1998–99 British Basketball League season

1998–99 British Basketball League season
League	British Basketball League
Sport	Basketball
Roll of Honour
BBL champions	Sheffield Sharks
Play Off's champions	London Towers
National Cup champions	Sheffield Sharks
BBL Trophy champions	Manchester Giants

The 1998–1999 BBL season was the 12th season of the British Basketball League, known as the Budweiser Basketball League for sponsorship reasons, since its establishment in 1987. The regular season commenced on September 12, 1998, and ended on April 4, 1999, with a total of 13 teams competing, playing 36 games each. The post-season Play-offs began on April 9 and culminated in the end-of-season finale on May 2 at Wembley Arena.

Start-up franchise Edinburgh Rocks became the League's newest member following their addition as the 14th franchise during the pre-season and the first Scottish team to appear in the top-flight since Glasgow Rangers' participation in the 1988–89 season. The League membership was reduced to 13 teams shortly after following the merger of the London Towers and Crystal Palace franchises, whilst another notable change was the uprooting of Watford Royals, who moved to the Bletchley Centre in Milton Keynes to become the Milton Keynes Lions.^[1]

Sheffield Sharks were a dominant force throughout the season, winning the Sainsbury's Classic Cola Cup whilst storming the Budweiser League and taking the Championship to complete the "Double". The campaign came down to a memorable final game where Sharks claimed the title from rivals Manchester Giants with the last shot of the game, winning 85-87 to take the crown. Their successful run fell short in the Play-offs however, managing only a third-placed finish thus allowing a new-look London Towers to claim the title. Manchester Giants also ended a decade-long drought of silverware with their win in the uni-ball Trophy.

No teams participated in European competition after Birmingham Bullets and Greater London Leopards both declined to compete in the Saporta Cup.

Notable occurrences

• Edinburgh Rocks were officially announced as the League's newest franchise on 4 June 1998 - though the Rocks nickname was revealed at a later date - with former NBA player Jim Brandon signed as the teams head coach.^[2]
• The London Towers and Crystal Palace teams merged their organisations during the close-season, with the new franchise continuing to use the London Towers branding and utilising the home venues of both clubs, Crystal Palace National Sports Centre and Wembley Arena for home games.^[3]
• Watford Royals owner Vince Macaulay announced on 19 June that he was moving the franchise to Milton Keynes due to a lack of suitable venues for home games in Watford,^[4] after plans for a new 3,000-capacity arena in Watford, to be built in partnership with Watford F.C., fell through.^[5]
• The Budweiser League game between Chester Jets and Derby Storm on 31 January 1999 was abandoned after 30 seconds due to a court invasion from both sets of players following a fight between Chester's Sean Hartley and Derby's England international Yorick Williams. Media reports claim it was the most serious incident in the history of competitive basketball in Britain.^[6][7] Four players were initially ejected from the game, including Williams and Hartley, whilst Chester physio Alison Troughtman was taken to hospital, suffering from a suspected broken-jaw.^[8] It was later announced that Williams was suspended for the remainder of the regular season, whilst Derby's Rico Alderson was banned until the following season.^[9]
• The Southern All-Stars were victorious in the annual All-Star Game against their Northern rivals, with a 156-158 win at Newcastle Arena on February 27. Edinburgh's Ted Berry was the game-high scorer with 29 points and was named as the games Most Valuable Player.^[10]
• Manchester Giants claimed their first piece of silverware in franchise history after defeating Derby in the uni-ball Trophy Final on 13 March. Giants won 90-69, and the 21-point gap between the two teams was the biggest winning margin in the event's history.^[11]
• Furthering their ongoing disciplinary issues, it was revealed in April that Derby Storm's American player Maurice Robinson was issued with a one-year suspension for failing to supply a complete urine sample during a Sports Council doping control test.^[12]
• The Budweiser League came down to a memorable final game between title-chasing rivals Sheffield Sharks and Manchester Giants in-front of more than 11,000 fans at the MEN Arena. With both teams tied on points at the top of the League table, and tied at 85-85 with just 3.5 seconds left in the game, Terrell Myers took the pass and his 18 ft buzzer-beating jump-shot claimed the title for Sheffield.^[13]
• London Towers were crowned as Budweiser League Play-off champions on 2 May, after defeating Thames Valley Tigers 82-71 at Wembley Arena. Towers' Malcolm Leak lead the games scoring, posting 20 points.^[14]
• Nottingham-based businessman Craig Bown purchased the Birmingham Bullets franchise at the end of the season for a reported six-figure sum.^[15]

