Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles playcaller Marc Steutel has hailed his sides grit and determination as they claimed their fifth successive win after they defeated Caledonia Gladiators 82-73.

Following a mixed start to the season, the Eagles recent form has seen them soaring up the British Basketball League table, with their impressive win over the Gladiators coming from behind enemy lines.

Guard Jordan Johnson top scored for the Eagles on Saturday night with 24 points, just a day after he dropped the same number on the Plymouth City Patriots at the Vertu Motors Arena.

And following the win up in Scotland over Caledonia, Steutel has revealed he was delighted by the performance, and the Eagles recent impressive form in the Championship.

“I was proud of the whole group,” Steutel said.

“We were exceptionally committed and played team basketball in a high intensity and hostile environment.

“No matter what was happening in the flow of the game we kept trying to play our way and came out with some really tough and gritty plays.

“It takes time with a new group. We are not where we want to be and we will keep building on this everyday till the end of the season.

“This team works really purposefully every day and I am proud of our progress. We have to look at the next challenge ahead of us and ensure we prepare as best as we can.”

Next up for the Eagles is a trip down to the capital to take on the London Lions, just over a month since they last faced off at the Copper Box Arena.

Steutel’s men fell in over-time 109-104 to the Championship leaders back in October in what was a nail-biting contest.

And ahead of the clash against the league leaders, Steutel and his squad are upbeat about the challenge in front of them, with the Eagles head coach also taking stock of how the season has unfolded so far.

“Upbeat and rightly so after some physical challenges so far,” said Steutel when asked about the mood within the Eagles camp. “We want to continue to build upon this heading into another double header away week against two tough teams in form.”

He added: “It’s a really competitive season in the British Basketball League and the European North Basketball League with quality across every team.

“It is positively challenging and tests every part of you as a team. We are trying to be a complete team and I’m trying to be an expert on my team. It’s exciting to see where we can get too with this process.”