Seneca Knight fired a warning shot to Newcastle’s rivals at home and abroad after insisting the Eagles aren’t done winning yet.

Critics had been quick to write off the Tynesiders’ hopes of adding to the 2025 Trophy following a streak of five domestic losses on the bounce.

But Knight and co. struck back in style against fierce rivals Sheffield on Friday — and face the Sharks again today  full of confidence.

“We’ve put ourselves in a strong position in the Championship and once we get to the playoffs anything can happen,” said the US guard after Newcastle closed out an impressive 80-67 win against Atiba Lyons’ men.

“We’ve made the Final Four of the European North Basketball League and that’s another one where we have a chance to win a title.

“This is why we play basketball — to win things. Sitting where we do now in both competitions, anything can happen.”

The Eagles still have a fight on their hands in the race to finish fourth but a first league win in six was more like it from the men in black.

Knight returned to the starting five following a bout of illness to bag a game high 20 points — shooting seven of nine from the field.

And a battling display from the hard-nosed hosts was too much for former Newcastle favourites Rickey McGill and Rodney Glasgow Jnr as the Sharks pair failed to deliver on their return to the Vertu Motors Arena.

“I wouldn’t say we were feeling the pressure ahead of Friday,” added Knight. “But that felt like a big win.

“It was about reminding ourselves of our responsibilities and why we set the goals we did at the beginning of the season. We know we can’t drop five games without asking some serious questions.

“We hold each other accountable and always have done. What you saw against Sheffield was a collective response.”

Sharks found themselves on the back foot from the start as Steutel’s men swarmed all over their rivals with ruthless efficiency.

Defensively dialled in and in the mood to drop some big buckets, the hosts leapt into a deserved first quarter lead.

And although Sheffield closed to within a point at the outset of the final period this was one game Newcastle were never going to drop.

“We just came together as a team throughout the week,” explained Knight. “It was one of our first full weeks of practice in a long time and we made the most of it.

“We enjoyed the time together and talked about getting back to our roots — getting back to doing what we do best which is bringing our defensive energy and defensive intensity.

“We want to win every game but given the fact that we’re back at their place this weekend it was important to get that one against Sheffield.

“It feels good to be going down there on the back of a strong performance.”

Steutel had called for poise and focus ahead of a must-win game for a roster missing long-term absentee Malcolm Delpeche.

And Newcastle’s head coach was delighted with the way his players corralled and contained a Sheffield roster boasting multiple offensive threats.

“Prentiss Nixon, Rickey McGill and Donovan Clay — the two guards and the big — keep coaches awake at night,” admitted Steutel.

“They’re really difficult to try to plan for. But I just thought with that level of consistency defensively we were able to do a good job.

“Nixon is a hell of a player but I thought Josh Ward-Hibbert made his life very difficult by doing the right things consistently throughout the game.

“Psychologically, we have to understand that Sunday’s a completely different challenge again.

“When you see teams twice in the space of two or three days the team that loses probably comes out with a little bit more urgency.

“We’ll be ready for that but for now we need to take the positives from a very important win.

“Maybe I’ll sleep a little better than I thought I would this weekend!”