LIVE British Basketball League Playoff FINAL 🏆🏀 London Lions vs Cheshire Phoenix

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The 2024 British Basketball League season concludes with the Playoff Final between Cheshire Phoenix and defending champions London Lions!

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e e e I unbeatable couple minutes go to score every time they WI a clash the wind King through the door I am unbeatable CH is running out stop and we running out the clock a never stop I am unbeatable I am unbeatable I am unbeatable yeah I am unbeatable I am unbeatable yeah I am unbeatable I am beatable yeah I am unbeatable I unbeatable yeah CL watch learn how many years been working for my SE better jum cuz I’m flying over matter fact stay on your feet never been put on a poster this right here for the culture this right here for the cuz I [Music] aable is reachable high achievable can’t stop me I’m unbeatable I’m unbeatable I’m beatable thank you to the incredible lady I and Omar for that unbeatable performance the season is climaxing perfectly as the two principal teams in the league are set to do battle once again on the biggest stage of all the London lions against the cheser Phoenix the stars of aligned they are the best of enemies we not not on dos we TP dos man last time we played London in the final we won um I think they probably would have been disappointed to play anybody else after what we did in the trophy final undefeated we know exactly what this game means to all of us what makes us top dogs is our our mentality a lot of guys come from situations where we’ve been uh undervalued or um overlooked and stuff like that us believing that we’re top dogs and that we could compete with anyone it’s just what gives us the belief and confidence to go out and compete with anybody my message to London is uh yeah just be ready we’ll be there trophy final uh yeah and then get won nah it is what it is it’s over we’re looking forward to tomorrow you can’t change the pass so we learned from that that lost so I expect different game and hope uh to win this time I remember feeling in the fourth quarter like I never wanted this to ever happen again we haven’t lost since then and I think we’ve been on a mission since then and we just got to go out and do what we do and uh you know make a statement we’re ready we know you guys are so we’ll see who’s the best best team on Sunday I am I don’t welcome to the iconic O2 in London duckland for this hugely anticipated Clash can the London Lions who have been imperious All Season Roar back after that chase in and loss in the trophy final at the hands of today’s opposition the Lions became just the second team ever to win 33 games in a season and are currently on a 21 game winning streak the Lions may have swept the Phoenix 4 nil in in the league but that means nothing after defeats in the trophy and in Europe head coach pet boosic knows that without a win today this season will have been a failure the cheser Phoenix see themselves as the top dogs and not The Underdogs today and so they might they didn’t just beat the lions in the trophy final they destroyed them the Phoenix know how to get it done when it matters and they’re the only team with a perfect 10 and0 record of course A Trophy and the playoffs they are backed by the faithful Knicks nation and coached by Ben Thomas a man who has cheser in his blood can the Phoenix once again rise to the occasion always rising to the occasion our former London Lion in GB International obso and five times playoff Champion winning coach Rob panro welcome guys this is going to be special it’s going to be something un coach Rob it’s somewhere where you’ve been before has special as this oh as special as it gets and I think anyone at the beginning of the Season player coach fan wants to be here I’m jealous that I’m over here love being with you guys but it’s nothing like being out on the floor I know you’re jealous and we’re going to have to kind of hold you back from getting on that court but welcome and thanks for joining us today and Obie London Lions they have been dominant this season but they don’t really have that much to show for it to today they have to be hon it this is a big time game for the London lons obviously there’s been a lot of talk about these guys at the beginning of the Season how many Big Time signings they had um and they have played incredible but at the end of the day they’ve been brought here to win Sil with and the last time these guys met up in a trophy game they fell short they fell short absolutely and that’s that’s they have to be on it they have to make sure that they know this chest team are a very serious team and what’s it going to take coach Rob I mean you’ve been here eight times you’ve won it five times what does it take oh for Chester today it’s going to take a same type of performance they had last time the fast break points for me getting out in the open floor look at jez man thank you for that uh but yeah when you’re here you have to do what you do best and I think that’s important to come in here don’t mix it up too much and maybe and maybe you could be celebrating at the end of the day no it’s amazing but then we need to look at the team that they fielded today L I know that you’ve got the starting five for for London o yeah London Lions you know I expect to see Tariq Phillips out there absolutely stud point guard he’s come back off an injury um at the oh no Tariq he’s not starting today sorry Taylor um veteran point guard presence you got Gabe at the five Conor Morgan at the four able to shoot the ball stretch the floor MV in Matt Morgan and then last year’s MVP in samam and Rob you got the starting fight for chesher yeah well chesher this is a team that’ll feel confident today they got it done last time on the big day and you look it here the starting lineup interesting Chara and white in the starting lineup last time it was just white which caused him a lot of problems Jack the three-point shooter Rau the one that handles it and Ro nobody could guard him all year yeah this is going to be really something and calling this playoff final for you today is Todd Harrison former London lion and GB Olympian a St andz I know that you’re feeling this but who will be feeling the most pressure today oh pressure uh Janette I think both teams right it’s a final so everyone wants to perform everyone wants to win I think London Lions will particularly feel the pressure exactly what Obie said they’re brought here they were made for Europe so they definitely will feel the pressure but also cheser Phoenix I think will also make this PR feel pressure because they’ve done it and they want to do it again but you know what they say pressure makes diamonds baby just talk about the pressure London has already Come Away with the regular season title so they got one piece of the trophy the trophy Championship goes the way of Che this is kind of the rubber match but remember London beat them four times this year can they make it a fifth well I just love it this is exactly what we want all the juices and spices and ready for the final so we’ll find out fans are pouring to the O2 right now let’s send it back to Janette uh thank you to I know you’re both looking forward to it London’s command and strangle hold on the league teed them up perfectly for a faultless run in the playoffs and this is their Journey to the [Music] final Morgan fires up cash money coming we started off on a double digit win streak this is what London Lions do I think we found out very quickly that we had even more Talent than we knew a three on the shot off buzzer what an incredible shot since day one every day was full of competitiveness and willingness to improve December November January when we were playing games team like every other day it was challenging play Friday or play in The Copper box on a Wednesday and then play Newcastle the next day and I think they beat us by 30 25 that was motivation for me to not let that ever happen again Matt Morgan fires up the three play quarterfinals we played sui that first 20 minutes was probably the most dominant I’ve seen us all season played tremendous defense in the first game we finished that quarterfinal series prepared for the next round as a team I think that’s probably the best defensive performance that we’ve had I knew it was going to be a battle for 40 minutes every game uh you can’t let up with them because they take advantage of every mistakes they are very talented team they came with a lot of self-confidence when you lose in a finals of course it hurts I remember feeling in the fourth quarter like I never wanted this to ever happened again it was one of the toughest losses I’ve had as a pro you know you have that pressure being the top dog you can’t change the pass so we let one slip but we finished number one for a reason we just got to go out there and do what we [Applause] do well the Lions coasted through the playoffs without missing a beat with wins over s and Newcastle and now for another impeccable performance as we hand you to our Flawless floor General he’s always walking with the Lions it’s Drew lasar [Music] the Lions overwhelm you with size and they got two of them right here Gabe ol he does it a little bit differently he does it with patient feet Elite passing and high Q over here next door he comes in Off the Bench Josh sha yes that’s a legit 7 foot and he does it with all athleticism playing Above the Rim and he’ll be sending a few shots in the stands but the last guy right here K man where is he at where is he at right on the rim you got to run we got to be quick right here meet the MVP right here Matt Morgan and he has been unguardable because you have to give him a step because he has Elite Speed but then also he can burn you from the three because he has the best three-point shot and with all the acad the only thing he will be thinking about is those four points in that trophy loss I mean when we think about Matt Morgan Obie we look at this guy his speed alongside his three-point shooting it makes him such a through it and he loves playing against ches too look he had a season high of 33 points against the Phoenix I feel like you forgot to mention this guy’s the MVP let’s just let’s just let that be that detail this guy is the MVP and he’s had an absolutely terrific season you know he has um welcomed himself to the British basketball league with a bang absolute scorer he gets into the lane he makes tough finishes um I think one of the things he actually does best is get into the line and getting fouled here again that allows him to then find open Rhythm shots on the outside guys are trying to take away his athleticism they’re trying to take away his ability to get down to the basket to get fouled um and that opens up so much for yeah no question Morgan is a guy that everybody knew had the talent and he came and he delivered and you see that speed in the open floor because he shoots it from so deep you have to get up on him and when you’re up on him he can go by and he does things like get to the rim what a score how critical is that speed going to be for someone for the team like London Lies when someone like Matt Morgan to get into the paint like that yeah huge I mean he only had four points last time in the trophy final so he’s going to want to prove a point today he’s vital to their success and Coach rob you know most teams would love one big but with London they got two you know Josh shma gab sheni they’re going to be key today well yeah no doubt about it these two guys are great players and it’s not just about having two great centers it’s having two centers that do different things Gabe olini he’s more of a guy around the rim screening making the right plays all the time let’s watch here with Gabe he just finds pocket really soft touch five six feet from the basket we’ve seen that push shot all year he you know just knows where to be this’s a great passing team so when you have a great passing team who uses the pick and roll here to switch and he buries him underneath he’s too strong for a little guy to guard he is a guy that is so dangerous and he does it a different way here’s Sharma rejection so you want to speed up the game bring Sharma in here we go Coast to Coast off the block Sharma a lot quicker maybe a different type of player we talked about the blocks running the floor and he finishes around the basket as good as anybody in the leag and that’s it Obie they’ve got options London Lions have got options today and they’re going to want to avenge that trophy final as well they are they are you know that trophy loss you can tell the guys it’s definitely been on their mind um I think it sent a jolt up them and told them it’s like look guys you guys are better on paper you have to show up and you have to actually win you know these two bigs two different looks I mean they have talent all over the floor um Tariq Philip doesn’t start today but he’s going to have a specific role right coach what do you think that might be well I played against Tariq Phillip in the final last year and I thought he was a Difference Maker and it’s not just about points or steals or what he does defensively he gets into you you really want him to be able to defend laquincy Rau at times today to make it tough for him Philip is a guy that’s a leader you could tell that on the floor and with him in the lineup they are as good as anyone with their perimeter defense they want him harassing using his physical and being tough all night yeah yeah no Tariq he’s one of my old teammates played with him on the the GB team you know I played with him last year he had a little bit of an injury but everything you said coach literally hit the nail on the head he’s a dog he’s a guy you call a dog he sets the tone um from the energy standpoint you see him getting on the floor he’s gritty he doesn’t mind he don’t want to shake the uh opponent’s hand he don’t want to be friends with the opponent and you love it that’s what you want in these big time game but you can see he can get he can get a bit furry we’ll come on to that in a moment hopefully less of that today but we can can hear from coach fich now he’s been speaking to Drew coach this is what we all been waiting for is this an opportunity of redemption for your team uh I don’t want to call like that um you know this is very competitive hardworking team and um you know the part of our job is to be competitive so we’re going to enjoy that tonight what makes the Chester offense so difficult to guard I mean they are a talented team uh their transition is amazing they have one-on-one skill players um they show that they play together well as a group they’re well coached so uh you know very very good team in the pick and roll has been difficult for most teams how do you want to defend that tonight I mean the definitely unusual thing is they have one of the better Shooters in a team are in a position five and four so uh we’ll have we have some things that we going to try tonight keeping it close to your chest thanks for your time coach always thank you thanks coach so that’s the London Lowdown after the break Todd and AIA we’ll be taking you through all of the player introductions and we’ll be checking in with the trophy Champions cheshier and breaking down their Phoenix [Music] [Applause] [Music] nights e e e [Music] [Applause] these are the chesher Phoenix but are they truly the top dogs of the league flames on Pho never Journey no to and they steal it this is Phoenix baset baby I’m here for the energy I love it Zer te it’s one thing to say you’re the top dogs now ches needs to come out and prove it yes they do and they’ve said It All season and you know I don’t know I’ve had this conversation with you so much are you the underdog if you’ve already beaten London lions in a trophy I don’t know we will see if they can get it done Ben Thomas the coach of the year his team’s feeling very confident they have the weapons to get it done the big question is can they come into London the Lions backyard here at the O2 and get it done in 40 minutes well I did see they came yesterday and they were up and down on the T River on a on a boat so they got the London luxury experience but now it’s time to come to the floor and show what they’ve got their fans are here it’s a fantastic atmosphere and I’m ready for a final well they turned out in Birmingham for the trophy final and delivered it and can they do it again here it’s one thing that London took care of business in all four games in the regular season it’s another thing