Newcastle Eagles Triumph with Eighth SLB Trophy

Newcastle Eagles showcased their dominance in British basketball by clinching the Super League Basketball Trophy for the eighth time, defeating the Bristol Flyers with a solid score of 97-78 at Birmingham's Utilita Arena. This victory not only adds another trophy to the Eagles' illustrious collection but also symbolizes a triumphant return for head coach Marc Steutel, who has been steering the team since 2022 after a previous stint with them.

The Eagles, renowned as Britain’s most successful men’s franchise, celebrated their 28th piece of silverware in club history and basked in the glory of their first major final win since 2021. Leading the charge for Newcastle was Seneca Knight, who scored 22 points, while Mike Okauru earned the MVP title, contributing 19 points, three rebounds, and six assists to the convincing victory.

Despite being the 20th anniversary of the Bristol Flyers' formation, the team remains on the search for their first major final win, having faced defeat in past finals, including the BBL Cup in 2020. The Flyers had previously edged Newcastle in their league matchup just two weeks prior with a close 98-94 win but found themselves outplayed in the final.

From the outset, Newcastle blinked with vigor, establishing a 31-19 lead after the first quarter, largely fueled by Okauru’s outstanding performance, where he scored 17 points in that span. By half-time, the Eagles had extended their lead to 52-31, asserting their control throughout the game. Even though the Flyers outscored Newcastle in the final quarter by four points, any potential comeback was thwarted too late in the game.

Coach Steutel, in an elated address to DAZN Sports, remarked, “From top to bottom, the fans, the players, the city, the organisation, amazing, this means everything for our organisation. I'm elated.” Reflecting on the loss, Flyers guard Evan Walshe expressed disappointment on BBC Radio Bristol, stating, “We really wanted to do what was right for the city and bring a championship back, and we fell short, which really hurts. We have to find a way to pick ourselves up; we have a long season ahead and still have chances of more silverware.”

As the basketball season unfolds, both teams will look to capitalize on their experiences in pursuit of further success.