Newcastle Eagles returned to the Vertu Arena court after the summer break on Sunday afternoon with their first pre-season game in front of fans.

The Eagles cruised to victory over the the touring USA Select team 97-65, watched by a delighted crowd of sponsors, supporters and staff in one of the club’s best attended warm-up tip-offs.

It was a chance to see the new additions from over the summer as Newcastle head coach Marc Steutel got Ray’Sean Taylor, Caleb Huffman and Brett Reed started from the off alongside returner Cole Long and captain Josh Ward-Hibbert.

Newcastle would take their time to adapt to their opening game, with only a behind-closed-doors scrimmage against Newcastle University Knights on Friday in the books so far.

The black and white are off to winning ways with an 80-68 victory over the neighbouring Knights and the weekend’s ‘W’.

USA Select got an early lead, before returning Eagle Cole Long would score six unanswered points to give his team a lead they would for the rest of the game.

An avalanche of points would fly in at end of the 1st quarter as Brett Reed, Malcolm Smith, Mitch Clarke, and Ray’Sean Taylor got the Eagles’ lead up to 17.

The 2nd quarter would open the flood gates as the Eagles scored 33-points and carried a 57-23 lead into half-time.

In the 2nd half, USA Select would still have no answer for the home team’s attack as they continued to be out-fought at both ends of the floor.

Steutel’s side secured a convincing 97 – 65 victory to set-out their stall for a hotly anticipated 2025/26 season with a dominant performance in this opener.

New summer signing Brett Reed impressed on his debut for the club, showing great power to drive and finish at the rim. Reed finished the game with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and shooting 100% from the field.

Other debutants Ray’Sean Taylor, Caleb Huffman and Emmanuel Kanwei put up some big numbers with the trio tallying 38-points between them.

Mitch Clarke displayed his ability to score from deep, which is something Eagles fans will be looking forward to in the months ahead.

The Eagles tip-off in their final pre-season home game this Sunday 14 September with a 4:30pm tip-off. Tickets are available from the box office.