Bradford Dragons 69 Hemel Storm 80
Hemel Storm have made it through to the National Trophy semi-finals thanks to a gutsy fight-back at Bradford Dragons on Sunday.
The Trophy is open only to teams in England Basketball’s top flight Division One and the newly-promoted Storm have upset the form book making it to the last-four where they will host Essex Leopards.
Dragons looked to be in control of the game after a 25-15 first quarter and they still led by seven points at half-time.
But Storm took control of the game at the defensive end and held Dragons to 25 points in the second half – including just nine in the final quarter.
Bradford included former Storm player Bobby Edmunds in their line-up, but the American guard was restricted to nine points by Storm’s current lead guard Bode Adeluola.
GB U20 international Louis Sayers top-scored for Hemel with 26 points and Dru Spinks supported him with 17.
Hemel coach Mark Lloyd said: “I thought our guys showed a great deal of character and mental toughness when we were down double digits to fight back and get the win.
“To now have the chance of reaching a national final in our first year in Division One, with an all-English team, is I think recognition of everyone’s effort at the club.”