because the crowd the size the magnitude of this is a different level I definitely thinking and we saw even in women’s game just the nerves you know being able to just relax into the game Let The Game come to you um and that’s something that you have to deal with in the first couple of minutes how important is it for chesher to get off to a good start or can London spot them a five or an eight and still get it done yeah I think uh chess is never going to give up I think they’re you know the top dog they’ve got this angry kind of that’s that guy there Laino they’ve got this really grind gritty and that dog personality where I don’t think London Lions has it the only I think a person has it is kiq Philip but he’s on the bench um but yes I think a good start from chesu will definitely help their confidence let’s not forget the London lions at 33 and3 in the league have been fantastic but the big question is can they get it done in the bright lights of the O2 here in London it’s Championship Sunday St for the London Lions we on fire thison [Applause] why we love it oh my goodness s put the cherry on top the last [Applause] stagger so it all comes down to this the number one versus the number two the presid versus possibly the future who has what it takes to lift the trophy and claim the title in 2024 today wearing number two David NOA wow London Lions starting to come out David NOA somebody there right there is going to be a big X Factor the guys spoke about at the top of the show about the post presence if London Lions I think can really do damage it’s downlo to establish Gabi andosh sh who are just an absolute highlight re that will then open it up for the guards like Sam DEA let’s put some respect on Sam dea’s name now he was the MVP of last year’s season who’s been fighting injuries is’s going to be coming back I think it’ll be interesting to see how the depth of London plays out how Coach B uses that bench because let’s be honest they probably have the deepest bench of anyone in the league but does that bench stand or does he ride his normal Five Guys and say you guys bring it home well we’ve seen in the in the final excuse me in the semifinals um his bench play some some games had 72 points Off the Bench so their bench is just as strong and could potentially start this game so their bench is a key part of this of this London Lions team let’s not forget though cheser Phoenix is a bad match up for the Lions it all comes down to this who’s going to lift the trophy in 2024 for Phoenix on the lond [Applause] now British basketball fans ladies and gentlemen if you can please stand for the national anthem [Music] [Applause] [Music] glorious happy and glorious to the was SA [Music] [Applause] wow we are really hyped now ches we relatively unfancied at the beginning of the season but they have had a year that will live long in the memory and clearly just the one trophy it’s not [Music] enough beating Lester I think that was a game that not a lot of people in the league thought we were going to win that gave us confidence our identity was there clear to see for everybody that put a lot of people on notice cuz uh a lot of people rode us off the Manchester game after the TR final we were definitely on a high after winning but winning that next League game that kind of set the tone where it’s like all right we we did win this tropy final but we’re not here just to win that it level on points after four games between the two of us and for EJ to to knock down a huge turnaround uh three on the buzzer which you know gave us ultimately that second place Place Head to Head was huge goodness what an incredible shot there from EJ Stevens we got blown out by them in a preseason friendly so it was a little bit of a of Revenge big guys like Brad don’t want to be on the perimeter with Ethan or Skyler and I think we were really able to impose our style of play on them we we rode on their backs and and obviously Aaron had a big game as well to close out this guy is Unstoppable we’ve kind of had their number a little bit off season but there’s no secret that they’ve been coming into form we hadn’t lost at the kind of medical Arena they’re trying to say it’s a fortress but for us it’s a nice place to play we knew that our style would cause them problems and ultimately it did I think if we won the this playoff final we definitely you know we’re the best team in the league it would be a great feeling for our fans you know a great thing to do for us just to Cherry On Top they’ve obviously got a sour taste in their mouth from last time and we want to prove that it wasn’t a fluke so it’s going to be a battle wow those statement wins against Bristol and Sheffield at such a critical time in the season really emphasizing just how the Phoenix rise to the occasion the sharp end of the season needs Big Time Players to giving us our Nick fixes our own boxer tricks it’s Mr Big Time Dre laska well it’s levels to this and Aaron R he’s been big time all season because he’s the puzzle that no one can solve because what do you do you put a guy like me on you see the shoulders the feet the hips the waist hella strong or if you put a big on him he can take them out to the perimeter and he has Elite ballerina feet but he doesn’t have to do it alone because he got the top dog right here I’m talking about laquincy Rau and he’s one of them stray dogs one of them dogs you don’t want to mess with and I’m telling you right here he plays with a chip on his shoulder he Don’t Take No Mess from nobody and guess what he’s upset about the awards so that’s some extra fuel to the fire and also also Tariq Phillips get ready I mean coach Rob laquin vau when the lights are bright that’s when he shines right I mean his performance in the trophy got him the MVP this is a guy who likes the bright the bright lights but then it’s the pick and roll with Skyla white that you want to show us how he’s going to do that yeah the 25 points in that trophy final a lot of it off the pick and roll it’s very difficult to defend when you have the one and the five five with white coming over and that’s going to be a challenge for the Lions today let’s see if they can Sal it look at him here stop now Roo no one there olini so worried about white who’s out behind the three-point line he doesn’t even come over and that’s why Rau who is eight of 11 from two-point range play it gets downhill and he’s as good as any guard in the league at getting downhill and again this was a common theme in this game again here’s the screen and row but this time Taylor goes under Skyler white he goes under the screen and now Roo says okay I’ll pop It Wide Open from three the bank is open thank you again you know in the second half the screen is coming here from White olini is in the paint right around the F line extended now here comes Rau but I’m so worried about white I just leave him and Rog gets all the way to the basket this is the type of play that terrifies coaches it terrified me here’s Sharman now he doesn’t fully commit cuz he stays attached to white and boom Rau with the strength and the Finish see here again this time look at look at all his e he’s worried I don’t know what to do and R says I do I’ll get to the basket and draw it a foul so that’s going to be interesting to see today when they play Skyler white at the five with your off the floor how the Lions defend that no it’s amazing Aaron R as well we got to look at him o he’s not your typical ball this is a guy he’s an Ivy League neuroscientist but also a nightmare to defend because of he’s high at basketball I you I mean his IQ is through the roof he is what you call a professional tweener and a tweener means an in between player someone who is in between positions you don’t know what position he plays he could be a point guard like you see here coming off a ball screen or he could be a big man he could get the rebounds and push it in transition the guy his skill set is just so um you know he has such a deep bag of tricks uh it’s just a mismatch nightmare as you see here he gets the mismatch with Gabe uh and he doesn’t he doesn’t Fair taking the big man out there we have got something really special on the line here today but let’s hear from the Phoenix play caller Ben Thomas he’s been speaking to Drew Lasco Co terrific season this team has had such a huge chip on his shoulder where does that come from from you mainly uh you know I think a lot of people come to us out before the start of the season um now all jokes aside I think you know we we’ve always been underdogs you know we we know what the resources we have compared to other teams in the in the league and you know I think every year we we’re outperforming it and um it’s a culture it’s the way we want to play and and you know it’s it’s given us results so we want to carry on and how will the top dogs deal with London’s size I mean how will they deal with our spacing how will they deal with our shooting you know it’s it’s a it’s a game of matchups we’ve beat them they’ve beat us you know we’ve beat other teams that are really big and it’s it is what it is we just got to make sure that we play our style of play to our identity if we do that for 40 minutes they’ve got to try and compete with us finally you told us to be brave what will you be telling your team as they walked on the court enjoy it you know we’ve had a great season it’s the last 40 minutes we’re going to play together um just go out there and be us thanks for your time coach I appreciate you the scene is set for something spectacular and after the break we’ll find out who the 2024 playoff Champions will be in the company of Todd Harris and AIA Stewart we not no underdogs we top dogs man undated we’re here to win the championship and we’re here to dominate go I amable okay I amable okay I amable okay I amable pick up the PA pick up the pick up [Music] [Applause] the e and here we go forget the Sunday Rose the main course is being served up from the O2 will it be London or will it be chesher we are underway well cheser win the jump ball and we’ll have the first stab at the offense chesher Phoenix the number two team in the British basketball league the London Lions number one the Quincy Rau feeling it from Deep range and unfortunately gravity was not feeling as just knocked out of bounds London Lions will be in their home block and why the chesher travels in their white uniforms my heart’s racing a little bit Tod yeah how about that a little bit M real juicy final coming up I’ve been waiting Matt Morgan on the give and go and Gable loses the handle Macio Jack he’ll try a three off the mark But Aaron R IQ and all on the putb for the first bucket of the championship and nobody finds him puts a body on him an easy uh rebound for him and Conor Morgan was cutting into the basket and unfortunately Ethan shua was there a little late and got the grab our officials Josh Bo Gavin Williams and Ian McDonald will be calling the action that’s quite an honor to get that the final game of the year yeah congratulations to them you know you’ve got a they also got to be the top dogs uh to get this game so congratulations them and they’re the third team on the floor we’re the fourth team up here by the way me you one two punch it’s amazing to think back on September 14th of 2023 the Eagles and the Sharks faced off to kick things off and here we are in May at the O2 at the iconic 02 Lam bam thank you Sam Decker gets the first bucket for the Lions and he seriously looks at his bench and says come on boys but I think it’s 225 and 226 today game and that’s a lot of basketball the first Quick Step nice pass underneath and they’re going to get Jordan Taylor on the bump he was late on the rotation so Ethan shua will stroll to the line where he is 50% free throw shooter we’ll see if you up that in the playoffs all right Z if you are Ben Thomas the coach of the year in the British basketball league what do you need to see from your team early to give you confidence they’ll close the deal well I think I think uh just I think it’s going to be on the defensive end first of all I think they know how to score I think they have multiple weapons it’s how can you slow down the London Lions um I think also uh Shaga who’s on the line he did a play in that trophy win he was actually injured also no Sam DEA in that trophy uh final so two players that both teams need very well the captain JT Jordan Taylor takes it to the line the prde of the University of Wisconsin remember he was last year’s finals MVP and gets an early bucket so it’s JT on laquincy Rau and now the switch Macio Jack gives it right back to Rau has has problems handling it gives it over to Jack shot clock now at four Aaron Ry across the line has to put up a tough shot and gets it to fall but they’re going to St a travel before he got the shot off that pivot foot picked up as he as he leaned back why is he so hard to guard you know what um I think it’s here it is let’s have a look sorry it was that double step it’s his deceleration not his acceleration of going really fast it’s his able to slow down he loves the Euro Step which it’s really slowmo Euro Step is two steps but it steps out of the way of the defense he’s so good at that Conor Morgan for the Deep range three can’t get it the fall laquin looking to run gets it to Aaron Ry off to the wing and Up and Under acromatic unfinished and Aaron ry’s there he can’t get it to finish but a nice clean up by Ethan sh offensive rebounds are going to be huge if you can keep getting your team extra possessions that’s what Phoenix did just that ball taken away from gab aen as he had it above his head looking to make the pass Aaron rise shot doesn’t fall Scot white tries to keep it alive boys are fighting Here Comes Matt Morgan does he have the numbers he has the speed that’s where Matt Morgan has been Sensational why he is the MVP that acceleration into fifth sixth seventh gear is just Unstoppable you can’t stop that especially out in transition mat Morgan hits the nitrous and he is gone yes that’s what it is oh pass beautiful pass underneath from Aaron Ry and sha travel that is unable to handle the initial dish substi look at this nothing that Mao Jack can do but get out the way and yet again sub here Z Christen comes in League’s sixth Player of the Year out of Grambling 28 points the last time chesher and Phoenix got together they call him million dooll cam down in ches or should we say up we’re down south but I think he’s had a fantastic season he’s been so important for the Phoenix coming off the bench not dropping in um you know enthusiasm in energy in offense exactly what coach Ben Thomas needs speaking of Coach Thomas in his seventh year with chesher he decided you know what I’m not going to let London bring the ball up at their own casual Pace I’m going to appy a little pressure so he’s got a full court press lined up here as soon as the officials decide it’s time to play I’m talking about pressure I haven’t seen Ben Thomas in a nice little suit I see the assistant coaches in a gray suit but you come to London you got to swi by sa turn up the swag you got to go OBO you got to go sa and bring the a game you sure do need to go OB sto dashing but Ben Thomas said hey I’m taking my jacket off I’m in business so Josh B the crew chief for tonight with Gavin Williams and E McDonald he is checking it looks like they’re checking game and shot clock and game clock at 6:45 remember 10 minutes they play quarters here in the British basketball league each player allotted five personal fouls so they’re going to they’re going to take a Time the officials going to take a time and sort this out as they are trying to get this all figured out 6:45 officially right now on the clock at full 24 and there are the fans in Birmingham at the trophy Z they were dressed in Orange this time they brought the blue yeah and that F right there we you’ve seen her in tears when they W in in uh in Birmingham but you’re right that’s a huge for a franchise to travel down from cheshier El midport to come to London it it just means so much to them well speaking of traveling it is all about One game this game and the road to glory big to play what a finish [Music] [Applause] greatness means a lot that’s something as professional athletes were always chasing you know if I retired today I would be very proud of of the career that I had if any team could beat them in this final it definitely could be us it’s no secret that we don’t particularly like them and I’m sure they don’t particularly like us back in the trophy we gave them the confidence you know I would expect them to throw out