London Lions secure third consecutive Championship as Gladiators lock in second with huge home win

B. Braun Sheffield Hatters 45-92 London Lions

Starting Fives:

B. Braun Sheffield Hatters: Carla Drennan, Georgia Gayle, Emma Eichmeyer, Desiree Ramos, Madison Washington.

London Lions: Ivana Katanic, Katsiaryna Snytsina, Holly Winterburn, Savannah Wilkinson, Abby Meyers.

The London Lions won the Women’s British Basketball League Championship for the third year in a row with a 45-92 win away from home over B. Braun Sheffield Hatters taking their season record to 18-0.

First Half

Knowing a win would secure the Lions their three-peat, Stella Kaltsidou’s side came roaring out of the gates as they weathered the storm of a fast start from the hosts to lead the contest by 14 points at the end of the opening quarter.

Responding in front of a great crowd in the second quarter, the Hatters did cut the deficit to 10 points with an early run from Vanessa Ellis’ outfit, but the defending champions showed their mettle and extended their lead to 20 points by the end of the period.

Second Half

The Lions kept their foot on the gas in the third quarter, with a relentless showing from them on both ends of the floor seeing the lead ballooning to 39 points with 10 minutes to play.

The Great Britain duo of Temi Fagbenle and Holly Winterburn led the way for London throughout the contest, but this was a well-rounded performance from an elite team of players that were determined to secure the Championship in this contest.

At the end of the fourth, the Lions’ lead had grown even further and Coach Kaltsidou’s side had their three-peat, becoming the first side since the Sevenoaks Suns to win the Championship in three consecutive campaigns (Sevenoaks won in 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2020/21 with the 2019/20 season cancelled due to the pandemic).

Player of the Game

The Player of the Game was Temi Fágbénlé, who was a consistent force throughout the game with a double-double of 17 points, 12 rebounds to go along with five assists in a super performance from the Great Britain captain.

Team Player Points Rebounds Assists
Sheffield Hatters Madison Washington 10 8 1
Sheffield Hatters Melita Emanuel-Carr 12 4 1
London Lions Temi Fágbénlé 17 12 5
London Lions Holly Winterburn 17 4 1

Caledonia Gladiators 87-67 Leicester Riders

Starting Fives:

Caledonia Gladiators: Samantha Roscoe, Hannah Robb, Ariadna Pujol, Laken James, Kirsty Brown.

Leicester Riders: Taylor O’Brien, Katie Januszewska, Marissa Hamilton, Samantha Ashby, McKenzie Johnston.

Needing a win to even have a chance of staying in the race for the Championship, the Gladiators did everything they could in securing a convincing victory against their rivals the Leicester Riders, but it was to no avail in the Championsihp race as London took the title.

First Half

An end-to-end first period saw very little separating the two teams throughout, as this contest started out as the previous week’s iteration ended with both of these sides very evenly matched.

A Hannah Robb buzzer-beater for the Gladiators gave Chantelle Handy’s side a three-point lead going to the second period, but more importantly it appeared to swing the momentum in the home side’s favour as Caledonia capitalised and took a 16-point advantage into the half.

Second Half

The Riders came out fighting in the second half as Sam Ashby and Taylor O’Brien contributed points in volume to try and cut down the deficit for Ben Stanley’s side, and they did cut the deficit every so slightly to 14 points going into the final period.

The Gladiators stood firm, however, and extended their lead in the final period to 20 to secure a win that guarantees them second place in the standings and a Playoff Quarter-Final bout against the Durham Palatinates.

Player of the Game

Samantha Roscoe took home Player of the Game honours with an impressive tally of 20 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Team Player Points Rebounds Assists
Caledonia Gladiators Samantha Roscoe 20 6 4
Caledonia Gladiators Hannah Robb 22 0 2
Leicester Riders Samantha Ashby 19 5 3
Leicester Riders Taylor O’brien 16 6 2

With the new season here, you can still get your British Basketball fix by following the League on social media or heading to our YouTube channel to relive all of the best moments from the current season.