The British Basketball League season for 2014 concluded with Newcastle Eagles sitting pretty not just on top of the league, but for the entire year overall as well. They still have challengers in Worcester Wolves and Cheshire Phoenix, but those two teams face tall orders at present.

In a dress rehearsal for the BBL Cup Final next month, the Eagles ran out 88-69 victors against Glasgow Rocks at the Emirates Arena, meaning that they finish 2014 with the best league record in a calendar year in BBL history: 32 wins and just two defeats. They have won 18 straight games since the opening night of this campaign, remain unbeaten on the road, and sit atop the BBL, seeking to defend the title that they won last season. 

Charles Smith haunted the Rocks once more with 19 points to lead the victors, with Darius Defoe adding a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds. Danny Huffor had 16 for the Rocks. 

The closest team to the Eagles is still the Worcester Wolves, as they shrugged off the absence of star centre Robert Thurman to collect a thrilling 86-82 road victory against Leicester Riders. 

Chavis Holmes [20 points] and Alex Owumi [17 points] combined for 37 points in the win.  

They then left it late to shake off Leeds Force at the Worcester Arena, prevailing 68-58 courtesy of 18 points, including crucial baskets, for Jamal Williams. 

Sheffield Sharks continue to pressure the top four in the table as they won their two road games over the weekend. They beat Surrey United 60-53 in Guildford thanks to 21 points from Nick Lewis. 

The Sharks then dominated London Lions in what was supposed to be a closely fought battle between two teams fighting for a home playoff spot. 

Instead Sheffield raced out to a 24-12 first lead, en route to an 81-61 win in the capital. Allen Payne hit 22 points to lead the winners who have now won 51 of the 63 league meetings between the Lions in the last two decades. 

Surrey United’s weekend didn’t get any better as they threw away a double digit lead to eventually lose 91-77 to Manchester Giants. 

Callum Jones and Mike Bernard both had 19 points for the Giants, the latter adding 11 rebounds to his statline. 

A stunning flurry of late three-pointers saw Bristol Flyers snatch an 86-91 victory on the road at Plymouth Raiders, meaning they have beaten their South West rivals three times this season and have posted back-to-back league wins to move back into the playoff places.
Dwayne Lautier-Ogunleye led the way with 21 points, while Captain Greg Streete posted a double-double of 20 and 11 rebounds. Flyers shot 54 percent from long range with six different players hitting three-pointers on the night as they pile more misery on a Plymouth Raiders side struggling down the foot of the table despite a strong squad on paper.