their best shot two nobody step back oh like we play basketball to have fun and we play basketball to win oh that’s a beautiful Fast Break by the lions are you kidding me yeah Winning is Everything don’t get it twisted the fans continuing to make their way inside the 02 that’s a real sorry that’s a real interesting uh video we just seen there and Aaron Ry saying it’s no secret they don’t like us and we don’t like them and and this is what’s fantastic about sport is the Rivalry that there are teams that you just come across that you just like okay we want to give you one and we’re going to give you your best shot and and that’s what I love about sports and basketball in particular ball swings around the perimeter Sam Decker finds it he goes Bas kicks the back out Conor Morgan left open for JT JT fires up a three off the heel can’t get it to fall Macio Jack comes away with it and here come the Phoenix I think bosic miss or make I think he’s happy with that offense the ball moved five players touch the ball and just a Miss shot you look at coach bich in his first year with the London lions and he’s got a lot of toys in the toolbox that he can play with goes inside Skyler white nice feed nice finish and good look and that’s what actually coach Rob patro talked about the beginning of the the broadcast about that pick and row but now we see Skyla right rolling to the basket with uh Taylor on him with the mismatch variation there as Matt Morgan Rises up can’t get that one to fall all tied up at six here come the Phoenix and the drive to the Lane and the foul they’re going to get Gable Asen on the foul and a nice drive as cam Kristen comes in an instant burst of energy for the Phoenix well that’s why he’s Sixth Man of the Year and what I liked about that he got the rebound and he’s full steamed down the other end nobody picks him up until so gab aleni has to foul him so Kristen going to the line is a 67% free throw shooter keeping right around his average season average 11 points three rebounds dropped off just a little bit down to nine points for G three rebounds in the playoffs I don’t know if any fan base travels as well as the Chester Phoenix doesn’t matter where the game is they show well talking about the Rivalry they challenged London Lions where are your fans at and I can definitely hear some booze as cam misses his second free first to put him off so the Phoenix by one 530 almost halfway through this first quarter for the championship game inside Olen and that’s the second time the [Applause] [Music] delay they’re going to call block and Sam Decker stands above big 99 Skyler white lets him know wow Todd you can feel the intensity in this building between these two teams the look Downs the elbows the aggression incredible feeling in this final and quite low scoring really for both of these teams who can put up 90 plus points there’s the little chicken wing should we say and then the block uh in foul but yeah you can see it Kan and folks this is just the appetizer quarter number one we like to call it Sam Decker steps to the line he is the former MVP of the league in 2023 remember he was drafted number 18 in the 2018 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets bounced around the league a bit but he has found a home here in London yeah signed a threeyear deal and really has a fantastic wife as well Olivia Harland DEA and really found a home in London signing a threeyear deal look at this mismatch laquincy Rau being guarded by gab beleni laquincy drives high off the glass doesn’t get it to fall back come the Lions JT looking to run Decker on the wing he cuts inside Euro Step all day long and Sam Decker puts it in for another two oh that’s pretty and CH once again inside go Jordan Taylor called for the block things are heating up in the 02 with 434 to play It’s the London lions that defend Champions on top by [Music] [Applause] two e e e [Music] [Applause] and a Zena this is the definition of the Euro Step yes you go one way with one step and back the other way and finish and get again the bench up and really pushing and giving energy to the London Lions so cam Kristen will go to the line and he will shoot to again we mentioned 67% from the line and the London faith will let him hear about it here in the O2 [Applause] and the Phoenix let him hear the appreciation as he buries the first Ben Thomas the coach of the year in his seventh year with the Phoenix came on as an interim basis seven years ago and it was a good fit and I think they made the right decision yeah absolutely and I think he’s done a fantastic job with with this group of guys you want to ratchet up just a little bit more look who just checked in Tariq Phillip and he’s matched up nicely with laquincy Rau real close friends real close that no one ever well they’ve get the mismatch again look they switch and I was wondering how L lions are going to play today and they’re switching offensive power and they’re going to get to Ethan Chara as he was trying to box out number 22 defensive specialist Tariq Phillip coach Rob ponro talked about him being an xfactor in this game now Josh shs in for Gabon aeni which as we also talk about those two guards you and post sorry you think oh finally gabes out and then Josh Sharma comes in and in the regular season per 40 minutes those two average 43 points and 21 rebounds between those two post players and back to my comment earlier about coach bolich of the London lions having too many toys in the Box he br brings in David and wava NBA experience he brings in Josh Sharma seven-footer defensive player of the year and then he brings in Dante Grantham G League experience with the NBA yeah that’s massive and I talked about this bench that in the semis had 72 points off of the bench and this starting this four that have just come off the bench could really be a starting five no question about it Skyler white drags his man deep into three-point range and called glass someone let me know the bank is open on Sunday it sure is why not the step back and David WBA goes right back out of Josh shammer there to clean it up good job Josh shammer just keeps the ball high doesn’t let any defense come in there and steal it this is an interesting match up here away from the ball as Kristen drives the line on the defensive player of the year blocks deflects that shot in the way it doesn’t go in David and WBA and Aaron Ry keep an eye on that Sharma down the lane and he is undercut by laquin Roo and it’s probably a good thing that big Josh Sher didn’t get much more Airborne than that go you saw him take off let’s have a look at this just gets in the way so glad he landed safely look at this usually we call that Airline sh um but glad to see he’s up and he’s at the free throw line yeah that’s not flying first class that’s backing coach put down steps up knocks that one down what a weapon to have Off the Bench Josh Sharma not only is he tall smart great defender out of Stanford he comes in and gives you eight nine maybe 10 points a game six seven rebounds but such a block such a presence in the middle well you talk about block 47 blocks in regular season Defensive Player of the Year over he’s 7 foot you can’t teach that height and obviously with these arms oh and they’re going to get David and Wabba who thought he had picked it off and got a foul on him and WBA is called for it nonetheless cam Holden number 52 is checked in for the Phoenix let’s have a look [Music] here that was really tough to cool I couldn’t see it and he felt like it wasn’t a foul but the angle we got to see a second look at that at TQ Phillips that is white on rice defense there is no separation Trav a wonderful defense why do you want me part of number 22 because TQ Philip right now he has come off the bench and he is barking he is playing full dog D yeah and that’s the one who likes to bark you know he’s from Brooklyn New York and there he is with the defense giving them nothing and a shout to let them know beautiful defense yeah 1312 relatively lowc scoring game with 240 to play in the first quarter 10p point 10 minute quarters in the British basketball league Matt Morgan kicks it out and wava Tariq Phillip Dante Grandam well within his range buries it huge three especially that pass wasn’t perfect but he managed to get it into his pocket and he shot well this season from the three so long and lean Skyler [Applause] white Holden with the rebound he kicks it back out EJ Stevens who just checked into the game Off the Mark here comes Tariq philli looking to run Sharma finger roll beautiful long lean finish doesn’t always have to dunk it doesn’t have to Skyler White Off the Mark again David and WBA now Tariq thought about pulling the trigger instead he drives the inside line he’ll get fouled by cam Holden and he will go to the line the difference is is you know chesher lead the league in three points made this season just just over 11.4 but they’re missing and London lons are then coming back down and they’re hitting their threes of their own look at that London lions in the midst of a 70 run and we’ll see what happens here after this quick time out just a spot up drill look at that when you got a guy like Dante Grandam at 68 can come in and just bu that we talked about his G League experience this is a team that’s got so many different assets so the question is how does Ben Thomas slow them down because this is one of those junctures where you obviously don’t want to let London go on one of their patented runs well CH loved the three-point line right like I said they’re leading the league they live and they die by it but sometimes you might have to slow it down or get to the rim because what London lions are doing they’re getting that rebound and they’re Off to the Races you can feel the momentum time out was needed just to slow it down do you feel like this low scoring game and I want to say it’s dirty but it’s a rough and T does this favor cheser I think it does I really do think but we knew it was going to be gritty we knew it was going to be a grind I didn’t think it was going to be this low of scoring but I have spoken about um you know when it’s a new Arena a new surrounding um it’s pretty difficult cuz you can’t practice uh in this kind of Arena um so you do usually see a lower a lower shooting percentage but you’re right it’s 18 points to 12 in the first quarter I I wasn’t expecting that I think coach bosich is continuing to tweak the formula right now he comes back with Sam Decker so you’ve got Decker Dante Grantham Tariq Phillip David and wava and Josh Sharma yeah that is a bit of a a shocking a offensive package to put out there with David Anda and Sharma and Tariq philli is a absolute dog on the D so you got two Elite three Elite Defenders out there right now and then you have three guys that can fill it up on the offensive end and I’ve said it before it was their bench their bench is why L lions are so deadly the fact you talked about it the tools and the toolbox or you know the luxury that you’re able to go deep into your bench but also David and Waba uh has been wonderful in the playoff semifinals he’s averaging 18 points in just 18 minutes uh has just been incredible so a lot of weapons a lot of scoring so cheser need to just defensive once again off the hands of Tariq Phillip but he is excelling at the defense right now Sharma draws the attention he’ll back down go to the spin ball knocked away and he’ll stay with the Lions David ol has checked in the 674 out of warington UK British national he’s going to need to give Ben Thomas and the Phoenix some minutes he’s got five fouls to give he’ll match up with Josh Sharma 12 seconds on the shot clock 130 31 to play here in the first deont Grandam slowly works his way and no one commit to the defense and so he gets 8 foot floated to fall yeah good job by him just kind of probe took his time you’re right nobody came to him why not put up a little Flo in a finish moment so just like that the London Lions have built a 10-point lead all the momentum going the way of the lads from London Aaron Ry finds himself down underneath and it’s Ste out of bounds so it’ll be another empty possession and just like that Ben Thomas has seen enough this rotation not working for him he goes back to lincy and mac o Jack well I think when Aaron Ry is that low gets in deep into the paint into the guts right next to the basket you’ve got to shoot that but another turnover in an empty possession you said and terq Phillip has been about business also want to mention Stevens is checks in David and Wy goes into the lane he is shot is blocked away laquincy Rau tries to take it all the way in and loses the handle and David and WBA just steps right over the top of him as he lays on the deck coach Ben Thomas is upset having to go at the referees and that happened right at the end of the Chester Phoenix bench and they did not take kindly to it and he says this twice now watch this Wabba man down a just step over him seven turnovers early for the chesher Phoenix and a verbal warning to the chesher bench Decker from manaba Decker out High looking for the pick and roll with Sharma Sharma clears the lane keker goes to the left and gets it to fall lovely drive from Sans up and that’s also a problem we spoke about Skyla white and Rau in the pick and roll s DEA and sha in the pick and roll who do you stop you’re afraid laquincy inside oh thrown down David ol introducing himself to the fans of the O2 with an exclamation point he’s a returner to this cheser team from last year look at this the pick the roll on the dunk Perfection oh you had Decker and Sharma closing in on he says you know what no fear two hands all the way you have to dunk that one you’re getting blocked so we put the ball and the defense in the basket UL with the elevation at 67 goes right down 02 High Street to throw it in final 8 Seconds time deer time baby Decker loses his foot Sharma gets the shot off off the glass can’t get it to fall so the first period comes to a conclusion the defending Champion London lions taking on the trophy Champions chesher Phoenix it’s 10 points the way of the [Music] [Applause] Lions e e e e it is the final game of the season for 2024 as Peter bich in the London lions at 33 and3 in the regular season looks to beat the chesher Phoenix for the fifth time remember though chesher beat them in the trophy final and Tariq Phillips comes out on a drawn up play to end come out of that first quarter and he buries a three to push the lead to 13 and not only is he burying the three but but he’s locked in on the defensive end how about this three and then Showtime listen he’s playing at a different frequency is the defense he looks at the bench he says let’s go he took this personally remember we saw the slap in the face but he’s rocking the rim this time and a scream to the camera boy right into your living room on Sky Sports we knew it was going to get Fiery and testy and it has certainly lived up to that Macio Jack for three Jack the triple right on the button a good answer and they’ve been struggling from the three-point line and Mao Jack has been incredible this season especially from that corner three Sam Decker’s had a great game thus far and they’re going to call over him back he tried to cell that was deflected it was not it’ll be a turnover ball to the [Music] [Applause] Phoenix so Ben Thomas as we mentioned coach of the year and he’s in into a good one now knowing exactly what his team is capable of doing so obviously if you’re a chesher phoenix fan don’t give up the hope this team has got a lot left in the tank shot clock at three Sharma comes away with it Decker long Outlet pass David and Waba takes flight and the foul is going to be called as en Waba certainly looked like he had the elevation to throw that one down Z but he had two white jerseys converging on it yeah and they just say slap on the arm let’s have a look at this I don’t really see it any contact there in the air I’m still trying to wonder why he didn’t throw that down I think he was playing for the the out and W about 82% free throw shooter misses the first this is a guy that stepped up his game in the playoffs averaged 14 points for the Lions in the regular season and up at the 19 during the playoffs hits the second one remember he came along the first part of the year January 12th I believe was his first game and he’s been very impactful for this squad ever since so now it’s David and waba’s turn to guard laquincy Rau Aaron Ry hesitates gets it back to Rau he drives the line kicks it back over to UL Mao Jack doesn’t get it to fall Sam Decker comes away