Budweiser League Championship (Tier 1)

Final standings

Team	Pts	Pld	W	L	Percentage
1. Sheffield Sharks	62	36	31	5	0.861
2. Manchester Giants	60	36	30	6	0.833
3. London Towers	48	36	24	12	0.666
4. Thames Valley Tigers	44	36	22	14	0.611
5. Newcastle Eagles	42	36	21	15	0.583
6. Derby Storm	42	36	21	15	0.583
7. Birmingham Bullets	42	36	21	15	0.583
8. Greater London Leopards	38	36	19	17	0.527
9. Edinburgh Rocks	24	36	12	24	0.333
10. Milton Keynes Lions	20	36	10	26	0.277
11. Chester Jets	20	36	10	26	0.277
12. Leicester Riders	18	36	9	27	0.250
13. Worthing Bears	8	36	4	32	0.111

	= League winners
	= Qualified for the Play-offs

The Play-offs

Quarter-finals

(1) Sheffield Sharks vs. (8) Greater London Leopards

April 11, 1999

Greater London Leopards

83–76

Sheffield Sharks

Brentwood Centre, Brentwood

April 14, 1999

Sheffield Sharks

100–82

Greater London Leopards

Ponds Forge, Sheffield

April 16, 1999

Sheffield Sharks	75–68	Greater London Leopards
Sheffield wins series, 2–1

Wembley Arena, London

(2) Manchester Giants vs. (7) Birmingham Bullets

April 11, 1999

Birmingham Bullets

82–74

Manchester Giants

National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham

April 15, 1999

Manchester Giants

78–71

Birmingham Bullets

Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester

April 17, 1999

Manchester Giants	90–77	Birmingham Bullets
Manchester wins series, 2–1

Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester

(3) London Towers vs. (5) Newcastle Eagles

April 9, 1999

Newcastle Eagles

78–76

London Towers

Telewest Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne

April 15, 1999

London Towers

91–76

Newcastle Eagles

Wembley Arena, London

April 17, 1999

London Towers	87–68	Newcastle Eagles
London wins series, 2–1

Wembley Arena, London

(4) Thames Valley Tigers vs. (6) Derby Storm

April 10, 1999

Derby Storm

87–91

Thames Valley Tigers

Storm Arena, Derby

April 14, 1999

Thames Valley Tigers	114–93	Derby Storm
Thames Valley wins series, 2–0

Bracknell Leisure Centre, Bracknell

Semi-finals

May 1, 1999

Sheffield Sharks

78–85

London Towers

Wembley Arena, London

May 1, 1999

Manchester Giants

76–79

Thames Valley Tigers

Wembley Arena, London

Third-place game

May 2, 1999

Sheffield Sharks

98–88

Manchester Giants

Wembley Arena, London

Final

May 2, 1999 6.30pm GMT

Report

London Towers	82–71	Thames Valley Tigers
Pts: Malcolm Leak 20, Jason Siemon, Danny Lewis (MVP), Martin Henlan, Randy Duck		Pts: Bryan Balser 22, Mark Jackson, Stewart Clark, Lee Walker

Wembley Arena, London Attendance: 9,000 Towers coachLino Frattin Tigers coach Paul James

National League Division 1 (Tier 2)

Final standings

Team	Pts	Pld	W	L	Percentage
1. Solent Stars *	42	26	21	5	0.808
2. Plymouth Raiders	42	26	21	5	0.808
3. Guildford Pumas	38	25	19	6	0.760
4. Teesside Mohawks	38	26	19	7	0.731
5. London Towers B	34	26	17	9	0.654
6. Mid-Sussex Magic	32	26	16	10	0.615
7. Cardiff Clippers	28	26	14	12	0.538
8. Coventry Crusaders	24	26	12	14	0.462
9. Westminster Warriors	18	26	9	17	0.346
10. Stevenage Rebels	18	26	9	17	0.346
11. Oxford Devils	18	26	9	17	0.346
12. Solihull Chiefs	14	26	7	19	0.269
13. Cardiff Phoenix	12	25	6	19	0.240
14. Brixton TopCats	4	26	2	24	0.077

	= League winners
	= Qualified for the Play-offs

Champions by virtue of head to head record*
Play Off Final - Plymouth 71 Teeside 66

National League Division 2 (Tier 3)

