Understandably head coach Marc Steutel was elated after his Newcastle Eagles side produced a superb performance to defeat Bristol Flyers 97 – 78 in the Super League Basketball Trophy Final at the Utilita Arena Birmingham on Sunday afternoon.
It gave the British basketball’s most successful franchise their 28th national title and it was also a record-extending eighth Trophy Final win.
For Steutel it was his first with Newcastle and the first at the highest level of the sport in this country.
“Defensively we were exceptional. That’s a Newcastle Eagles defensive team”, said Steutel.
“Disruptive, smart, spacing positionally defensively. Our defensive rotations, coverage, execution, intent on rebounding and finishing plays were excellent.
“We turned them over a lot and were able to get some points from those turnovers. Some of the guys might like to get some of the possessions back in transition where we could have been a bit more clinical but I’ll let them enjoy it in terms of what we wanted to achieve so I’m really pleased.
“It’s my first one at this level. I am exceptionally humble at my journey but I’ve won at every level in this country. I’ve been part of teams that have won at Division 3, Division 2, Division 1 so it feels nice to be able to bring a trophy back to Newcastle that’s obviously what it’s about.
“My tenure over these three years has had some ups and downs and its been progressive. But a night like tonight will stay with me a long time. I’ve got the taste and the guys have got a taste for more.
“We want to try and enjoy this one for now but for sure I really hope this can help us move on and springboard the rest of our season.”
Two weeks prior to the Final, Steutel had took his team to Bristol for a SLB Championship game that they lost 98 – 94. Clearly he and his players learned a lot from that game and were able to turn things around in their favour.
“Funny right, players win and coaches lose usually. That’s the way that it goes”, the head coach admitted.
“At Bristol we didn’t achieve what we wanted to. Sometimes though you achieve what you want to but the scoreboard doesn’t show it and that’s basketball and you can accept that.
“But today we achieved everything we wanted to and the scoreboard ticked over with us so I’m really pleased with everyone’s efforts.
“I want the guys to enjoy it for sure and to use it as a springboard. Competing domestically, competing abroad and hopefully we continue to build in the way we can and the way we want too. But we have this Trophy now and we’re going to enjoy this moment.”
One man that has been with the club for every one of those 28 titles and got to lift the Trophy at the end of the game was Captain Darius Defoe, who will now be changing his nickname to ‘Mr 28’.
“We haven’t been in a Final for a while so it feels so good”, Defoe said emotionally post-game.
“I’m so happy for everyone at Newcastle, the team, the fans and just happy for everyone and I’m a bit lost for words.
“Defence wins Championships and all week we’ve been practising our defence making sure it’s locked in so it feels good, it feels real good.
“It’s just great to be on a team where everyone can score. It’s a privilege to play with them and play basketball with this team. I’m honoured to be the Captain.”
The Eagles still have three more titles up for grabs before the end of the season, so British basketball’s most decorated player could yet raise the bar further and change nicknames again.
“I don’t want to jinx it”, the 40-year-old added, “but I’ll keep my fingers crossed and see what happens. For now we’re going to enjoy winning this one.”
This Friday’s league game against London Lions will be a historic homecoming night for the Eagles when will present the SLB Trophy to their fans in a packed Vertu Motors Arena.
Limited tickets to at this week’s special game are still available from the box office.