with it great defensive possession there by London Lions sand DEA making Aaron Ry life living hell can’t find an easy look at the B here’s the match up they want Dante grantom on laquincy Rau Decker for three fans were ready to erupt on that one Aaron ry’s got to get involved more involved in this Chester offense and they just keep sending bodies at him literally as Josh sharma’s going to be called for the foul forward against 20 sha well that time sha shows a big hedge even though you know Aon Ry isn’t scoring you know he can go off so quickly so they show a big head as they foul so now sh not not a real fall off in Talent you got a first team all leager replacing the defensive player of the year and why don’t we throw Conor Morgan into the mix as well yeah why not good minutes from De up Conor Morgan into the game nice drive and nice Puck as danty Grand says to cam Kristen not this time yeah times that perfectly in rhythm with those two steps and blocks that shot the defensive intensity I’ve never seen l lion so locked in like this oh beautiful shot Quincy Rau we also saw that you step off of Rau just needs a glimpse to let that shot off you’re always in a game when you’ve got laquincy Rau and Aaron Ry as Conor Morgan Canadian Sharpshooter yeah fantastic job that was all started by Tariq philli the drive into the middle and then the kick out Macio Jack goes Euro Conor Morgan takes it off the rim back come the [Applause] Lions so you’ve got Matt Morgan and Jordan Taylor and Sam Decker all sitting on the bench with Josh sharmas gab aseni he gets his shot off can’t get it to fall and this is a good opportunity now for chesher to make a run they need to exploit this mismatch here it is between Rau and O sheni Christen can’t get that one to drop David and Waba comes away the rebound and Waba head up looking to run he’ll go right down the middle and lay it in for two that’s where he’s dangerous and he makes his money Aaron R tries the same thing he is foul as he goes to line and for my money Z Ry and laquincy Rau have got to get that thing going as we check in down court side Drew Lasker always with the VIPs that’s right I’m here on Celebrity row right here we got the Shas from Tik Tock what type of content do you guys put out there we put out the greatest content to ever exist period pure entertainment pure comedy pure comedy well welcome to British basketball I see you guys getting into it so far describe the environment to our Watchers out there I can’t lie describe the environment I can’t lie it’s hella live out here got a good crowd out here London lions are going to smoke these bumped you already know the vus man who’s the best hoop out of the four I see you with the Durant jersey who’s the I’m yeah it’s me it’s me don’t let them LIE there’s a YouTube video out there already they all got smoked that’s just by the size of us I think you can already get idea who would beat can I just say person that YouTube video was scripted I’m actually the best but it didn’t want me to win hey well you can see guys they excited to be involved in British basketball we appreciate you guys showing love the shers guys goodness sakes put that on YouTube see jck making his own Tik Tock highlight for real thank you drew laska down on court side Dante Grandam barks right [Applause] back and that the dog also in in the uh you said you wanted to see some dogs today you got [Music] it Dante Granton has now been teed up a little too much join oh here’s the and could have been an an one in my opinion a slap from Gram’s hand but had to put him and the uh the ball in the basket right spot for cheser should I say for London on this situation is London’s leading on The Fast Break Points 11 to3 as Mao Jack will now go to line and take the technical foul shots and this is the kind of St that’s going to keep in the game yeah especially the free throw line is where their money that you’ve got to keep ticking over the clock hey some dollar bills there’s the million doll cam I was talking is that cam or may do a Jack in the middle of those dollars but yes going back to the ja um you’ve got to hit your free throws especially you know the clock is off you’re able to keep turning over the score big opportunity for the Phoenix to close this into single digits and they can hit the [Applause] three Aon R look like he got the nudge and the hip check and the officials caught it that time [Applause] as JT Jordan Taylor the captain down on the ground just taking a moment let’s have a look just gets in the way ah knee to knee knee to knee that’s exactly what that is I saw I’ve had that a couple of times that pain is is very difficult to to run off the impact at that speed at that you know that hit such a stabilizing Force when you have Jordan Taylor out on the well they’re going to bring Matt Morgan in now so they’re going to go uh Matt Morgan and Tariq philli both can handled the ball at the point guard I think they’ll keep Tariq Phillip at the one and has M Morgan at the wing so this is p bich version of the speed package with Tariq Phillip David and WBA and Matt Morgan all on at the same time Conor Morgan not too shabby they go inside the big man Gaben has not had great luck there inside 8 fet the Quincy Rau just cuts right through the defense and gets it the fall and gets right up in the grill of Tariq Phillip [Applause] [Music] [Applause] we saw that a little Quincy just letting him know here we go take at the screen to the layup good answer and there’s a topg right there Quincy Rau face on it the arena in London Top Dog indeed as they are now within n points of the London Lions final [Music] [Applause] 30 what to see the kid cam is going on in the arena but uh just this timeout right now you know laquincy Rau was figuring out but that layup I think that’s all he needs to see is the ball go through the net he will start to get himself going London got through swept them then they Swept Away Newcastle relatively easy 4 and0 through the playoffs same story for the chesher Phoenix as they met up with the Bristol flyers in the quarterfinals and then they got the Sheffield sharks and sweeps on both sides so really Z It’s The Perfect Storm with 507 to play here in the first half yeah and that first you know the results for for both teams I I think was just to Showcase that these are the two best teams in the league I feel like they’ve both had their moments London Lions obviously 33 and three and ches 203 and 13 um but just outstanding regular seasons and then into the playoff both both teams playing fantastic I think Matt Morgan talked about since that trovy where they lost they took it personally and didn’t lose uh from that moment on gini is having problems holding on to the Rock have knocked away twice going to try to give it to him it’s going to be a kick ball so it’ll be reset on the shot clock back to 14 we will step aside 450 to play in the first half it’s the London lions are they going to Hoist the trophy or are that cheser Phoenix going to get it done here at the O2 we’ll find out when we [Music] return e e e [Music] welcome back to the O2 Arena in London the final game of the season Mike tuck taking in the action anyone who is anyone is at the O2 tonight yes silver and also Morgan is’s in the building and onto the scoreboard back to a Akers dozen now as London leads it by 12 one of these teams will be hoisting the trophy tonight after the end of this one cheser Phoenix beat him in the trophy final up in Birmingham London would like to return the favor here that’s a bad matchup if I’m London yeah Gaben just not going to be able to stay with him well they’re getting that mismatch every single time on the pick and he’s not really taking full advantage but he did that and a nice feed for ol to Conor Morgan who gets a little dunk in with some emphasis not just little or a little rock as well make sure you know he’s up there and a lovely London Lions love that um guy cutting from the Baseline they have multiple looks at that all season and on the end was of Morgan Aaron Ry doing what he does Best Cuts to the Lane and he just a little hard off the glass it comes out wide and they tapped it off the glass so they’ll count that bucket you can’t have any interference when the ball hits the rim here’s the Baseline cut I was talking about it’s very hard to guard also hangs on the rim um and then there was interference of when when the offense shoots the ball and it touches the rim it must be able to go in without a Defender you know interrupting it and the foul is call before the Morgan kick out to Sam Decker so it’s 3241 Lon on top 336 to play in this one Todd Harris Stewart Drew ler with you on Championship Sunday here on Sky Sports as we bring to close the 23 24 season with everyone already talking about this fall business at hand though and someone’s got to get a hand in the face of Conor Morgan he’s getting way too many good looks Mao Jack will step aside in cam Kristen young man out of Allen Texas down lasker’s way played his college ball at Grambling comes in for Ben Thomas Z I still don’t know for my money if I’ve seen enough of Aaron Ry with the ball no I I would have to agree I don’t think he’s been aggressive but he does have Sam DEA and again Tariq philli taking this defensive stand to real personal Ethan charar wasn’t ready for it and Scot White’s going to be called for the foul as Gable Ain was just set up way too far underneath white almost had had to do that protction for the Lions so with 308 to play London will take it on the out of bounds Tariq philli has been such a spark Matt Morgan now Rises up and buries it trip kisses the three to the sky and the referee and the official table has called a time out cheser so chesser’s taking the timeout as they Trail by 12303 right now gives us a good opportunity to check in with Janette quat Obie sooko and raw pad now to find out what’s coming up at the half at Championship Sunday oh toia thank you so much we’re up here in the Gantry repositioned and it is a game and London look like they’re in control what’s caught your eye coach Ro well London in the trophy final gave up 98 points today they’ve come out and played defense that swarming defense has been tough for Chester to penetrate okay we’ll get into that for you I think we talked about one MVP today but we forgot to mention Sam DEA Sam DEA has gotten off to a great start um I think really giving those guys a spot it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on for the rest of the game the London defense s DEA and plenty more coming up at Hal time but TOA hand back to you all right thank you Janette I think that’s a great point that coach Rob brought up London gave up 98 points in that trophy championship game when they lost 9882 and here they are keeping Chester to 32 points with just three minutes to go it has been their emphasis and I I definitely think they’ve taken it personal as we’re seeing the the London wave go around Arena well come on you missed it it was our time to shine but yes the defense I think the defense is definitely a personal uh Endeavor that tarq Philip has taken on you can see right now the camera please go into Tariq Phillip and laquincy Rau they’re barking at each other they’re taking it on they’re looking at each other dead in the eye I love it Rau gets the switch Conor Morgan comes over on the help nice job there by Conor Morgan hold his ground Matt Morgan the Speedy Matt Morgan up and in that’s ivy league on Ivy League crime Cornell on Dartmouth oh no that’s Formula 1 speed down the court Aaron Ry comes right back and that’s what we need to see more of Aaron Ry and a nice interception there on the inbound play unable to hold on to his Camp Kristen that would have been huge if they could have come away with that swing 220 to play here in the first [Applause] half good opportunity now for chesher Come Away with some big defensive STS Gabel Leni still can’t get it to fall almost Point Blank laquincy Ron now Aaron Ry thought about driving the paint backs it down Sam Decker on him goes to the spin backside inside Up and Under uses the glass it might not be pretty all the time Z but it’s effective yeah and it was needed that he’s having a a tough time versus uh sanda’s length and speed but I like it he’s got Tricks in his back and look at this takes his time Poise understanding where he is under the basket and then finishes that’s big time and five rebounds in the last game against London but you go back to December 15th Aaron Ry went off for 32 points against London so the MVP runner up showing exactly why he certainly garnered plenty of votes sure did and you know and I did think he had a wonderful season Matt Morgan they were going back and forth uh total scoring to Matt Morgan Had 576 total points and Aaron Ry had 574 it was only two points between those two guys in the running for for um MVP I thought he had a tremendous season he was fantastic his first time in the British basketball league and like I talked about the deceleration how do you guard him he’s a matchup problem he’s got size he’s got physicality he’s got handles and clearly he’s got the Finish around the room Aaron Ryan one of the smartest players in the league as zna pointed out his rookie BBL season graduated from Dartmouth University they don’t just let anyone in there in a neuroscience degree right now with 11 points and one rebound they’re going need a lot more from him in the second half as we get underway again 10 points under two to play here in the first half Decker gets it into Morgan ol shenny now from 5T gets that one to fall pulls his hands up kind of like finally exactly what I was going to say struggling like you said the Quincy Roo is free to roam can’t get it to fall Sam Decker quick feet gets there Theo kind of sweeps right back no one called out on the hill but he picks his pocket wow the do getting back got her [Applause] wi the roof was get ready to rock wasn’t it off that Skyla white three what we’ve seen him hit so many times mat Morgan using that extra speed and they’ll give him the continuation MVP to MVP last year to this [Music] year and Matt Morgan is just been so tremendous and they gave him the uh continuation cuz the foul and then he had his two steps into the layup so it’s 5036 it was a 10-point ball game and then all of a sudden you hear the chance of MVP ricocheted around the arena MVP wonderful M wow oh this is giving me chills I love that you know you see it in the MVP uh in NBA so the MVP misses a free throw and the defensive player of the year comes in and says you let me just finish this for you let me help you out final minute of the first half Aaron R Rau on Sharma and B goes out of bounds and it was a London lion who had possession of it when it went out of bounds so it’s going to be 5 seconds on the shot clock and chesher with the ball 5236 here on Championship Sunday two best teams in the league this is one versus two right with his back to the rim and somehow Aaron Ry finds a way to get it in and he knew exactly what was on the shot clock took his time and the referee just giving Tariq a little warning saying you can’t pass the ball back to [Applause] me and there’s going to be an offensive foul Josh Sharma Wags the finger Al to kimbe Matumbo but foul is called that’s his second foul so they’re going to go back to Gaben s we’re not happy about leaving the game with 33 seconds in the first half want to make an impact so we’ll see if the Chester Phoenix can turn this into something One V one Rau for three got to hit it triple got to hit it misunderstanding miscommunication between the London Lions defense and they leave Rau wide open of course he’s going to knock that one down 5241 the shot clock is off Matt Morgan Gable aeni off foul and the charge called on Olen as Skyler white takes a fall using his body sacrificing his body takes that hit from down that’s a big guy Mo gets in here for the fin final 1.9 seconds long pass into the cheser bench touch nothing so the clock doesn’t start as Aaron R Takes a Tumble and Quincy angry with shaguar saying I’m right here bro is what he just said to him just make the easy pass but he’s gone for the long million dooll pass to Aaron Ryan turns it over and gives this last 1.9 to ler lions and more substitutions coming is Ben Thomas is going to bring in the Sharpshooter Macio Jack laquincy is going to take a seat a little chess match here folks there there’s still 1.9 seconds left and the coaches are like I I got to squeeze out at least one more three can’t get him getou comes in Skyler white goes out Mo Sola is going to stay on Conor Morgan’s going