So, the hoped for miracle did not unsurprisingly occur. Newcastle Eagles going out at the first stage of the play-offs to the all-conquering London Lions 88-69 on the night and 178-141 on aggregate. A heavy sounding and looking defeat over the two-legs but so many mitigating circumstances.

Eagles had to play the first leg at home on Friday without top scorers Ray’Sean Taylor and Maceo Jack. Point guard Terrell Burden Jr. was also out injured alongside Deion Hammond. Against a fully stacked Lions roster it made the task nigh on impossible.

To come out of that game with only an 18-point deficit was testament to the pride determination and effort Head Coach Marc Steutel’s players put in backed up by their always passionate coach. It made Sunday night’s trip to the iconic Crystal Palace a virtual Mission Impossible.

Deion Hammond was able to return to bolster the roster and his presence was very much appreciated and needed. Unfortunately, though the Eagles were hit by another hammer blow in the first quarter that further hampered and ultimately ended their chances.

Newcastle had the audacity to actually lead the London early on in the first half. With Manny Kanwei playing tough inside, Gus Okafor starting powerfully and Mitch Clarke prompting they tamed the Lions in the opening exchanges. Josh Ward-Hibbert also playing a pivotal part.

Eagles opened with the first five points unanswered of the game. They also led 7-2 and 11-6 in a courageous and determined effort. Then the hammer blow. Clarke who has been so influential went out of the game with an injury.

He tried to return bravely to help his side but was clearly hampered by the injury on the side of his body and left the court in a lot of pain with 1:47 to go in the first period. Devastatingly for Eagles he was unable to return leaving them with no-one to run the point in the manner they needed.

A roster now down to six players was never ever going to be enough but they still managed to take the first period 20-18 although Lions were beginning to get into their stride. And so, it proved in a similar fashion to Friday night in the second period.

The Lions opened the second ten minutes with an 8-0 run to take the lead and force Steutel into a time-out. It stemmed the flow for a little with an Okafor triple bringing them within a single point at 30-29 but that was as good as it got.

Lions particularly inside showing their power as they started to pull away. Having a 12-man roster all fit and available also helped them enormously. They were able to rotate at will and give Eagles so many different looks and line-ups to contend with and defend.

Eagles stuck at their task manfully but in reality, could not stop the Lions charge. The hosts taking the second quarter by 31-16 to establish a 49-36 lead on the night as the teams headed for the locker rooms.

Now, it was about pride for Newcastle and ensuring that they did not bend nor break. To their absolute credit they gave everything although were always up against it they did not allow Lions to savage them in the second half.

Eagles did lose both the final periods. The third by 21-18 and the final one 18-15 but it was a measure of their commitment that they never allowed London to let up. Lions paying Eagles respect as they themselves played tough for the full forty minutes.

By the end of the game London had played all twelve players with only one, Shavar Reynolds Jr. on his way to a double-double of ten points and ten assists playing more than 19 minutes. Aaryn Rai also picking up a double-double of ten points and eleven rebounds.

Everyone of the Lions scored on the night. Amin Adamu and Ciaran Sandy from the bench also netting ten points from the bench and no-one had less than five points. Their seven-man non-starters contributing 52 of London’s points.

Newcastle so severely short-handed only had a two-man bench which contributed 14 points all of which came from Hammond. Therein lay the difference and the gap between the two sides not just on Sunday but across the two games.

To add to Hammond’s double-digit effort, Kanwei took a deserved MVP with 18 points and 9 rebounds showing the promise and progress he’s made in a stellar rookie SLB season. Cole Long had 14 points and 7 rebounds with Okafor going for 12 points and 6 rebounds.

Captain Josh Ward-Hibbert led by example throughout and one wonders where Newcastle might have finished if he had not missed the vast majority of the season through injury. His 11 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists against his old club showing his all-round game.

The end analysis of the Eagles season will probably bring reflections that it was a disappointing one for a much-storied franchise. They went out of the European North Basketball League early and the SLB Cup at the hands of Lions in the first round and finished eighth in the standings.

They did though add to their legacy although not their trophy haul with a visit to Birmingham for the SLB Trophy Final but once again had to contend with London who now long well on course to complete a domestic clean sweep.

For Newcastle and Steutel in particular it’s time for rest and recuperation and then reflection. Some will be back many will not as plans will begin in earnest for the season to come. Recharge and refresh and come back flying will be the Eagles definite intention.