Title won now treble is in sight for Steutel
TEAM Northumbria host Hemel Storm on Sunday buoyed by a superb finish to the regular season.
An 82-71 win against Team Solent preceded the presentation of the 2016/17 Division One trophy in front of a boisterous Sport Central crowd.
Playcaller Marc Steutel is now fully focused on securing an historic treble after in-form TN added the league crown to their National Cup success.
“As expected, I thought we did a good job of getting a grip on the game early on against Solent,” said Steutel ahead of this weekend’s play-off quarter-final.
“We maybe lost a little bit of focus at times and I don’t like that but I understand it.
“We could afford to be a little more relaxed after the previous weekend’s result. As the game progressed I thought we controlled the gamer
“Hemel went on a little bit of a run here and there but overall I thought we did a really good job.
“I don’t like the term cruising but I think after winning the league the previous week - and having to play a final match against Solent - there was an aspect of that.
“We probably did lose a bit of concentration at times.
“However, I am happy with the focus the guys had considering everything that is going on.
“I think we did a good job of grinding out the game as it went on and it was another solid win for us.”
It was a fiery affair between two feisty sides but Steutel admitted a competitive game brings out the best in his players.
He added: “It became a bit heated at times.
“Our guys are trying to compete and at the end of the day it is a competition. It is basketball.
“I think teams are coming here and upping their game to try and beat us because of how impressive we have been this season.
“However, that is a good thing and I am glad we have put our programme into the position where that is the case.
“It ensures we are getting the best out of our players.
“It has been the perfect campaign so far.
“We have a few more games to play but we will be celebrating at the end of this season.”
MORE university sport in Friday night’s Grassroots Sport.