Newcastle Eagles narrowly failed to add to their twenty-eight domestic national basketball titles down in Birmingham on Sunday against London Lions in the SLB Trophy Final. Despite a superb fightback in the second half Lions just edged home by 74-68.
Head Coach Marc Steutel was naturally disappointed at the final buzzer as gathered his thoughts about the game and the output following a debrief with his players who gave everything on the day but were just unable to get the result everyone connected with Newcastle craved.
“The whole group is disappointed and hurting and not being able to finish the job. Basketball is an amazing sport. The margins of error and the margins of victory are so fine. We had three or four moments when we had great offence, great looks where it looks like the ball is going in.”
“It touches every part of the ring and pops out and on the flipside of that there were three or four shots from London that touched every part of the ring and even the backboard and dropped in. Sometimes that is a part of it.”
London were massive favourites making Newcastle massive underdogs. Especially as the Lions had already beaten the Eagles on four other occasions this season. At half time with Steutel’s side down 45-28 it looked like the game was all over bar the shouting.
But the Eagles picked themselves up in that second twenty minutes and did not just shout but roared louder than the Lions who were rocked by the Eagles efforts to take what would have been a massive upset. Steutel was proud of his players and how they fought back.
“The second half in particular we played really well and played fearless on both sides of the ball. We didn’t give up an offensive rebound in the second half. We defended the right way and were able to put pressure on.”
Point guard Terrell Burden was inspirational for Eagles especially in that second half driving his side on and almost bringing them all the way back with his 20-points. The game’s leading scorer. A nod to Cole Long also with 12 points and 9 rebounds who led Newcastle’s defensive stand.
Mitch Clarke hit three triples on his way to 11-points and the others chipped in to almost stun the Lions who really wobbled especially down the stretch. But Steutel also had a special word for the Eagles ‘sixth player,’ their fanatical fanbase.
“Terrell Burden was outstanding with his will to win and desire. All of that is really disappointing when we were desperate to win the Trophy for our fans and for our club. The main thing I want to talk to is the level of support we had in the arena on Sunday.”
“Of all the four teams that were there, there were more Eagles fans than anyone. The noise, the atmosphere, the level of love, support. Honestly just seeing the sea of Eagles fans was just incredible.”
“It’s a massive, massive thank you to them for supporting us the way that they do, staying with us the way that they do.”
Eagles did win the battle off the court of that there is little doubt and their fans showed their appreciation for the favourites effort that ultimately came up short. There is no doubting that it was part of the catalyst of the second half comeback.
Steutel know how important moments and games like this are and how much can be learned from them and taken from them as he concluded.
“Hopefully we’re able to use the experience for the remainder of the season and see what we can do from here.”
Eagles are next in action on Friday night in the Vertu Arena when they play their last ENBL qualifying group game against BK Olomoucko of the Czech Republic. Another massive game as Newcastle still have a chance to qualify for the play-off stages.
Tickets for Friday’s ENBL game are available on the box office.