Final standings

Team	Pts	Pld	W	L	Percentage
1. Birmingham Bullets B	44	26	22	4	0.846
2. Taunton Tigers	42	26	21	5	0.808
3. Manchester Attitude	36	26	18	8	0.692
4. Reading Rockets	34	26	17	9	0.654
5. Liverpool Atac	32	25	16	9	0.640
6. Chessington Wildcats	32	26	16	10	0.615
7.Northampton 89'ers	30	26	15	11	0.577
8. Wandsworth Bulls	24	26	12	14	0.462
9. Flintshire Flyers	24	26	12	14	0.462
10. Slough Chargers	16	26	8	18	0.308
11. Swindon Sonics	14	25	7	18	0.280
12. Bournemouth Dolphins	14	26	7	19	0.269
13. Portsmouth Pirates	10	26	5	21	0.192
14. Thames Valley Tigers B	10	26	5	21	0.192

	= League winners
	= Qualified for the Play-offs

Play Off Final - Taunton 99 Birmingham 77

National League Division 3 (Tier 4)

Final standings

Team	Pts	Pld	W	L	Percentage
1. Kingston upon Hull Icebergs	36	20	18	2	0.900
2. North London Lords	34	20	17	3	0.850
3. NW London Wolverines	24	20	12	8	0.600
4. Barking & Dagenham Thunder	24	20	12	8	0.600
5. Mansfield Express	22	20	11	9	0.550
6. Ware Fire	22	20	11	9	0.550
7.Derbyshire Arrows	18	20	9	11	0.450
8. Cambridge	16	20	8	12	0.400
9. Stoke Stealers	12	20	6	14	0.300
10. Sutton	8	20	4	16	0.200
11. Doncaster Eagles	4	20	2	18	0.100

	= League winners
	= Qualified for the Play-offs

Play Off Final - North London 75 Kingston upon Hull 58

Sainsbury's Classic Cola National Cup

Last 16

Team 1	Team 2	Score
Teeside Mohawks	Sheffield Sharks	83-91
Derby Storm	Worthing Bears	103-82
Manchester Giants	Edinburgh Rocks	90-70
Thames Valley Tigers	London Towers	95-83
Plymouth Raiders	Greater London Leopards	68-100
Stevenage Rebels	Birmingham Bullets	63-106
Leicester Riders	Chester Jets	89-92
Newcastle Eagles	Milton Keynes Lions	77-69

Quarter Finals

Team 1	Team 2	Score
Sheffield Sharks	Derby Storm	87-76
Manchester Giants	Thames Valley Tigers	87-100
Greater London Leopards	Birmingham Bullets	90-88
Chester Jets	Newcastle Eagles	72-93

Semi Finals

Team 1	Team 2	Score
Sheffield Sharks	Thames Valley Tigers	78-66
Greater London Leopards	Newcastle Eagles	98-95 OT

Final

10 January 1999[16]

Sheffield Sharks	67–65	Greater London Leopards
Pts: Terrell Myers (MVP) 29, Travis Conlan 16, Todd Cauthorn, Wilbur Johnson, Ian McKinney		Pts: Tim Moore 25, Rashod Johnson 15, Robert Youngblood 15, Eric Burks, Stedroy Baker

Sheffield Arena Attendance: ? Sharks coach Chris Finch Leopards coach Billy Mims

uni-ball Trophy

Group stage

Group A

Team	Pts	Pld	W	L	Percent
1.Sheffield Sharks	12	7	6	1	0.857
2.Derby Storm	10	7	5	2	0.714
3.Manchester Giants	10	7	5	2	0.714
4.Chester Jets	8	7	4	3	0.571
5.Leicester Riders	8	7	4	3	0.571
6.Milton Keynes Lions	2	7	1	6	0.142
7.Worthing Bears	0	7	0	7	0.000

Group B

Team	Pts	Pld	W	L	Percent
1.London Towers	8	4	4	0	1.000
2.Birmingham Bullets	6	4	3	1	0.750
3.Newcastle Eagles	4	4	2	2	0.500
4.Greater London Leopards	2	4	1	3	0.250
5.Edinburgh Rocks	0	4	0	4	0.000

