Knights defeat Eagles
Stirling Knights Basketball Club have continued where they left off last year by claiming the biggest scalp in the club’s history.
After claiming the U16 men’s Division 1 and play-off titles last season, coach Les McGlasson has made a bold move to delve into the English National Cup. He hoped it would put his team up against some of the biggest teams in Great Britain.
Knights drew Newcastle Eagles, a club steeped in history who can claim the accolade as the most successful basketball club in the British Basketball League – having won the BBL league or Cup 13 times. And the Stirling team pulled of a stunning victory south of the border.
The Knights knew nothing less than a top performance would cope against such experienced and well-coached players.
In buoyant mood, the Knights travelled on Sunday morning over Hadrian’sWall.
The Eagles were bigger and more athletic, and from the start this looked like a tough one to win.
The Knights kept fighting hard and from a 7-point deficit in the first quarter pulled it together in the second and led at half-time by 20 points.
Newcastle came out fighting for their cup survival at the start of the third with a 10–0 run but the Knights replied with a 31–5 run to put the tie well out of sight of the hosts with a 92–53 win.
Stirling’s top scorers were Callum McGlasson (22 points), Rob Gilmour (19 points) and Jack Hencher, William Kemp and Louis Dalziel (all with 13 points).
The Knights now expect a tough second-round tie at home to City of Leeds Basketball Academy. The game takes place at 3pm at the Peak on Sunday.
Elsewhere, the senior men lost 91–69 to a good Fury team.
And the Knights U17Men shared a similar yet closer fate with a defeat to Fury U18s, having led for the majority of the game.
The season ahead for the young team will be difficult at times following the departure of four of its best players. GB internationalist Lewis McGlasson, GB nominee Louis Sullivan, Ruari Doherty and Lucas Hamill – top Scotland internationalists – are now seeking the next steps towards professional careers in basketball by moving to one of the top Basketball College Academies in England, Myerscough College.
Coach and Head of Youth Development McGlasson said:“Our club is set up to provide the opportunities to rise well above the general standards of the game in Scotland. Results will always come and go as will players; our job is to set them in the right direction and the loss of players to better basketball environments are proud moments to be celebrated by all involved at this very young club.”
This week’s fixtures – Knights senior men v Glasgow University on Friday at 7.40pm; U16 men v Glasgow City on Saturday at 11am; U18 men v Perth Phoenix on Saturday at 1pm; U16Men v City of Leeds Academy, Sunday at 3pm.
Spectators welcome. All games are free entry.