to go out checks in the reason at no time had gone David and w comes off Conor Morgan’s back on all right so we’re all set now for the final 1.9 seconds looks like there’s going to be a back Scream by Dante grantom and Matt Morgan at the top there let’s have a look Philip to trigger Matt Morgan Dante Grandam single pump lets it fly off the mark so the first half of Championship Sunday has come to a conclusion London led by 10 after one quarter they lead by 11 at the half 5241 as the players make their way to their respective dressing rooms Z very interesting we knew it was going to be a very tightly contested game but I think Tariq Philip has up the anti on the defense I think so and he came off the bench right and had to play extra minutes as uh Jordan Taylor got a bit injured but for me it’s him his intensity and his defense has been incredible Dam Decker standing by with our Drew Lasker thanks H Sam that first half that defense looked more like a pack dog yeah I mean we just got to show help but not get too extended because they got good Shooters and it’s just about being you know pressure pickup points on the ball and um when we do that we can speed them up and hopefully Force some misses but the big thing is if if they only get one shot and we get a rebound make or Miss we’ll be fine we just can’t let them get second opportunities and that happened a couple times but other than that I was happy with what we did it looked very physical go out there describe the intensity out there on the floor I mean it it it is what it is right it’s a championship game the atmosphere is going to be exciting um you know they came out with a lot of a lot of a lot of fire in them and a lot of stuff I don’t really play around with I just whatever uh I play try to play my game enjoy it have some fun it’s a great atmosphere and uh hopefully we can come on on top 20 more minutes thanks for your time Sam let’s head upstairs to Janette and a crew thank you very much Drew thank you very much indeed cheser Phoenix 41 London Lions 52 we’re going to get into everything right after the [Music] [Applause] break e e e e [Music] [Applause] it is Championship Sunday and it is the British pocket League playoff final a hostile environment for the Knicks but it means nothing all tied up for most of the f first and then the Lions started to slowly pull away with a 10-point lead at the end of the first then started to stretch even further with Incredible defense from London lines but the Phoenix showing signs of what they can do and that included MVP runner up Aaron Ry wasn’t always pretty but he was working to get it done and at the break you can see they start to stretch even more but for London distribution was the name of the game p DEA Conor Morgan Matt Morgan and Dante Granton they one point they were all on seven points and if you look here coach Rob alongside we can really see that three goal three-point field goal percentage for ches Phoenix they need to do a bit better than that yeah great job from the Lions defense holding them the four for 15 the other stat that J that jumps out to me 11 turnovers for the Phoenix they got to take care of it better in the second half and Obie when you look at that what jumps out for you what do the Phoenix need to do to show that they can beat this London Li team today I mean they the turnovers the turnovers are absolutely big deal cuzz if you look over there they’ve only had 19 shot attempts and the way they play obviously they like to get up a lot of reps they shoot a lot of Threes they make miss a lot of Threes but it’s all predicated on them getting up a lot of shots and the Lions defense has just been suffocating so far and haven’t allowed them to do that I think that might be the word suffocating they’re not giving chesha a break at all that is clearly part of their game plan today yeah no question about it I thought that first quarter they’re five for 16 from the field Chester they really came out and did a good job on defense I thought the second unit was swarming all over when they came in and they really made an impact you know led by the the defender the dog Tariq Phillip you could see how hard he was playing and how much he wants that and I think that when you have a guy playing like that it carries over to the other players yeah it’s contagious over my IV it is uh and here you see the guys off the bench just making plays this unit I was really impressed with them the guys that came off the bench they came in they saw that okay uh the game was kind of going in a so so um Direction they didn’t quite take control of the game and the bench they came in and did what you do did what do they took up a notch I want to stay with you cuz I want to talk about Sam DEA you mentioned to me at the start of today watch out for Sam DEA he’s not probably had the season that he wanted but today is a time where he can really show out I mean Sam DEA he is a 69 230b Wing small forward he is incredible I cannot say enough just how talented and how difficult a guard it is you know his size at that size 69 you just do a a terrific job and The Bigs here The Bigs ha it really set the tone yeah he’s part of a group of offensive big men they’re not playing today coach well there’s times where they’re going 69 69 69 across the front line and you can see in the clips here attacking the rim they did a really good job with that size of taking it to the basket I mean how do you defend against Bigs like that OB I mean you you really can’t you almost have to live with what they do the least you know so in gab’s um case you’re going to try and want to push him out Conor Morgan you might want to get him a little bit closer to the basket just take them out of their comfort zone it’s just like acceptance it is what it is at this point but they don’t want to do that ches are going to fight Aaron Ry like we say he’s getting it done it’s not pretty as we like it it’s ugly but he’s getting it done he’s getting it done I thought he kept them in the game they were in danger of being blown out in the first half and here comes Aaron Ry he does it in many ways he goes from backboard to backboard he gets the defensive rebounds at time get the offense he goes in semi transition you want to give him boom contact it doesn’t matter he’s so strong and so tough to defense and if it wasn’t for him today we could be you know talking about a blowout here yeah you know o when you look at this treasure team what do they need to do in for the second half to get it done to to show that they can come and get this trophy they need to get some stops um cuz they’re down and then just play their style you know their style they get down big but then they can come back just like that the way they can shoot the ball just get back to playing your style and what would you be saying to your team yeah Bob Chester I’m like hey lay it out on the line there is no tomorrow go get it now stay aggressive too especially from the three-point line okay well it’s halim here the British Basketball League playoff final the London Lions leading the cheser Phoenix can the cheser Phoenix turn it around all London Lions on the way to something pretty special we’ll be back right after [Music] [Applause] this e e e e e [Music] welcome back to the British Basketball League playoff final it’s halim and the score is London Lions 52 cheser Phoenix 41 the second half is just moments away and this is the final game of an incredible season which means it’s time to celebrate all of the achievements of all of those involved in the game so here with some of the end of season awards is Dan rout Matt Morgan is the men’s MVP after a standout first season in the British basketball league averaging 19 points per game Morgan is arguably the deadliest shooter in the league he topped the charts in threo percentage was second in free throw shooting and even placed in the top 10 in field goal percentage with his deadly speed leaving Defenders trailing in his wake GB Superstar tamy f benley is the women’s MVP after spearheading London’s success both home and abroad averaging 13 points and six rebounds per game benley shot a scarcely believable 17 2% from the floor by some distance the best season average in the history of the women’s British basketball league men’s coach of the year is Ben Thomas claiming the award for the first time the lifelong cheshier fan has had an incredible season with Phoenix leading them to Trophy glory in January and showing their consistency all year to finish second in the regular season he’s also only the second coach to win four coach of the month Awards in the same season women’s Coach of the Year is Stella cedu after leading London Lions to the perfect campaign 25 games played 25 games won and all by a double figure margin as they look to complete the domestic sweep in the playoff final not only that but Stella made history by Leading the Lions to the Euro Cup women’s Crown the first ever Continental success for a British team I think you’ll agree such deserved winners in addition to the molon MVP and Coach of the Year Awards sheffields Nate Montgomery and London Chenise Beckford Norton picked up the community champion award thanks to their outstanding work in their local communities chess Mac Jack and Essex Rebels Megan Haynes collected the most improved player Awards defensive player of the year went to London’s Josh Sharma and calonia lak James and the sixth player of the year is given to the player who has the most impact coming off the bench and that went to chess’s rookie cam Christen and London’s Abby Meers we already seen her in Action a bit earlier and also the young player of the year went to 17-year-old GB International and Nottingham World cap Valerie Cassidy DeFalco and if you want to check out who made the defensive team and the British team and the team of the year please go on the British basketball league website for all of those details yeah and I mean we’ve been talking about Matt Morgan and Coach do you believe he deserve that mvp award it was close with Ry but I think so with the dominance of London throughout the season I think Matt Morgan was the right choice yeah so he takes it for you just just just just and I’m going to ask the coach question to oie is given to Ben Thomas what what in your opinion was that the right decision I feel like yeah given the team and I feel like he’s had the Cinderella Team of the Year and anytime you have that sort of team the coach you have to have him in the discussion at least so I’m not angry at him winning well we can hear from coach benen Thomas now before the second half starts he’s in J Lasco coach we see you very animated there in the first half can you tell us your frustrations from the sidelines we’re just not playing how we have been all season and credit to London they’ve uh they’ve brought the intensity defensively taken us out of some of our actions but we’ve just got to be better and I’m just trying to get the get the team firal thanks for your time coach no worries so it’s just 20 minutes that stands between one of these teams and a trophy at the playoff final I’m going to hand you back to Todd Harris thank you Janette as we get set for the second half 20 minutes of basketball to Perman a title winner here as we wrap up what has been an amazing season and credit to all those players coaches staff members Community performers like Chenise beckord Norton for doing such a great job this year yeah that’s fantastic and especially you can get an award like that to wrap up your season we got a fair few Award winners on here M Jack Mao doesn’t get the shooters roll but on the inside they’re going to get the foul and looks like Ethan shua coming across fing Conor Morgan Conor Morgan little bit shaking out I think there was more of it an elbow and any action to the face or to the head always be deemed as a foul double check so I’m glad to see that he’s up [Applause] 5241 and Tariq Phillip is going to stay in just saw Jordan Taylor take a shot to the knee in that first half so that is the only change on that end Conor Morgan Sam Decker first one out of the locker room at the half getting some extra shots in gble aeny gets that one to fall also calling for a foul little shinny really struggled D from inside 8 feet until the end he able to get two shots to drop yeah it was just catching the ball I think oh what a pocket pick here we go Tariq Phillip Tariq philli adds to his steals he had three in the first half make it four he was that impact player seven points one rebound six assists and the Steals and here he is again the Lions have ratchet up their defense even more Matt Morgan for three knock off timeout Bingo timeout [Applause] out you couldn’t call it any quicker the third quar quarter is such an important quarter whereas ches could have really started to chip away at that lead but no London lions come out even hot and heavier this is called putting your boot on the opponent’s throat packing the punches Matt Morgan MVP in the corner nothing but net splashes but for me it’s Tariq Phillip Todd the defense over and over he’s being a pester he’s being annoying and he’s being relentless that’s Brooklyn New York for you the Brooklyn natives certainly lifting the level of defensive intensity Todd Harris Isa Stewart would you I think that has been the difference we all reckon back to what happened in January at the trophy final this is a different level of defense that London’s playing oh they took it personal you know they said they couldn’t wait for this matchup they’ve been waiting for it uh all playoffs they wanted ches to come back but for me yet again I’ve spoken about it it’s Tariq philli I just think his heat his heaviness his focus and intensity is next level so his teammates are matching it and the energy is contagious Ben Thomas the coach of the year talking with Drew Lasker there just before the start of the second half his frustration obviously is visible how does he get his team back to playing cheser ball well you’re right he said he was a bit upset um and I guarantee you right now he’s even more upset they come into this third quarter and now a 70 run but since the start he’s upset look at him and you have to call a timeout or it’ll just get out of hand so they’ve got to answer here something solid something easy the London lons isn’t making anything easy trailed by 11 at the half and London comes out and reels off seven quick points statement points you like to call them Skyler White had a look at a three three clutches and doesn’t get it to fall but Mao Jack is there to put it in so Mao Jack turns that into a plus as they pick up two very badly needed points to stem the flow of offense coming from the way of the London [Applause] Lions ol sheny oh nice pass from Matt Morgan kicks it out Sam Decker shot rims out here comes Aaron Ry surveying the field kicks it back back to Skyler white Skyler driving faking left fall away and gets the glass shot to go and good from Skyler white he’s seeing his three-point shot isn’t dropping so change it up he’s able to do that puts the ball on the floor is a match uh match up Nightmare and gets to that midrange Sam Decker got in the air thought about shooting it kicks it out to Gable who suddenly found the touch here at the 02 trading baskets is just not going to work that simple map yeah o Mao Jack goes Baseline and able to flush it oh good job by Jack left Matt Morgan in the dust not like him Conor Morgan ol shenny keeps it alive shot clock back to [Music] 14 Conor Morgan again kicks it out to Matt Morgan no relation and Sam Decker Gable aseni is perfect within 5et this half he’s back but it was from that rebound from Sam DEA getting an extra possession oh a nice play there as Ethan shark wad of Tulsa Oklahoma takes the pass the foul and he’ll go to line to try to complete the three-point play wonderful job from maio Jack in that pick and roll his eyes was up and waiting for shawa Rolling to the rim he knew exactly where wanted to get the ball look at this H there just the layup and the Finish Z this is Championship caliber ball obviously London doing their thing but chesher easily could have rolled over and said you know it’s just not our day yeah walking away and they are coming back there’s definitely still some dog in the top dog I don’t think it’s their style you know it’s it’s their DNA to be tough also their competitors also they want to win another trophy they know they’ve had it in them that they’ve beaten London Lions before what MVP to MVP this year to last year as Matt Morgan puts that speed on display everyone converges on