Quarter-finals

January 27, 1999

Birmingham Bullets

62–96

Manchester Giants

Aston Villa Leisure Centre, Birmingham

January 27, 1999

Derby Storm

109–102

Newcastle Eagles

Storm Arena, Derby

January 27, 1999

London Towers

61–62

Leicester Riders

Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, London

January 27, 1999

Sheffield Sharks

82–75

Chester Jets

Ponds Forge, Sheffield

Semi-finals

Derby Storm vs. Leicester Riders

February 10, 1999

Derby Storm

88–75

Leicester Riders

Storm Arena, Derby

February 18, 1999

Leicester Riders	93–90	Derby Storm
Derby wins on aggregate, 178–168

Granby Halls, Leicester

Sheffield Sharks vs. Manchester Giants

February 10, 1999

Sheffield Sharks

77–81

Manchester Giants

Sheffield Arena, Sheffield

February 17, 1999

Manchester Giants	93–88	Sheffield Sharks
Manchester wins on aggregate, 174–165

Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester

Final

March 13, 1999 7.00pm GMT

Report

Manchester Giants	90–69	Derby Storm
Pts: Tony Dorsey 28, Ronnie Baker (MVP) 21, John White 16, Makeba Perry 11		Pts: Joel Burns 20, Nate Reinking 16, Maurice Robinson 14, Martin Ford, John Tresvant

National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham Attendance: 6,500 Giants coach Nick Nurse Storm coach Bob Donewald, Jr.

Dairylea Dunkers All-Star Game

February 27, 1999 7.05pm GMT

Report

Northern All-Stars	156–158	Southern All-Stars
Pts: Ted Berry, 29		Pts: Malcolm Leak/Jason Siemon, 24

Telewest Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne

Northern All-Stars Player Team Tony Dorsey Manchester Giants Terrell Myers Sheffield Sharks Billy Singleton Leicester Riders Nick Browning Chester Jets Ralph Blalock Newcastle Eagles JaRon Boone Leicester Riders Wilbur Johnson Sheffield Sharks Travis Conlon Sheffield Sharks Tony Holley Manchester Giants Ted Berry Edinburgh Rocks Chris Flite Newcastle Eagles Corey Jackson Newcastle Eagles Coach Nick Nurse Manchester Giants

Southern All-Stars Player Team John McCord Thames Valley Tigers Jon Gaines Worthing Bears Nigel Lloyd Birmingham Bullets Tony Windless Milton Keynes Lions Jason Siemon Thames Valley Tigers Reggie Kirk Birmingham Bullets Casey Arena Thames Valley Tigers Danny Lewis London Towers Malcolm Leak London Towers Robert Youngblood Greater London Leopards Eric Burks Greater London Leopards Dwayne Morton London Towers Coach Billy Mims Greater London Leopards

Statistics leaders

Category	Player	Stat
Points per game	John White (Manchester Giants)	26.09
Rebounds per game	Rico Alderson (Derby Storm)	11.84
Assists per game	Prentice McGruder (Chester Jets)	8.38
Steals per game	Casey Arena (Thames Valley Tigers)	3.34
Blocks per game	James Doyle (Leicester Riders)	2.56

Seasonal awards

• Most Valuable Player: Terrell Myers (Sheffield Sharks)
• Coach of the Year: Chris Finch (Sheffield Sharks)
• All-Star First Team:
  • Terrell Myers (Sheffield Sharks)
  • John White (Manchester Giants)
  • Tony Dorsey (Manchester Giants)
  • John McCord (Thames Valley Tigers)
  • Nigel Lloyd (Birmingham Bullets)
• All-Star Second Team:
  • Tim Moore (Greater London Leopards)
  • Travis Conlan (Sheffield Sharks)
  • Ralph Blalock (Newcastle Eagles)
  • Casey Arena (Thames Valley Tigers)
  • Danny Lewis (London Towers)

References

1. "Royals reign in Watford is over". News Shopper. 1998. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
2. "Oddballs are here". The Herald. 1998. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
3. "Sport in brief: Basketball". Daily Mail. 1998. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
4. "Royals reign in Watford is over". News Shopper. 1998. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
5. "London Lions History". LondonLionsBasketball.co.uk. 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
6. Richard Taylor (February 1, 1999). "Fight ends game after 30 seconds". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
7. Richard Taylor (February 1, 1999). "Mayhem on court". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
8. Richard Taylor (February 2, 1999). "Police probe assault on Chester's physio". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
9. "News February 27". BritBall. 1999. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
10. "South take 1999 All-Star Game". BritBall. 1999. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
11. Richard Taylor (March 15, 1999). "First title secured by Giants". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
12. Richard Taylor (April 10, 1999). "Robinson faced with one year suspension". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
13. Richard Taylor (April 3, 1999). "Myers in moment of magic". London: The Independent. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
14. "Towers are crowned at Wembley". BritBall. 1999. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
15. "Bown budgeting to make Bullets high-calibre weapon". Birmingham Post. 1999. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
16. "Nicholas Harling. "Towers' strength in defence keeps grip on trophy." Times [London, England] 3 Mar. 1997". The Times Digital Archive.