Whilst there is still a long, long way to go in the 2026/27 Super League Basketball (SLB) season the signs right now are very encouraging for the Newcastle Eagles. A defensive masterclass against Surrey 89ers saw the Eagles move to a 4-win 2 loss record and a share of second place in the standings.

When you show such togetherness and commitment to your defensive intentions and standards and execute the well assembled scout in the manner Newcastle did on Friday night then there is plenty to get excited about for the months and games to come.

Head Coach Marc Steutel and his players had been a little disappointed and frustrated with losing their unbeaten home record seven days prior to Manchester. They bounced back in real style on the road in Sheffield on the Sunday to take the win and this felt like another positive step forward.

A full-on 40-minute display of dominance at the defensive end gave them the platform to create enough opportunities on offence to nail down an excellent fourth win of the season. Once again, it was a superb all-round team performance with everyone on court contributing.

Eagles had gone into the game without the energetic Kyle Carey and after picking up a knock in the first half had to do without the services of Cam Christon in the second half of Friday’s game. But this Newcastle side has a great next man up attitude finding ways to cover all eventualities.

They had four players with double figure scoring efforts. Starters Blondeau Tchoukiegno had 18 adding in 4 assists and Cole Long 15 completing a double-double with 10 rebounds and producing 4 blocked shots as well to take MVP honours on the night.

From the bench Mitch Clarke once again showed his worth to the team with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists whilst Trevond Barnes had 12 points and 5 rebounds. Perhaps one of the most pleasing aspects for Steutel was his ability to rotate and spread the minutes across the roster.

With a tough game against a physical Liverpool side to play in the newest SLB franchise’s opening home encounter no-one played more than 26:08 as the Eagles showed their tough togetherness and ability to put in a shift no matter what five was on court.

Surrey’s Jalen Graham actually scored the first points of the game with a two-point layup. Little did the visitors know that was as good as it was going to get as Tchoukiegno replied with a deuce of his own and Long tripled in typical style.

Caleb Mcgill made it 5 – 4 before Eagles with five from Tchoukiegno, two more from Long then a triple from Barnes gave Eagles their first double-digit unanswered run of the night and forced a time-out from Surrey Coach Lloyd Gardner.

It was to little avail as Newcastle defended relentlessly and used the effort at that end to spring forward and by the end of the first quarter Eagles had doubled up on the 89ers and led 24 – 12. They kept the pressure on in the second as well extending their lead by another six points.

It meant Newcastle in complete control of the match-up leading 45 – 27 as the side’s headed to the locker rooms to think things over. Surrey with by far having more to think about after being shut down so effectively.

There were though no answers forthcoming. The likes of Captain Josh Ward-Hibbert, Tavis Smith and Sauveur Kande may not have lit up the scoreboard with points a-plenty but they certainly lit up their Coach’s eyes with the support they gave in committed on court displays.

It meant another quarter where the Eagles and whoever were active as the lead soared to 32-points at 69 to 37 by the end of the third. Then as the final quarter opened it was Clarke nailing a triple to start it and peaking the Newcastle advantage at 35-points.

Steutel was even able to give valuable SLB minutes to his younger element as Jalen Shirley and Academy players Joseph Osarenkhoe and Mo Sanyang all rose from their seats to add to their professional on-court minutes and CV.

When the final buzzer went Surrey had actually pinched the final ten minutes by 18 – 13. It was far too little far too late as Newcastle completed a good night’s work with a satisfying job done and put another W in the in the positive column.

Fans not travelling to watch the Eagles in their first visit to Liverpool Basketball this Sunday can follow the game live and free on DAZN.