him and they leave Sam Decker shua comes down the middle and he’s going to get another opportunity for an and one as he was kind of bumped in the air awkwardly and came down but you’re right Todd they can’t trade baskets can they they’ve got to get stops down the other end here it is MVP to MVP you’re right that’s a beautiful full play so once again Ethan shua this is not a Deja Vu just moments ago same thing stepped up so six quick points from Ethan Chara but they are changing buckets back and forth 6553 12-point lead for the London Lions situation where the trophy final up in Birmingham London was down late kept thinking they were going to make a run they’re waiting they’re waiting maybe too patient that shot Off the Mark Mao Jack now laquincy Rau with the ball who’s going to pick him up no one so he’ll step back and gets nothing but London air and the fans supporting the lions are going to let him hear about it yeah you know we’ve seen him hit it in the first half and just a quiet ches it fan maybe they need something to get going and they needed that and you know Skyla white also so one from five from three such a great Core group that the Chester Phoenix have oh yeah wow sharing is carried and samam Decker everyone giving slam Decker a little extra love and it’s that Baseline cut again just finds a way Aaron R takes the bump big body no problem there steps back hits the little floater the London Lions offense right now Decker H sheni in the backside can’t hold on to it bodies on the ground Decker Ry ball comes up into the hands of Skyler white always wanted to be a point guard Skyler white going to get fouled by Conor Morgan but he had the left arm out there and there were some contact back at the other end as players trying to extract themselves from one another 456 to play in the third 6755 cheser barking back at the [Music] [Applause] Lions e e let’s just check if you’re here we’ve got royalty in the 02 as the London Lions women’s Squad fresh off of WI the Euro Cup the regular season and today defeating Newcastle for the title A welld deserved honor and that is a complete Squad yeah it is and they’re sitting pretty court side back here inside the O2 the men now take center stage chesher and London Oh Aaron Ry with just a beauty and lets C aseni know about it yeah High aring three-point shot still talking to him we’re taking this up another level Dante gram comes in and he’s like a little extra added hot sauce for the London Lions Matt Morgan kicks it out Tariq Phillip Grandam now thought about the three laquincy Rau forces him into an awkward shot and they’re going to call a foul on Skyler white who can’t believe it wow I tell you what 424 to play in the third and things are heating up right now speaking up high let’s go down to our Courtside man Drew Lasker thanks Ty I’m here with Jake Wood from East Enders what brings you out the British basketball listen I’ve been here about three or four times and this at this event the final I always come back and support the event it’s amazing man it’s just uh you know we got packs 02 the atmosphere is off the scale I’m here my kids my family they love it so uh yeah I’m always happy to support if if they need another body are we able to throw you out there as a they got any injuries I’m there yeah totally throw me in okay can you slam down I can do nothing I’m not it’s got knowledge about the game but I just love the in I love the atmosphere um yeah it’s a close game today so yeah it’s but listen honestly if you’re thinking about going to support a game go and get involved or you know just to support basketball in this country go along get involved it’s so exciting you know I’m a football fan so like normally there’s a goal every like 30 minutes if you’re lucky here there’s like a slam dunk every like every 30 seconds it’s it’s mad yeah the energy is crazy I’m going to put you on a spot you got to choose a winner London or chesha who you going for I’m going to go London because cuz I’m from London so yeah that’s it representing the hometown there Tai we got Jake wood in the house baby thank you very much that is true dedication of course he’s going to pick London he’s an East Ender yeah got to go to the London Lions I got to give a lot of love to not only the fans that turned out today but everyone that’s been making British basketball what it is this year you think about it today is the final day of the Premier League I don’t know if you’ve heard about that League before but the Premier League final final game of the season and look at all the fans that have turned out to watch the British B Le yeah I’m a little salty cuz I don’t think Arsenal are going to get it done but uh nice soft touch from shaguar but Max is who I know from East Enders I didn’t know his real name you know you only know their their star names and I’ve Watchers for years we’ve got an eight-point game and another steal coming David and Waba Returns the favor he spins on Aaron R not taking any foul and laquincy Rau somehow comes away with it wow Christ Camp Kristen lets the three go buries it big we’ve got ourselves a fivepoint ball game in the capital city huge charge wow cam Christen to hold his uh Poise but also that balance he lets the defense fly by and cam Kristen taking personal umprint with the London lion bench instead of going to celebrate with his Squad he goes over and and has to be held back by Aaron Ry don’t look now here come the [Applause] Knicks technical foul has been assessed here it is look at that it lets the defense fly by resets his feet and then as he shoots the ball he looks at the bench look defense goes by resets lets it go and then let’s hopefully yeah we miss him but he turns around and stares down London line bench so it’s a technical foul on cam Kristen he’s letting the officials know why he was so heated and it was something on the London bench whether someone said something as he as he finished his follow through and hit the shot see he was kind of out of bounds and awfully close to the Personnel for the London Lions well listen this is an intense environment it’s the finals they’re making a comeback the energy the momentum is with the chesher Phoenix of course sometimes you take that technical foul it’s a difficult one because obviously Lon Lions puts one point on the board but that momentum that you know star down I’m here and I’m here to play so I’m really glad ches have made a run back and Chi back into this lead 6963 316 to play in the third and then we’ve got the dessert the piece the resistance the main course the fourth quarter 10 minutes of British basketball for the title and this one’s far from over yeah and Coach bosic you definitely and and this is the thing about basketball right it’s about ups and downs roundabouts also momentum a team may go on a run but a team like chesher can answer that run they play with intensity they’re not going to let down they’re going to play till the very end and so we see coach bage call the timeout stop the bleeding stop the momentum and get them back back into the group good fight across the board by all the players coaches and staff and the fans that are here they are certainly enjoying this show special shout out to our main man Archer wilhurst hospitalized on Friday we want to send him our very best wishes get better get better soon Buddy hopefully he’s watching on Sky Sports so coach bich calls the timeout and get the technical but he’s got a sense uhoh this is deja vu all over again from Birmingham earlier this year here I do not want to see this happen again yeah and uh they were only up five in birming at halim it was 5045 it was only a five-point game that they were up and then Tesha came back so that timeout was definitely needed cuz you can just feel [Music] it see Taylor back in the game Grandam for a deep three and WBA goes right back up with it athletic and wava oh he gets tied up with her d [Applause] [Music] W Ando played into that because David and W his momentum as he goes up for a layup is turning and gets caught up and then Rau gets hit very smart play and he’s upset about it here it is look he scores the well he jumps back up and then his momentum he tries to defend the ball and look it just gives that little shot the small [Applause] ofo somehow laquincy Rau is always in the mix and wble rocks right past it just just a brush by not this time David and Waba rips away the rebound comes right back towards o Jack and he’s fouled and he’ll go to the line he’s still steamed about that foul you can see he’s taking it personal right he said give me that ball and he drives all the way down the other end and gets a foul and goes to the r David Anda averaging over 18 points per game in the playoffs he’s one of the players we talked about upping his game came in averaging 14 points and five boards during the regular season and the thing is Todd it’s in the minutes he’s only playing you know the the quarters and the semis uh he’s only playing 17 minutes and he’s doing fantastic his production with those minutes he’s playing a little bit more today the country for just over five months as David and wbat of Los Angeles California played his college ball at Cal paully and then spending time in the NBA for a few seasons oh his body looks like an NBA player jacked carves hles Aaron Ry going right at the defensive player of the year and it’s off the chest could have probably called a foul but they don’t as it stays with Phoenix looks like Ethan sh was the last one to touch it 6 seconds on the shot clock yeah offensive foul and right off the bat cam Kristen gets Tangled Up with the MVP Matt Morgan this is the kind of stuff I’m sure Ben Thomas loves the the aggressiveness the way his boys are fighting but you got to be smart yeah you got to be smart indeed intelligent don’t just shove and push you’ve got to be intentional with your movement and so he’ll hit the bench J and quo once again in the mix and the possession arrow after the jump ball is called will stay with the the Lions Z you know we still have another quarter to go I was just going to say this is already getting feisty for full game we got another quter and Wabba wheen D can’t get it to fall Rau with the stiff arm and they’re going to get Jordan Taylor as he came in [Applause] don’t know if I like that foul Todd I do I do appreciate that but yet again laquincy Rau but here good defense from Jack and then Rau just in the way and then just [Applause] arm you know L Quincy loves loves stepping to the line and hearing the booze oh yeah he he lives for it he does doesn’t mind it at all and also but gets the ches Phoenix fans off the off their out of their seats and on their feet goes through his free throw shooting routine and gets the roll Sam Decker and Tariq Phillip come in Matt Morgan will step off as will the captain Jordan Taylor 209 to play in the third six point Point London lead Winner Takes the title simple as [Music] [Applause] that gr them have Baseline going moving now Decker ball knocked away Mao Jack with it Jack on the drive and the layup fantastic job by Jack wonderful gets in the way 100 seconds remains in the third quarter fourpoint ball game with 100 seconds to play in the [Applause] third and that’s an easy call right in front of the officials Ethan shark stepped right in and he’ll pick up the foul so 131 to play 91 seconds 7268 Z it looked like earli in the third this thing might be over as London had built a huge double digit lead and now sh has done what chesher does just shaguar that’s his fourth I think right that four foul and Taylor has a fourth foul but you’re right I told you that Todd I said um chesh is going to fight till the very end and it’s only the third quarter so they fought to the very end of this third quarter and then we’ve got the fourth which you like to call Desert a cherry on top to figure out who our Champions going to be you know the big winners are everyone watching on Sky Sports everyone in the O2 Arena because we’ve got one quarter and if you thought the first three quarters were heated buckle up yeah philli runs it back up to six but Z if you’re chesher and Ben Thomas the coach of the year you got to feel great you got this thing that within six with a quarter still to play where they wanted yeah exactly where they wanted you know scota white hasn’t even gone off yet um Aaron right you are exactly where you want to be come on Rau got the match up he was looking for can’t get the shot to drop Ry on Phillip takes the bump off the glass can’t get it to fall Here Comes Macio Jack he’s got numbers deep three Stevens there comes Grantham now Decker [Applause] six on the shot clock Aaron Ry somehow comes the way with it Grandam on him Ry into the lane kicks it out Mao Jack Jack beautiful offense way to share the ball that is Team Basketball goes inside gives up a good shot for a better shot wow and he Nails it Point ball game shot clock is off Tariq philli lobs it up to Sharma final second Rau lets it Fly just off the front of the rim this is what British b ball need play what we want right the Lions led by 10 after one they led by 11 at the half it is now a three-point ball game fourth quarter coming up next on Sky [Music] [Applause] Sports e e e [Music] [Applause] the gesture Phoenix outscore the London lions 30-22 in that pivotal third period and now they Trail it just by three Macio Jack has come alive Quincy Rau has been in the mix the entire time and Aaron Ry well he’s just doing Aaron Ry things here we go the final 10 minutes for a title gosh nine points from Jack see Jack look at this gets his own rebound reset the shot clock ball knocked away David and Waba comes away with it Skyler white thought about taking a chance Conor Morgan he’ll pull the trigger on a three can’t get it to drop Sam Decker comes away with it for the [Applause] Lions good look for Conor Morgan usually knocks that one down and now an opportunity for chesher to tie or cut it to one make it cut it to one gosh and that’s where laquincy Rau is so good he’s so strong physical you would think uh gron with the length would be better but he just bulldozes him out the way Morgan to Decker clutch automatic he gets that ball in that shooting pocket beautiful follow through you know that’s nothing but it 7773 Aaron Ry takes the bump takes the contact three men on him and he’s foul as he tries to pass it over to Skyler white get Sam [Applause] [Music] Dicker posession Z I cannot believe what chesher has done once again yeah look at this shot see what I mean that’s a picture perfect jump [Applause] shot away Dante CR them there’s blocks and then there’s some blocks with attitude that was the [Applause] ladder yet again this a good back door play but there’s the length the swipe [Applause] through Conor Morgan hits the [Applause] deck best way to describe this game so far Z spicy spicy hot that’s exactly what it is with a little bit of assassin attitude spicy and swego Macio Jack on the delay going to get Conor Morgan on the trail and Morgan grabed him at least that’s what the call was and they’re going to say and they’re going to give him their continuation they sure did Sam Decker’s out there saying you know he took off from the three-point line when you blew the whistle have a look he hits him there one two yep it’s the right call the continuation after the foul so only be one free throw at the line coach always says play till the whistle play to after to the whistle get that continuation we’ve got ourselves a one-point ball game in the O2 Arena in London on Championship Sunday as the British basketball league comes to a conclusion the two best teams going at it in a heavyweight prize fight Dante Grandam with the floater can’t get it the fall scy white Skies can’t get it it’s side Conor Morgan he’s blocked and the ball’s pinned you’ve seen it all today corner of foul though cuz I was going to say the ball was we call that a wedgie in basketball where it wedges between the glass look at this wedges it right in between that a foul let’s have a look saying a foul maybe on the net Scot White’s going to to go to the bench big scholar is going to take a seat Conor Morgan steps up and misses badly on the first [Music] one Conor Morgan that is his first free throw attempt in the playoffs hard to believe W I’m sorry what and he miss that’s I know I had to double so not like him he so aggressive to the room really hit a bit of a slump in thisch weed last couple of weeks now the switch Mao Jack feeling it not this time Grandam to anaba this is where anaba is dangerous when he’s in takes that bump like nothing thought he was going to get