This week’s BBL Team of the Week
Demarius Bolds (Prestige Homes MK Lions)
It was a bitter-sweet weekend for Lions’ playmaker Demarius Bolds who was hugely instrumental in handing his team a six point first leg lead in the BBL Trophy semi-final last Friday with a typically impressive performance. However, it ultimately didn’t prove to be a tie-winning one as he and his Lions team-mates were left heartbroken as they lost an overtime thriller in the second leg on Sunday. The fourth appearance in our line-up for Bolds comes courtesy of 31 points including a flawless 10 of 10 from the free-throw line in addition to six rebounds, five assists and four steals.
Joe Chapman (Newcastle Eagles)
There is no other player as hot in the BBL right now than the Eagles ace who makes what is his third successive appearance in our starting line-up as his blistering form continues. He poured in an astonishing 76 points during two pivotal games for his team over the weekend including 39 points in a vital and thrilling BBL Championship success at Worcester Wolves. However the second best display in the BBL this week came 24 hours earlier against One Health Sharks Sheffield in the BBL Trophy semi-final first leg when the guard helped the Eagles put one foot firmly in the Final. He fired 37 points including a terrific 9 of 11 inside and six triples.
Michael Ojo (UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders)
One of the ‘X-factor’ players for Raiders, Michael Ojo is something of an unsung hero this season with his contributions absolutely vital in many games, often coming off the bench. A great three-point shooter and incredible free-throw taker, Ojo finally gets some recognition for his efforts after a brilliant 21 points for his team in the BBL Trophy semi-final second leg against Lions. It was arguably the telling contribution in the game as he made a superb and perfect five of five from downtown but also did plenty of good work defensively with seven rebounds and a very impressive five steals to break Lions’ hearts and help his team reach their second showpiece final of the season.
Ayron Hardy (Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders)
It shows just how good Ayron Hardy was playing in the first part of the season that even after an absence of some seven weeks from the line-up, he is still the outright leader in the race to finish as the player with the most BBL Team Of The Week appearances. The forward bounces back in real style by posting the best performance of the weekend with a highly efficient 10 of 12 inside helping him harvest 20 points in a BBL Championship victory over One Health Sharks Sheffield. Hardy showcased his wide ranging skill-set by completing a double-double thanks to 10 rebounds and he also dished up six assists.
Paul Williams (UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders)
The big man fouled out of the BBL Cup Final in total frustration last month to make his experience an extra miserable one so it’s perhaps not surprising he was out to make amends and make sure he helped Raiders back into another final with a powerful showing against the Lions. He claimed a massive double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds in the thrilling overtime win with seven of those boards offensive which is an outstanding number. This is the third time the center has made our line-up this season.
Off The Bench – Paul Gause (Newcastle Eagles), Charles Smith (Newcastle Eagles), Mychal Green (Glasgow Rocks), Richie Gordon (Worcester Wolves), Justin Dobbins (One Health Sharks Sheffield)
