchell21) October 14, 2018
We may have had a slow start of the season but tonight we showed the whole country what we are made and capable of!!! Congrats @surreyscorchers in winning the @AllStars_BB !!! More than well deserved!! 🏆🏀✌ pic.twitter.com/bcUPVD6rZm
— Ana Gómez (@anatgomez707) October 14, 2018
📷: @surreyscorchers pull off the stunner at @AllStars_BB! pic.twitter.com/4dny4zpCl4
— Hoopsfix 🇬🇧🏀 (@Hoopsfix) October 14, 2018
The @surreyscorchers won the @AllStars_BB championship! Well done Creon @Tayotweets @cayraf92 @_TaylorMade25 @Hardwork_Rio @thelastchill @YM4williams @henrywilkins7 @Akoukou123 @IAMJSTEEL @davidjadams6 @coach_craneuk.I am always proud of you but today made my little heart happy. pic.twitter.com/PlJNv6kIES
— Amelia Hayward (@mediaamelia) October 14, 2018
Man what can I say right now…… when passion meets opportunity, thank you to the @surreyscorchers fans we ❤️u and also all the fans we gained today that believed in us ❤️ pic.twitter.com/eob1TdHFJa
— Tayo Ogedengbe (@Tayotweets) October 14, 2018
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