It was a record-breaking night for the Newcastle Eagles as they brought the curtain down on their 2025/26 European North Basketball League campaign. In a spectacular shooting performance, they completely outplayed and outshot their Czech Republic opposition.

BK Olomoucko simply had no answer to the Eagles superior power and all-round play as the basketball continued to drop at will once Newcastle got into their stride after an early scare. It was simply sensational from Head Coach Marc Steutel’s side.

The ENBL single game record is now Newcastle’s after their 128-point effort. Their 23 made from 43 attempted 3-point shots tied the ENBL record for a single game and 73 points in the second half was also another record.

As well as those made 23 of 43 3-point shots, Eagles made 22 of 33 inside the paint and were 100% from the free-throw line with 15 of 15. Throw in 30 assists 13 steals and only six turnovers committed, 39-points from 24 forced turnovers and the level of dominance was obvious.

Individually the Eagles were led by rookie professional Ray’Sean Taylor who had an astonishing 38 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds and 6 steals. An out-ray-geous performance that saw his 9 of 14 three-point shots made create another ENBL record for an individual in a single game.

Not that Taylor was alone in hitting double-digits. Cole Long had 20 points including 6 of 10 from 3-point range. Mitch Clarke adding 16, Deion Hammond 14, Maceo Jack 11, and Manny Kanwei 10. Terrell Burden and Gus Okafor almost making it eight in double figures with 8-points each.

Despite all that it looked and felt much different early on as the game got underway. Olomoucko making the better start and with Mirek Kvapil doing well inside took a 17-10 lead. Point guards Kobe Elvis and Ondrej Siska providing the bullets and looking threatening.

But Steutel changed his rotations and subbed in Long, Taylor, Sauver Kande and then Clarke and they provided the energy and the spark for everyone else to feed off. Eagles ripped off a 13-1 run to end the quarter in fine style and take a 5-point lead into the second period.

Taylor made it a 15-1 run with the first basket of the second 10-minutes and then Newcastle added five more to completely take control of the tie. The starters also coming back in to supplement the stellar efforts of their bench teammates.

Ex-Leicester Rider Jaren Holmes did help the Czechs to steady rather than rally their ship, but Eagles were soon back at it and once again finished the period powerfully. Hammond and Jack outside and Kanwei inside playing their part.

Another big 14-3 run to the half time buzzer gave them an excellent 22-point advantage to take into the locker rooms at 55-33. Game over it seemed but Newcastle wanted more and in an incredible second half achieved exactly that.

Elvis on 13-personal points left the game with an injury leaving Holmes almost out on his own. The forward did manage 24 points for a good individual performance but had no real support and assistance to make even the smallest on indents into the Newcastle scoring power.

Indeed, Eagles were already on another nine-point unanswered run as time ticked down in the third before with 2:21 to go to the final quarter, Canadian Long exploded in astonishing style. He made five triples in a row to end the quarter making it a 24-point unanswered run to put Eagles up 92-48.

Taylor then opened the final stanza with another triple to make it a 27-point run as the Eagles continued with relentless efficiency. And indeed, it was the ‘Ray’Sean Taylor’ show in the final period. He netted an incredible 24-points in the final ten minutes as he led his side home.

It included six triples as he confirmed his MVP status on the night and ensured that the loyal Eagles fanbase in the Vertu Arena all went home with huge smiles on their faces having seen their favourites really nail down a superb performance.

It was a marvellous way to bounce back from the disappointment of last Sunday’s SLB Trophy Final against London Lions and showed just what this Eagles side are capable of. It was also a statement way to end what ultimately has been an unsuccessful ENBL campaign.

The bitter sweetness of such a great win was though tempered by the fact that it was too little too late. Results elsewhere this week in the ENBL and games still to come actually mean Newcastle cannot go through to the play-off stages which is a big disappointment.

But all basketball games are important and wins especially wins with performances like this can certainly give any team confidence and momentum going forward. That’s what Newcastle needs as they move forward in the domestic SLB season with a trip to Leicester on Sunday afternoon.