Gladiators let theleadslipin semi-finalloss
Caledonia Gladiators lost the BBL Trophy that they won last season, but coach Gareth Murray says they take confidence with them as the league resumes this Sunday.
London Lions on Saturday overturned a 15-point deficit, using a pivotal run in the third and opening up a gap in the fourth to beat the East Kilbride side 85-75 in their semi-final, then lost 98-82 to Cheshire Phoenix in the final the following day.
Reaching the final four weekend in Birmingham was an achievement in itself for holders Gladiators, however.
Murray’s side lost their opening matches 100-97 at home to Cheshire Phoenix and 88-81 at Plymouth Patriots, before beating Sheffield Sharks 80-72 on the road and Surrey Scorchers 99-74 at PlaySport.
Results elsewhere then saw them finish second in their group, sending Gladiators to the West Midlands.
“It was good to get to the semi-final,” said Murray.“When we started the trophy we lost our first two games, but won our second two.
“We knew the Cheshire one, the first game of the trophy, was the key game.
“Ultimately they took first place in the group, managed to beat Leicester [in their semi] and did an amazing job on Sunday to beat London in the final.
“Just to get there after losing both our first games meant we gave ourselves a chance.
“We played well against London, but they hit a couple of big shots in the end that gave them the win.
“We were disappointed, but now we refocus, start playing with confidence again, and I think the way we played back in November-December will help us, going forward.”
Gladiators are second in the British Basketball League as they head into a run of pivotal games.
A home game against Bristol Flyers kicks off the second half of the season at PlaySport on Sunday, followed by a trip to Newcastle Eagles on February 9.
A home double-header against Leicester Riders on February 11 and Surrey Scorchers four days later completes a sequence that Murray feels is key.
“We know the first four games are probably pretty vital to where we finish in the league,”said Murray.
“We’re in a good position in second place, but we’ve still got 14 or 15 games to go, so it’s definitely not finished.
“Those games are going to be key to where we finish, and I think we have to win all four to give ourselves a good chance of finishing second at the end of the season.”