Mike Okauru may have taken the MVP award in Newcastle Eagles 97-78 Super League Basketball Trophy Final win at the Utilita Arena on Sunday, but he didn’t top score on the day for the Eagles.
That honour went to Seneca Knight who dropped 22 points in just 21 minutes adding in 5 rebounds as he shot 6/7 from 2-point range and 3/6 from beyond the arc as well as adding 1/1 from the ‘charity stripe’.
In a game where he also got into foul trouble it was his big 14-point second quarter that added to his back court partner Okauru’s explosive first ten minutes that really cemented the game and had the Trophy virtually in Newcastle’s hands by the half.
Knight who was the leading scorer in the European North Baseball League last campaign and caught Eagles Head Coach Marc Steutel’s eye when he played for Valmeria Glass against Newcastle was jubilant at the final buzzer on Sunday.
“It feels great. This is my first Championship in my pro career and it feels amazing”, said Knight.
“My teammates tell me to go out there and do what I do. They believe and I believe that no-one on the court can guard me and I have a great team that allows me to show that.”
“We have a really good connection and relationship. We both know that we can go and any night one of us or both of us can get it rolling.
“If he’s rolling then he tries to switch it off me then I’m rolling. We take turns and just have fun out there.”
Despite the Eagles hitting 97 points in the game and with Okauru and Knight combining for 41 together, it was the team’s defence that was the real force behind the win.
“When it comes down to it, defence wins Championships, offence just brings the crowds in”, Knight added.
“Today we were able to hit the train on both sides.”
“One of the things when I first knew I was coming to Newcastle was that I wanted to set out and win some Championships, add to the legacy that the Eagles have, and I’ve been able to do it so I’m very excited. We’re chasing our dreams right now.”
With a European North Basketball League Playoffs secured and so much of the Super League Basketball Championship still to play before the post-season, there’s no doubt the Eagles will continue to be a team to be reckoned with.
