Our BBL players of the week – Playoff quarter-finals weekend

Well that had everything. A blowout of huge proportions and squeaky bum time for Wolves and Jets’ fans. Sandwiched in between we saw a Rundles’ masterclass and a Sterling effort from Davis’ men with no Love for Gavin from his guys in the last ten yet again.

We had a beat writer at every game. Here are our BBL players of the week for the quarter-finals of the playoffs.

OleDJ attended Newcastle Eagles v Guildford Heat

Joe Chapman (Newcastle Eagles) – Criticism of Eagles’ season ending ‘rest’ + a glaring omission from the guards in the BBL fans’ team of the year + overwhelming desire to sweep this season = big trouble for any team in Joe Chapman’s path. Unfortunately for Guildford it was they who felt the heat as the former Marquette shooting guard blitzed the visitors with bomb after bomb, leaving the second leg a mere formality. Joe ended up with 33 points and six assists and is red hot going into the playoff semi-final. Watch out Team Mohawk.

A shout out to Paul Gause too, who on most nights would have won the accolade with a big 25 point 10 assist double double from the bench. In fact, the two Newcastle guards managed to outscore Guildford between them! Ouch.

Dave Bell attended Sheffield Sharks v Leicester Riders and Keith Firmin attended the second leg – this is what they both said about:

Cameron Rundles (Leicester Riders)

Dave – Interchangeable on the night with many Leicester players, Rundles lit up the court with visionary passing, drives to the basket, showman-like dribbles and a scoring threat from distance or under the basket. In a side where a wingman or a centre can suddenly find themselves making the play, Rundles enthusiasm shone like a beacon to the extent where he changed shot in mid-air having ruled out scoring with his initial attempt. Quite rightly, the versatility of Ayron Hardy has drawn appreciative nods from all around the country this season. However, one cannot fail to be drawn to the energetic and productive nature of Rundles’ all-action displays.

Keith – In his first taste of BBL playoff basketball, point guard Cameron Rundles stepped up to the plate in the best way possible.

In the first leg at the EIS, Rundles displayed his capabilities as a leader, going for 25 points to get his team the W. And in the second game back in Loughborough, Rundles showed that in terms of potential, the sky is the limit, scoring 29 points on 63% shooting from the field and at times single-handedly carrying the offensive load to help his team crush the Sharks, 182-141 on aggregate.

Damian attended Worcester Wolves v Cheshire Jets

Adam Brown (Cheshire Jets) – Disappointingly Wolves were out coached and outplayed when it mattered and while the curtain has fallen on their best ever season in the top flight of British Basketball I cannot pick a wolf out of the pack over a Jet. This was the most dominant I had seen Brown who led by example to get the Jets home level to start again on Sunday. Brown shot a frankly silly 77% with 14/23 from the field (including 3 from 4 from 20 feet) and 6/6 from the line. He was on it, and every time he found his way in to the frontcourt he looked as if he would take something away with him and almost every time he did.

Callum Carson attended Glasgow Rocks v Plymouth Raiders

Mychal Green (Glasgow Rocks) – With 27 and 26 points against the Raiders respectively the Green Machine was Rocks player of the weekend. As well as a 53 point two game total his buzzer beating 3 at the end of the third on Sunday was a crucial part of their success.

Rob Jeffries attended both legs of Cheshire Jets v Worcester Wolves

Colin O’Reilly (Cheshire Jets) – Without wanting to sound like a broken record but it has to be Colin O’Reilly again. His shooting was only 45% over the weekend but in terms of overall performance – yet again he was outstanding I felt. The ONLY player on either side to get a double-double in both legs vs Wolves. I mean what more does the man have to do to be included in the official TotW? Big mention to Nathan Schall who really stepped up in the first leg.