the foul call does get anything and Aaron ryy now looking to push the pace oh look at this this time doesn’t get the roll but the Stutter Step the deceleration had it all right [Applause] there granson gets the double team good defensive rotation knocked out of bounds and and Waba is the last man to touch [Applause] ITA takes a little offense to Ben Thomas cheering right in his grill I’m sorry that defensive Rotation by cheser Phoenix was Elite and then here laquincy rot just slaps down and then it’s last off of David Anda and the crowd the cheshier fans love it six steals for laquincy Rau oh he leads the league yeah he’s he’ll pick your pocket Ste an assist he knows how to pick a pocket coming up on seven minutes to play in the ball ball game 7776 London at one point had a 14-point lead Aaron Ry just comes up a little bit short but that’s the shot I’m sure head coach Ben Thomas would love to see him get Matt Morgan Jordan Taylor back on the floor remember back at the trophy final Jordan Taylor was the one guy that was able to get those clutch buckets going down to the finish this time is it Sam Decker not in that shot Rau Top Dog looking to run Mac Jack and they’re going to get him for the travel spectacular dunk that will go not that’s a [Applause] disappointment unfortunate because the lane opened up the travel didn’t get the ball on the floor Bo he moved his feet so here’s a foul on quency that’s a veteran move by JT laquincy was right up on him and he knew if he swung the ball around he was going to have contact right in front of the officials got to call it so he backs off this time JT barking at instructions London clinging to a one-point lead get it to the MVP Matt Morgan with his speed knocked away G aeni cing it up and puts it in wonderful job and that’s where gab aleni has been effective this season just doing the 30 work is Mr consistent three-point ball game and this time they’re going to get Jordan Taylor you better be carefull you can’t believe it and uh coach bit says how is that possible final personal foul for Jordan he will leave the game so J going to have to take a [Music] seat what a game we have on our half here at the 02 and unfortunately for the Lions they do not have the services of Luke Lord Nelson I don’t know about that Z yeah I think that’s a no C I think you just let that one play out then untangle themselves three-point ball game Macio Jack goes to work hard off the backboard here come the [Applause] Lions Grantham Phillip de spinning back to Grandam flat sh wall tid up they are dodging bullets are the chesher Phoenix yeah they are right right to the r and that’s where Aaron R is the runner up of MVP sees the the opening the mismatch strong takes his time puts the ball in one point game Char they’re going to get they’re going to get G oh goiny Roo is in the middle of everything but you know what he’s so smart but annoyingly Smart in the fact of he knows sound de is showing what he was doing with his body he knew that the offensive player was coming over so he strategically put himself in the way look here he comes look he watches he watches gab baleni gets in the way goes too yes gets in the way oh the instigator doing his thing but gets the bull back one-point ball game Aaron Ry Rises up Decker with the [Applause] rebound back and forth they go we’re coming up on 445 to play in the ball game Championship Sunday from the o02 and it doesn’t get much better than this Morgan drives contact made in the [Applause] air fou against number three media time out David and W getting set to check in we’ve got ourselves a good one a onepoint lead for the Lions Matt Morgan to the line when we return 436 to play [Music] [Applause] [Music] e e [Music] [Applause] live on Sky Sports calling on higher Powers as the chesher Phoenix Trail by one 436 to play here in the fourth Matt Morgan the newly crowned MVP of the league strolls to the line and hits the first [Music] 8078 London had a sizable lead in the second half just could not hold on to it down 14 and here we go Aaron ride the MVP runner up as his head coach Ben Thomas the coach of the year looks [Music] on big screen from Shire laquincy Rau drives into the paint Skyler white back into the game gives it right back to Rau he got Decker one-on-one drives on Decker goes up and under can’t get it to fall Aaron Ry has it knocked away shua Mao and Sam Decker has become the calming Force for the London lions with their Captain Jordan Taylor out of the game with five personal fouls Tariq philli [Music] now into the hands of Macio Jack one-on-one with Morgan loses the handle but Aaron Ry there Aaron Ry takes a hard foul and takes exception to David and wber as he throws the ball up and wber wber doesn’t like that lot of bodies flying and David and here it is the ball slips out Jack slips and then Aaron R and David aaba just comes in and he throws the ball off of him but it’s because he was falling out of [Music] bounds so Aaron Ry goes to the line now he’s picked up his game 19 points eight rebounds during the regular season 20 points eight rebounds in the playoffs and a 76% free throw shooter so the pride of Dartmouth will have one more trying to cut this back to a two-point ball game and Wabba changes sides and immediately sha starts Jo with him two-point game twoo game wow can see some nervous [Music] just ol shenny looking to get it into the hands of Matt Morgan the league MVP David and wava driving Tariq Phillip Macio Jack had it shua ends up with it and who ends up with it after all laquincy Rau tie or take the lead oh the tip goes AR as Chara looked like he was going to have it and the foul will be called on Aaron Ry as David and Waba was Off to the Races what a tough Oh shot there Aon R just bounces off and then shagwa can’t get it in and but London Lions they get that rebound better BOS is going to go to his bench he’s going to bring Dante Grandam back in a real going to sub out Sam Decker a real tense moment have Sam Decker’s happy about that sub I thought it was very telling Sam Decker’s interview at the halftime with Drew Lasker so calm just oh yeah it’s just a ball game this is what we do I don’t get caught up in all the other stuff see if he changes this tune we come down under 310 to play 14 points SL rebound not bad not bad at all oleni from 8 ft automatic yeah he loves that little soft touch push not really a full follow through he just kind of softly pushes up there fourpoint Breathing Room shua to Ry Skyler white nope and gab asini gets the rebound gosh I’m just waiting for Skyler white to hit a shot you know hasn’t really got on fire up this has been an absolute classic here in 2024 in the championship game London Lions Chester Phoenix going toe to- toe Matt Morgan and Gable Asen gets it taken away by Aaron R Aaron right give him a steal yeah add it to it Cano on the dime crosscourt Macio Jack gets Tangled upou and there they call Matt Morgan on the foul Matt Morgan wants to travel so the third quarter was pretty high paced as chesher made their big comeback only 17 points have been scored between the twoz in the fourth yeah almost 8 minutes of of play bit more slow intentional but the free throws we spoke about it in a game like this where it’s so close the free throw are going to be important and you need to Chip Away n jack’s first Miss with the free throw in the playoffs before that he was eight for eight back on trackpoint game three-point ball game here in London the O2 Arena the championship Sunday it is London and chesher battling for the trophy winner take all two minutes to play London by three Morgan wheeling and dealing Tariq Phillip for three Quincy Rau tracks it down now Aaron R sizes up the defense gives it back to laquincy and here’s that mismatch again yeah this is what they wanted in the pick and row this time he goes right at him and Dante Grandam steps in the way of the pass does a great job Matt Morgan and he’s going to be fouled as Macio Jack was on the help defense but a great job by the Lions to push the pace and they’ll send Matt Morgan the league reigning MVP to the line Matt Morgan’s so smart he’s out in transition but what he does is slows down lets the defense come on his back and and push him and gets those fouls and he’ll go back to the free throw line that’s one thing he’s done incredibly this season he plays for the foul down at the other end of the Court out you can see Dante Grantham he’s still on the court but at the very end Baseline talking to Jordan Taylor JT out of the game with five fouls but coaching the guys up Matt Morgan misses so Morgan a 90% free throw shooter can’t hit the first he’ll have [Applause] another gets it fourpoint ball game the captain he’s stilling it with his Lions 90 seconds to go for a title London clinging to a four-point lead wow what a I need to take a breath I need fantastic all right let’s break it down if you’re Ben Thomas in the cheser Phoenix you’ve got 90 seconds where do you want to go well I think you can’t go without a bucket here you can’t afford it possession I think you know what I like what they’re doing with the pick and roll and they’re getting the mismatch with laquincy Rau and uh and let go go to the basket arive come’s go so Ben Thomas be aggressive get to the basket thinking about [Applause] it on their feet in the 02 as we come up on the final 990 seconds of Championship Sunday Phoenix fans about chew off what fingernails they have left the London lons looking to claim not only the regular season title but the playoff championship an intense minute and a half here let’s see what Ben Thomas threw up if they can execute it and potentially hit into this lead go ahead the quency Rau will inbound the pass he has played 36 minutes of this game so far and rarely left the court shua inside goes up against oeni ball knocked away into the hands of maio Jack and he can’t control it and it slips out of his hand shagu asking for a [Music] foul and you wonder if that was The Possession you talked about it it could not come away with an empty possession didn’t have to be a three but they needed the two so now they’re going to have to take some serious chances on defense yeah they’re going full courau press here but like I said you couldn’t afford an empty possession just makes it a little more tougher wait what is Matt Morgan doing ah there was there was there was still time there trying to mop up a wet spot so Matt Morgan decide you remember back in the day when you’re playing horse I’m going to shoot from behind the backboard that was a play that was a play shooting in the wrong basket and there’s Ben Thomas in deep thought what is he going to do better bosic first year as the head man of the London Lions yes he inherited a great team but he has run them to a regular season record of 33 and3 and let’s not forget they made it the semifinals in the Euro Cup yeah and just did a great job of managing you know they got some great players two great program final 110 of the Season philli oleni Fade Away off the front of the rim Here Comes Rau pushing the pace he’ll take the bump and the hard and just like Matt Morgan who plays for the you know the hit in the defense behind him look at this Roo in full speed takes the hit from onen finish flips it up there and gets the an one remember that play yeah let me he in the semifinals up in buring him yeah when they had to get through I think it was against Lester and he ended up a similar play like that hit the deet got the ball up got the three firman him yes strangely reminiscent andless he’s loving it loves the fans ruing [Music] him and David aaba loves to break up his rhythm right when he’s getting ready to warm up he goes a you know I think I’ll I’ll try the other side yeah and need the referees he says I don’t like that I’ve already got the ball so technically he’s not allowed to cut across get this we are back to a onepoint ball game 58 seconds to play would you have it any other way I sure wouldn’t the F this one lady honestly she’s going to cry uh but the fans this is what I spoke about in the semi-final I got tested by Dan rled he said who do you think is going to win and I said I really just want a great game a tough game and not a blowout and this is what I asked for and I got it the two best teams going Toe to Toe one point ball game less than a minute to play Quincy Rau Quincy Rau 18 points 12 rebounds eight assists and six steals not to mention all kinds of ation for the London Lions yeah and here’s pet bosic throwing up a plate Z I got to be honest with you I I think I think you got to go back to Gabi I mean he’s been so good in that 8 foot range I know he’s missed his last two but I I I that’s just me yeah um I don’t mind that I think you get something downhill to the rim something with Matt Morgan oh there’s our time to shine there we are jump around I don’t know where you are cameraman but thank you we’re working jumping around um but yes sorry I got distracted by us we got two seconds of Fain there here we go who are you going to if you’re the London lion um I’m going to Matt Morgan I think the MVP but I want a screen I want some sort of screen going to the rim and then he’s got multiple options Sam Decker’s on the floor Matt Morgan Tariq Phillip David andaba and Dante Grandam still scratch that Gable aen talk he’s not even on the court I think it’s DEA or Morgan here we go we’re about to find out 20 seconds on the shot clock oh Sam with the ball with the point guard way sha extending that defense ball gets into the hands of Matt Morgan maio Jack on him [Music] hangs in the air Tariq Phillip and he’s going to take the bump off of Aaron Ry they’re going to say before the AC of shooting but ches in the bonus so that means they have five team fouls so Philip will go matter one and one to the free thr line to shoot two bonus situation for the London lions and now the question is can Tariq Phillip knock these down [Applause] Tariq Phillip before he took that shot was N9 for n in the playoffs from the foul line it’s p press up I was going to say something but I didn’t want to be accused of the announcer Jinx you didn’t say anything did not say anything that’s all on him that’s all on the cheser fans going absolutely crazy you can see him on the other side of the Court there with their drums gets a second two-point ball game two point ball game so now the question is to Ben Thomas and the Phoenix Z I’m guessing you got to go with either three or 21 yeah I I do I think also maybe Aaron R they’ve got so many multiple looks here it is laquincy Drive dis bucket big timeo steps up takes the hit we are all even 25 seconds to play 85 all in the [Applause] 02 shot clock at six Morgan Decker yes Deca doing some Deca things we’ve seen this multiple times this season comes out and hits a Daka 9.1 seconds on the clock Sam DEA wham bam thank you Sam maybe the most clutch shot of the entire season look at this MVP to MVP Matt Morgan drives sucks in the defense kicks it out to Sam Deca he’s wide open has enough time to Lock and Load and hit nothing but net and splashes it Decker goes full Jimmy Chitwood if you haven’t seen it watch hooers that was As Good As It Gets still 9 seconds 9.1 to be exact plent of time for all Z if you’re the Phoenix Macio Jack’s available laquincy rau’s available look at it they put Sky white in as well big boy big boy time Big Money big action and he steps up I’ve seen Sanda all throughout this season and even last season he doesn’t feel pressure I told you it makes diamonds and he Shin but the thing is 9.1 [Music] seconds you guarantee that Tariq Philip is not going to leave the side of laquincy Rau little fingers crossed that that got David and wobba on him here we go 9.1 seconds 9.1 seconds to a title Jack tied up gets the shot away contested nothing there Aaron Ry has it he has a look at it nothing there London Lions take a bow absolutely an incredible game they get a look at it but the swarming defense has been incredible for London Lions wow [Music] [Applause] we and there they are in the middle jumping up and down beautiful smile from bosic that was the most wonderful fantastic awesome awesome can we extend the season another week mon of course and you know sad thing is is somebody’s got a lose you know but the defense from London Lions there that last possession yeah to absolutely smother it that they don’t get a good look at it and justed I guess now’s as good a time as any who’s your MVP I’m going with that man there Sam Zer with the absolute sniper of a shot just puts his team on the back he’s signed for 3 years he’s about it he loves London and we get to have a chat