Cheshire Phoenix will play for silverware when they take on the London Lions in the BBL Trophy final on Sunday (20th March).
The Nix travel to the Emirates Arena in Glasgow looking for their first piece of silverware since 2018.
All eyes on the final 🏆 pic.twitter.com/eK4ftiL0mS
— Cheshire Phoenix (@CheshireNix) March 13, 2022
They have not won the BBL trophy for 18 years after retaining it for four consecutive years between 2001 and 2004.
They face the holders, London Lions, who tasted victory in the competition for the first time last season.
The final will be played in front of a record crowd of almost 6500 people.
Cheshire reached the final after a stunning second leg comeback against Glasgow Rocks in the semi-final.
🏆🔵PHOENIX TOP PLAYS
The #BBLTrophy Final is almost here!
👀Check out the top plays from @CheshireNix’s semifinal win over @GlasgowRocks below.
🎟Get your tickets for Sunday’s Final here.
👉https://t.co/Zt4q51duIq#BritishBasketball🎥 @J_T_93 pic.twitter.com/Vrcm1ZFIq3
— British Basketball League (@BBLofficial) March 15, 2022
Phoenix went into the second leg facing a 12-point deficit after defeat in Glasgow.
However, they came out on top with a 115-72 victory at the EPSV.
Levi Bradley, Teddy Okereafor and Namon Wright all hit over 20 points for the Nix while guards Okereafor and Larry Austin ran the show with eight assists apiece.
In total, Cheshire racked up an impressive 15 made three-point shots and a massive 52 points in the paint as they romped to a 43-point win.
The Lions’ route to the final was less dramatic, recording back to back wins against the Bristol Flyers in the semis.
The two sides met in the league last Sunday (13th March) in a preview of the final.
The Lions edged a close game 89-97 at the EPSV, despite a weakened Cheshire side pushing them all the way.
Okereafor continued his good form with 22 points and nine assists.
London struggled to deal with the Cheshire captain’s drives to the basket, something he will look to exploit in Glasgow.
Cheshire hurt the Lions on the break, as they did against the Rocks, managing 14 fast break points.
However, a balanced attack from the Lions proved too much for Phoenix in the final stretch.
Six London players recorded points totals in double figures.
Lethal three-point shooter Dirk Williams notched 15 points and Cheshire will see him as a key threat in the final.
Williams is averaging 19.4 points per game in the league, the second best total in the division.
He has made 43 three-point shots this season, only two players have more.
Cheshire will hope they have a full squad to select a team from.
Top scorer Namon Wright sat out the loss to London while forward Noah Dickerson hobbled off late in the game.
A few tickets are still available for the Trophy Finals which will also see London Lions face off against the Sevenoaks Suns in the women’s final.
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