BA London Leopards- 93, Medway Park Crusaders- 75

(April 15)

Report by Nick Moore

Despite Kalil Irving’s game-high 26 points, the Medway Park Crusaders failed to overcome the BA London Leopards and advance through to the semi-finals of the EBL Division One Playoffs.

The youngsters’ impressive points haul was Medway’s highlight when the two sides clashed in their crucial playoff match at Basildon Sporting Village, on April 15.

But the Leopards, who were the number one seeded team, winning their last 17 league games in a row, proved just too strong the Kent-based team, who have surprised everyone and even themselves this year.

Crusaders coach, James Vear, was disappointed that they couldn’t advance any further, but was incredibly proud of his teams’ efforts throughout their long campaign.

He said: “Unfortunately we didn’t play well enough today to pull off the upset. You need to play your best and we didn’t do that today.

“The players still gave there all and I’m proud of them for the season they have had and the way they have adapted to the level of play in our first season in Division One.”

The game on Sunday started in quick fashion. The League’s top scorer, Vernon Teel fired the Leopards into a quick 6-0 lead and they went on to take the first 10 minutes, 30-21 – Teel went on to hit a triple-double of 16 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists to steal the show.

His side increased their lead in the second, to 53-38, as they London side dominated the boards and Medway failed to punish them from the free throw line.

Despite the Crusaders battling hard to close the gap in third quarter, the Leopards took it 30-13 to put the tie beyond reach. Their lead went out to 83-52 and all hope of a Medway comeback looked impossible.

But, as they have so often done this year, Vear’s side battled to the end and showed how strong a unit they can be when they get their flow going.

The Kent side took the final 10 minutes 24-10, to close the final gap to 18 points, valiantly losing 93-75.

Shooting guard, Luke Baker, hit 13, and point guard, Steve Vear,  hit 10.

Crusaders Chairman, Jesse Sazant, who has been the driving force behind the side for the past few seasons was incredibly proud of his side’s efforts and noted that his Coach deserved special recognition.

He said: “Credit needs to be given to James Vear for the fantastic job he has done establishing us in Division One. 

“With the huge turnover of players through the season he has done a great job in getting us to the play-offs and a 500 record in our inaugural EBL1 season.”

And so, the road this season ends here for the Medway boys.

It’s been a superb year for the Kent side but here’s hoping they can make it even further next time out.

Crusaders on 3…..!!

Medway Park Crusaders- 112, Tees Valley Mohawks- 60

(April 07)

Report by Nick Moore

Disraeli Lufadeju top scored for the Medway Park Crusaders on a night which saw them clinch their place in the EBL Division One Playoffs.

‘Dizzy’ as he is known, collected 20 points and 4 assists as his Medway side romped to their highest point’s victory of the season, eclipsing the Tees Valley Mohawks 112-60, on Saturday night at Medway Park Leisure Centre.

The vital win for James Vear’s side see them secure the 8^th seed spot in the playoffs, and set themselves up with a clash against league toppers, the BA London Leopards.

Vear, who became only the second Crusaders coach in history to register 40 career wins, was ecstatic with the result.

He said: “It was such a great team effort today! To have eight out of nine guys get double figures just shows you how unselfish we were.

“I am really happy for the players who have had a lot of ups and downs this season. They have worked so hard to get us to this point and all the credit should go to them.”

Before the match tipped off though, the Crusaders qualification hopes were still partly out of their hands.

They had to hope that Leeds Carnegie, who had a game in hand, would lose to either the Leicester Warriors or the Reading Rockets in a weekend of double fixtures otherwise it would go down to points difference, and then head-to-heads.

Luckily for Vear’s side though, Leeds lost 97-85 on the road to the Warriors, guaranteeing the Crusaders a playoff place.

Medway, who made sure that they kept up their side of the bargain, dominated the Mohawks from start to finish. They led 56-24 at half time and streaked to their highest point’s total of the year.

Top-scorer, Lufadeju, was closely followed on the night by Adrian Fenyn (18), Captain, James Harris (14) and Luke Baker (13).

Steve Vear picked up nine more assists, making him the Crusaders career leader in assists with 210 – breaking Damian Lyons’ record.

Medway take on the BA London Leopards on April 15 in their crucial playoff match at 4:00pm, at Basildon Sporting Village. 

Last time out, the Leopards clinched a 78-61 win, but back in December, Medway downed them 93-83, tying the series at 1 apiece.

Coach Vear knows that in the one-off game anything can happen: “The pressure will be off us being the 8th seed but we will go into the game knowing we have a chance if we play our best basketball.”

One thing’s for sure, the clash is going to be an epic battle next Sunday, with the winner progressing to the playoff final fours in Manchester.