It was a really momentous weekend for Newcastle Eagles as they faced their third consecutive double-header task. This time with both games on the road and quite a distance to travel between the two contests.
On Friday they poured misery on the winless Leicester Riders in the Mattioli Arena by taking a solid professional 101 – 80 victory over Rob Paternostro’s team. They then followed that up with a thrilling tough competitive encounter at the Playsport Arena up in Scotland.
The hard-fought 99 – 92 win over Caledonia Gladiators was a really impressive victory especially as Eagles lost three of the four quarters. They had to come back from a deficit and then hold off a determined Gladiators charge in the final quarter.
Head Coach Marc Steutel had this to say after two wins that see’s Newcastle move to a 6-win 3 loss record and consolidate their second place in the standings.
“I’m really really proud of the team. You look at the circumstances we’ve had to face over the last couple of weeks and these things are important,” said Steutel.
“We look at being depleted we get on the road Friday get back silly o’clock in the morning and then we have to travel north today.
“We still have a depleted squad, and we want to play high intensity physical basketball which takes its toll on the group. Missing two key parts of the rotation in terms of Kyle and Cam adds an extra toll on everybody.
“Caledonia the last weekend they played they came off two wins, and they had two weeks rest, and they came out like they had two week’s rest with a level of energy about them that was really impressive and we took a lot of time to just stay around.
“We made some really good basketball plays but we couldn’t find our defensive rhythm and then that third quarter was just electric. We’ve had a lot of good basketball in my time at five seasons at Newcastle and that third quarter is up there with them.
“Ten minutes of the best basketball we’ve seen. Basketball is a game of runs particularly at this level and with the offensive firepower that Caledonia have. I felt we had enough. We got a lot of clean looks, but the guys were physically exhausted down the stretch.
“We were still trying to make a lot of the right plays but that last little bit of being clinical we couldn’t get there. It posed for a close game, but when it came down to it, we made key plays at key times. It was a massive team win. The spirit the togetherness the energy.
“Such an important team win on the road. Caledonia is a tough team to play against. They played at such a pace today. I’m really proud of the guys putting in an incredible amount of effort and togetherness over the weekend.
“Massive team win but shout-out to Mitch Clarke who was huge down the stretch and someone that is just getting better with every moment. Trevond Barnes was exceptional throughout the whole game and has been playing really good basketball.
“One of the fun things about the season is there’s been ups and downs. Everyone catches rhythm at different points. This is a group that when someone’s in rhythm, we’re happy to keep working with them.
“Blondeau rebounding for a point guard to get 11 rebounds. The way that Cole Long is shooting the ball and continuing to be a threat is amazing.
“Then you look at Tavis who had 6 assists put a lot of pressure on the paint, looked after the ball, and still causes so many problems for the opposition’s scout. He’s such an unselfish passer and want to get his guys involved and putting pressure on the defence that he has to do.
“I’m really really proud of the team. We have a long way to go but really happy that they’re going to get a chance to rest now before we see Bristol on Friday. We expect a really physical basketball game but happy there’s no travel involved and we can hopefully get guys back.
“I say this a lot, but I never want it to lose any value, but the final point is the travelling fans. They were with us in Leicester on Friday and then they’re here today. Even that first quarter and the first half when we’re still trying to find rhythm they’re with us.
“We can hear them and feel them and then that third quarter. It felt like it was the Vertu Arena. So massive thank you to the fans who give us a boost, and I think they like feeding off the energy that this team provides.”
That Bristol game that Steutel mentioned is this coming Friday in the Vertu Arena with the usual tip-off of 7:30pm. Whilst not wanting to take anything for granted a third consecutive win would really show the SLB that this is a Newcastle side that means business this season.
Tickets for Friday night are available from the box office.
