The Darlington Storm B Team has advanced to the final of the plate competition, after defeating the Teesside Lions 67-47.

 

After defeating the Lions both times this regular season, the Storm was expected to advance past the Lions with ease. In the end, there were no emotions for the Darlington-based team, after maintaining a double digit lead for most of the game and winning every quarter.

 

Storm took control of the game early, mostly thanks to captain Ben Emerson, who scored the most points in the game, scoring 23 points and gaining the MVP of the game award.

 

However, the end of the second quarter saw the Teesside Lions beginning to build a potential comeback, due to some complacency in the Storm defence.

 

When interviewed at half time, coach Leo Cassidy didn’t hesitate to challenge his players to do better in the second half: 

 

'On offence we need to move the ball a little bit quicker and we need to do a better job pressuring the board and getting some rebounds. We’re a quicker, more athletic team than they are, but, at the minute we’re not putting in the same effort as they are in trying to get the rebound.'

 

After adjustments were made at half time regarding rebounding and defence and Serhat Ozkanli finding his form in the second half, scoring 16 points, Storm took full control of the game and brought home a 20-point win which secured them a place in the Plate Competition Final.

 

In the post-game, Leo Cassidy was excited at the opportunity of silverware for the team, claiming:

 

'It’s good, it’s been a tough season for us, we’ve had injuries, we’ve had guys not being available, but it’s good at the end of the season to have something to play for. We’ve worked hard all year and things haven’t gone our way, but we are still here, we’re still fighting and it’s good to have a chance to win something.'

 

The Storm B team will now prepare for the final, in which they will welcome the Golden Smog B team on home court.