Kings Division 3 Team Finished Up as Runner Up at National Championships

The recently crowned Champions of British Wheelchair Basketball’s Division Three South West, The  Thames Valley Kings were in action this Weekend at the National Championship Finals to fight to become overall divisional winners. The Thames Valley Kings were in Semi-Final Action on Saturday afternoon against Sheffield Steelers 4 for a place in Sunday’s final against the winners of the second semi-final between Tees Valley Titans 3 and Sussex Bears.

In Saturday’s Semi-Final, Kings established a  good lead in the first quarter against the Steelers, 14-8, as they capitalized on some great turnovers from steals and continued to, applied the pressure in the 2nd, to open a 25-16 lead at halftime. Steelers started the 2nd half with resurgence and pulled the game back to 37-33 at the end of the 3rd. A high octane 4th quarter was on the cards, with Kings just nudging ahead, to hold off for the win, 50-45.  The Barker brothers Liam and Reece both picking up 19 points in the game.

In Sunday’s Final. Tees Valley Titans took an early lead by seven-points in the first quarter which ended 18-11.  Kings attempted to fight back but it was Titans who continued to extend their lead taking the score to  35-23. In the 3rd, The Kings came alive, as they attempted to pull the game back and did at one point bring it back to within a basket – the quarter ending 43-39 to Titans. Titans held on in the 4th and won by ten points, ending 53-43. Liam Barker was the top scorer for Kings with 18 points.

Kings Player Denise Drammis stated after the final

“What a season for our Division 3 team! From the bottom of the league only two seasons ago to league winners this season and then to crown it off as silver medal winners at the Championship playoffs for the whole country!”