with him oh Sam Decker puts on an absolute show can he handle the pressure of talking with Drew Lasker we’re about to find out Sam Decker last year you missed this game you missed the trophy and it stung your team what are you feeling now um proud um it’s been really hard year for me like so many ups and downs and T on this note is really good it’s good thank you 7 Seconds 9 seconds on the clock you’re standing there in the corner walk me through that moment well Matt draws a lot of attention he’s MVP of this league for a reason um he trust us though that’s the thing about him when when he signed with us I said it says on anyone’s team come here and be Matt Morgan and he showed that all year and there you know his ego could have taken over he could have gone I’m the MVP it’s my shot they overh helped he he kicked it to me and you know if I could two my own hor those shots that’s what I do that’s what I do August 17th you guys come together for the first time talk about all the sacrifices required to get to this moment it’s hard man it’s hard you know we had a you know coach change right before the season and we started training camp without a coach and we just had to come together Forge together um and and become you know one as a unit that’s hard to do and um you know really proud of the ups and downs I’ve been out so many guys have been in and out relieving minutes for guys and um this is pretty special to finish it like this Sam Decker congratulations soak up the moment let’s do it let’s do it let’s go woo what a finish guys what a finished indeed and the O2 has absolutely erupted the London lions are your playoff Champions and there is your man of the match your MVP it is Sam DEA Rob pesto alongside me Obi sooko there were times coach Rob I said my heart can’t take this and you said try coaching what a game well that’s what it’s all about today here you know two great teams battling give Chester credit they never quit they kept coming and coming and coming and Obie and I said where’s Decker he’s not on the floor they put him back on the floor and he certainly paid off with him making that Shob and one thing you did say Obie Sam DEA today you watch him you see him he’s a big player when he’s fit and when he’s ready he could go and he has won it for his team today I mean he’s a big time player he had a terrific season last year you know was able to see what he capable of but obviously he struggled with injuries this year so we haven’t seen him at the level that we would have liked to over the course of the season but today he’s been terrific made maybe the shot of the season for these guys well there they are the London Lions your play of Champions they’re about to lift that Trophy and a word for the cheser Phoenix of course they push them all the way welld deserved Runners up but today it is all about the London Lions I’ll hand you over to Todd Harrison is Ana Stewart who can take you through the Trophy presentation all right thank you very much Janette everyone take a deep breath and enjoy what we just saw Sam Decker’s father-in-law the great Kevin Harland an announcer in the states would have said and with no regard for Humanity and Sam Decker stepped up to that moment Z as a player think about all the number of times in the backyard when you took shots like that yeah for the win yeah for the win counting down you’re right and he just said that he said I stepped up he was so calm cool collect nothing thing rattled s DEA I love what he said you know that was Matt Morgan shot he’s made it over and over again but the attention that he draw and then to kick it out winning is what matters there’s AR a little bit you know eyes closed and uh not you know they’re falling short but what a fantastic game I’ve got to get take my hat off to them they were down and I and I thought at a point out and they grinded it back and with 9.1 seconds on the clock they still have a good look that is an organization that is in a good place with the head coach that was voted Coach of the Year Aaron Ry runner up in the MVP voting the stamp that they put on the British basketball league Z the way they play it is never out they are never out of a game they never say die they just keep coming back and they did it again tonight fantastic that that pickup of Aaron Ry was huge they offse and the guys that they picked up they kept mac o Jack who you know was the most improved player fantastic move by him so I would love to see what they do next season I just hats off them I really have enjoyed the cheser Phoenix one of my favorite teams of the British basketball league I’ve commentated the whole season and you know they’re disappointed as hard broke breaking of course it is um and Ben Thomas comes over and already congrat the guys two gentlemen fantastic coach and I know he’s going to be upset on their feet here in the 02 as the hometown team wins the title their regular season record 33 and three they make it to the semifinals of the Euro Cup something a British team had not done until now and now they come back despite the disappointment of losing in the trophy final they come back and get out a tough win see it would have been easy for them say we’re just a bad match up with chester they just got us again the same kind of formula but this time they rose up and they said no not this time we’re not going down like that and when it counted most Sam Decker the veteran stepped up and drills the game winner well I think not only that short is the plays before it right it’s Tariq philli on the defensive end the grittiness the real understanding of defense wins championships yes you need the Sam DEA to hit that shot but really there was multiple times that Tariq Phillip was in their face he ended up having I think four or five steals um but yeah a wild game um and everything we talked about what we talked this game up at the start of the of the of the cast of the TV program we said hey this is a great mix you know the intensity they both hate each other oh it made fantastic TV and beautiful game and I’m just so proud that uh this has happened and and a great EX of Bri basketball if you weren’t a fan you definitely are now or you just don’t like basketball what a way to bring down the curtain on this season as the two best teams go toe-to-toe to the final seconds of the game and in the end it is the London lions by way of Sam Decker the former MVP taking a pass from the current MVP to hit a three to ISAC yeah these are beautiful shots bosic hugs his team and you can see the chemistry between those those guys and London Lions it’s a long season 17 points your MVP from the London Lions number seven Sam that’s Sam Decker Christen as the MVP of these finals he’ll take the trophy from Kira Noki of Molton the Golden Balls 17 points 10 rebounds and four assists from that first quarter he meant business we saw him get to the rim a drive and then obviously that three and and I think Obie Soo said it best when Sam Decker’s healthy and and in Rhythm and floow is not to be messed with unstoppable here we go the big moment Aaron Raiden the CEO of the British basketball league will do the honors and it’ll be Jordan Taylor Captain here it is beautiful new [Applause] [Music] [Applause] Trophy and the Flames go up the confetti comes down here’s the moment they’re all been waiting for Jordan Taylor to do the honors congratulations London Lions champions of the playoffs of [Applause] 2024 fantastic the Lions get it done in 02 not far away from the copper box their home and this may be their new home because they put on an absolute Stellar show as they were able to hold off the chesher Phoenix a t a team that came in could have fold it up early did not came back got it to a tie ball game and if it were not for the sharp shooting skills of one Sam Decker we may be still be playing in overtime as it stands the London Lions claim the title for the second year in a row they are the champions as we send it back court side Janette quat coach Rob pastro and Obie zoko to AIA thank you so much of course this is the end of the season but when you think about it Obie wow what a way for London lines to salvage it as well for them this is magical I definitely saw those guys I saw some n creeping in there that in at the end but the guy’s done a terrific job you see the scenes here the fans are here shout out to both sides I think the Phoenix they’ve had an amazing season and you can see how much it means to them coach rob you know you know what it’s like to win a trophy it sets you up it makes you get ready for the next season yeah you know listen the pressure was all on them and we talked about that before the game but when it came to the fourth quarter you could see the pressure free throws three pointers missed sure but they had Sam Decker and Sam Decker made the shot that he needed to make to win the game well we’re break it all down for you on the other side of this we’re going to have plenty more reaction as well here from the winners and the losers too see you on the other [Music] [Music] [Applause] side e e e e [Music] [Applause] so we’re back and we have new playoff Champions it is the London l or 2024 playoff Champions Sam DEA with the clutch coach Rob this was today one of those games you knew it was going to be an instant classic from the third through to the fourth we knew something special was on I think the quick timeout from coach Thomas Early in the third I think it was 5841 from then on Chester really had it and they had him worried at times especially with the easy misses that they missed but London had just enough at the end to pull through what an atmosphere and it was it was really interesting just looking and seeing how many misses there were and every time a player got the ball you thought he’s got to land you’ve got to net this and they didn’t but then when Sam DEA did he did it well he did you know and and I think today’s shows there were two opponents uh that were in um the game that were very deserving the two teams that were meant to be there they fought all the way down to the last the last shot of the game pretty much yeah and it was a magical performance and when you think about zanda you think about his season this is such a good way for him to regain a level of confidence and know that he is the guy when he needs to be well it’s been a tough season for him we talked about it a lot the injuries and we talked about that he didn’t play in the playoff final last year so maybe something to prove today he wanted to get in on the action when you’re playing in this big arena in this atmosphere it’s special no matter who you are and you could see that he really Rose to the occasion today yeah and you know and when you think about someone like Sam DEA when you think about his presence on the court it’s enough to really raise this team they they’re going to play because Sam’s on the court yeah I mean you don’t come across players like Sam very often me and Coach we were speaking about it absolutely talented guy um and when he’s on form every coach on the planet would love to have him on their team so you know seeing him get back to his normal self love it okay well we’re going to have a quick chat with big Coach P buich I could see you in the background coach the coach this is so lovely to see and and I guess if we give you if we give you a microphone here coach tell us tell us tell us what this means today to see your team come out there and do what they did it must feel pretty special uh it is extremely special especially um seeing th those emotions come out it was long season unbelievable season and ends on the best possible way yeah and you think about some of the players today you had to really manage it game management was key but then passion also got involved as well and that’s key to make sure that they go through and and get that win I mean we are playing for trophy so for championship trophy so you know everybody got to put everything on the floor um I’m glad that we we scored three more points um but yeah overall great great game um I couldn’t be more happier and proud of my team coach when you think about the season tell me how this season rates for you now especially with a win like this uh I mean we set some uh very high standards and hopefully that you know we can we can all of those standards and also not just for us for everybody in the British basketball league this this league deserved this final it was unbelievable basketball Chester great team talented um you know so I I’m I’m really not just them but I’m saying credit to to to the brtish basketball league and and we’re going to try to push that more coach you took a Decker out of the game you didn’t seem happy when you took him out it’s a challenge with this roster on who to play at the end of the game with so much talent but you brought him back in you took the big guy off the floor tell what you were thinking on that last possession where Decker hits the three I mean Sam came out because he was very long um I know it’s it’s a dicey timing 3 minutes to the end but it came out good so we we got a we made some rotations today with a small ball lineup on the end they were Hitting Some Trees um going inside easily the end we couldn’t maximize the the paint points in in the second half like somebody put the lid over there a little bit but um you know we we made when when it was most important I got one question you’ve won a lot you’ve won a lot where does this rank amongst all of the things all of the silver wear that you’ve got where does this rank for you it’s a different side the last is uh you know I I I always repeat that before cuz I want as a player mostly the last is um you know proof of that you you know last and consistency so maybe that’s one should be the you know favorite one and I guess this is your first season of course in the British basketball league have you enjoyed your experience so far oh I did I I really enjoyed the group you know not just players the the staff Performance Group the management team management you know we had we had so much fun um and I I think you know everybody could see that throughout the season and I’m sad a little bit is is done Le have to finish I’m sure you be back soon I’m sure you’ll be absolutely back very soon coach it’s been great to have you here thank you so much you so much thank you so much that’s coach vich there with his team the London Lions the playoff Champions and I guess just want to get some final thoughts from both of you wow what what a season we’ve kept office Something Beautiful coach for what a season uh the the level of talent keeps going up and up in this league and I think this was what it was all about the both coach bad suned up pretty well the league deserved this game today and Obie for you I mean having come back a little while ago coming back last year and you know to where the league has gotten to today it’s absolutely terrific um basketball’s growing in England much more to come well much more to come indeed and what season it has been and we cap it off with a fantastic instant classic with the London Lions your playoff champions for 2024 and a massive shout out for everybody that has made the British basketball league what it is everybody here everybody in our production Center as well in eling it’s been absolutely fantastic we’ve enjoyed it we hope you’ve enjoyed it and we’ll see you next season it all starts here welcome to a brand new season it’s going to be unbeatable running the floor for the jab oh I love a good dunk Fest O Holy alley 500 victory for the great Paul James oh that’s Inc my gosh I love it what’s happened here we got a kid on the court he just wants to play too my gosh incredible thank you Rob panra is infuriated he doesn’t like that call one bit ho ho Hoops seasons greetings it has all come down to this this is the British Basketball League trophy final wow what a finish the Quincy REO wow oh my goodness and in 2024 the cheser Phoenix will raise the trophy be brave the wait is over the stars have assembled it’s the 2024 British Basketball League All Star oh oh my goodness here we go forget the Sunday roast the main course is being served up from the O2 will it be London or will it be chesher we are underway Here Comes Matt Morgan does he have the numbers he has the speed Matt Morgan has been Sensational laquincy inside oh and throw down yeah look at this the pick the roll on the how about this Showtime oh he took this personally Jack we knew it was going to get Fiery in testy and it has certainly lived up to that Decker yes Decker to time wham bam thank you Sam e e e