2011–12 British Basketball League season
Encyclopedia
The 2011–12 season is the 25th campaign of the British Basketball League
since the league's establishment in 1987. This season features 11 teams competing, with Durham Wildcats
appearing in their first campaign after election from EBL Division 1
, whilst the League will not feature Worthing Thunder
, who stepped down to the EBL, or Essex Pirates
following their withdrawal just two weeks prior to the season starting due to the loss of a major sponsor. There was also uncertainty regarding the participation of reigning champions Mersey Tigers, who had to postpone their first game due to off-court problems and operational issues.
Newcastle Eagles
opened the season with an 85-63 victory over Northern rivals Glasgow Rocks in the BBL Trophy
, on September 30, 2011. The Championship regular season didn't commence until mid-October, whilst the initial stages of the Trophy and BBL Cup
were played out prior to the Championship beginning. The season will close with the Play-off Grand Final scheduled for May 12, 2012, at its traditional home, the National Indoor Arena
in Birmingham
.
Newcastle advance as they scored 16 points more than the Rocks over the two legs.
Group 3
Group 2
Group 4
British Basketball League
The British Basketball League, often abbreviated to the BBL, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy....
since the league's establishment in 1987. This season features 11 teams competing, with Durham Wildcats
Durham Wildcats
Durham Wildcats is a basketball team based in County Durham, England. Established in 2005, the club has enjoyed a rapid rise through the English Basketball League system with three promotions in the past three seasons...
appearing in their first campaign after election from EBL Division 1
English Basketball League
The English Basketball League is a semi-professional and amateur basketball league in England. It forms the second-tier of competition below the professional British Basketball League....
, whilst the League will not feature Worthing Thunder
Worthing Thunder
Worthing Thunder is a basketball team from Worthing, England. Founded in 1999, until recently they competed in the top-tier British Basketball League, having previously having dominated the lower leagues in recent years, winning back-to-back English Basketball League Division One titles in 2006 and...
, who stepped down to the EBL, or Essex Pirates
Essex Pirates
Essex Pirates is currently inactive British Basketball League team from Southend-on-Sea, in the county of Essex. They were founded in 2009 and play their home games at the Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre...
following their withdrawal just two weeks prior to the season starting due to the loss of a major sponsor. There was also uncertainty regarding the participation of reigning champions Mersey Tigers, who had to postpone their first game due to off-court problems and operational issues.
Newcastle Eagles
Newcastle Eagles
Newcastle Eagles is a British Basketball League team from Newcastle upon Tyne. Since 2010 they have played all home games at the 3,000 capacity Sport Central arena at Northumbria University in the city...
opened the season with an 85-63 victory over Northern rivals Glasgow Rocks in the BBL Trophy
BBL Trophy
The BBL Trophy is one of three cup competitions operated by the British Basketball League. The competition begins with a regional group format and comprises the BBL clubs divided into four regional qualifying groups of three...
, on September 30, 2011. The Championship regular season didn't commence until mid-October, whilst the initial stages of the Trophy and BBL Cup
BBL Cup
The BBL Cup is one of two peripheral competitions operated by the British Basketball League during the regular season, the other being the BBL Trophy...
were played out prior to the Championship beginning. The season will close with the Play-off Grand Final scheduled for May 12, 2012, at its traditional home, the National Indoor Arena
National Indoor Arena
The National Indoor Arena is a large indoor arena and is owned by the NEC Group. It is situated in central Birmingham, England and was opened in 1991, as the largest indoor arena at the time in the UK...
in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
.
Teams
| Team | City/Area | Arena | Capacity | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheshire Jets Cheshire Jets The Cheshire Jets are a British professional basketball team based in the city of Chester, in Cheshire, England. Formerly known as the Chester Jets, their home court is the Northgate Arena and they play in the top-tier British Basketball League.... |
Chester Chester Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the... |
Northgate Arena Northgate Arena Northgate Arena is an arena and leisure centre complex in Chester, England. Built in the 1970s on the site of the Chester Northgate railway station, Northgate Arena includes swimming pools, a gymnasium, several sports halls and a sauna. The main sports hall is also used for toy and train, antique,... |
1,300 | 4th |
| Durham Wildcats Durham Wildcats Durham Wildcats is a basketball team based in County Durham, England. Established in 2005, the club has enjoyed a rapid rise through the English Basketball League system with three promotions in the past three seasons... |
Durham Durham Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county... |
Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre | 1,200 | New |
| Glasgow Rocks | Glasgow Glasgow Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands... |
Kelvin Hall Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena The Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena is located within the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, Scotland. It has hosted many athletics competitions including the 1990 European Athletics Indoor Championships and the Aviva International Match since 1988.- History :... |
1,200 | 6th |
| Guildford Heat Guildford Heat Guildford Heat is a basketball club based in Guildford, England that currently play in the British Basketball League. Heat play their home games at the brand-new Surrey Sports Park and was formed in 2005 by fans of former BBL franchise Thames Valley Tigers, who folded during the same year... |
Guildford Guildford Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region... |
Surrey Sports Park | 1,000 | 7th |
| Leicester Riders Leicester Riders The Leicester Riders, officially known as the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders for sponsorship reasons, is a British professional basketball team that play in the British Basketball League... |
Leicester Leicester Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest... |
John Sandford Centre | 800 | 8th |
| Mersey Tigers | Liverpool Liverpool Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880... |
Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park | 750 | 1st |
| Milton Keynes Lions Milton Keynes Lions The Milton Keynes Lions, officially called Prestige Homes Milton Keynes Lions due to sponsorship, is a basketball team which represents Milton Keynes in the British Basketball League, the top level men's basketball league in the United Kingdom. The franchise’s only trophy success to-date is the BBL... |
Milton Keynes Milton Keynes Milton Keynes , sometimes abbreviated MK, is a large town in Buckinghamshire, in the south east of England, about north-west of London. It is the administrative centre of the Borough of Milton Keynes... |
Lions Arena | 1,400 | 10th |
| Newcastle Eagles Newcastle Eagles Newcastle Eagles is a British Basketball League team from Newcastle upon Tyne. Since 2010 they have played all home games at the 3,000 capacity Sport Central arena at Northumbria University in the city... |
Newcastle upon Tyne Newcastle upon Tyne Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne... |
Sport Central, Northumbria University | 3,000 | 2nd |
| Plymouth Raiders Plymouth Raiders The Plymouth Raiders, officially called UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders for sponsorship reasons, is South-west England's leading basketball team. Based in the city of Plymouth, they play their home games at the Pavilions arena and have competed in the top-tier British Basketball League since 2004... |
Plymouth Plymouth Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound... |
Pavilions Plymouth Pavilions Plymouth Pavilions is an entertainment and sports complex in Plymouth, Devon, England. It has a Fun Pool, Ice Rink, Live Cafe and arena. The arena is used for corporate hire and as an entertainment venue.... |
1,480 | 5th |
| Sheffield Sharks Sheffield Sharks Sheffield Sharks, officially named One Health Sheffield Sharks due to sponsorship, is a professional basketball team from the city of Sheffield, England. Sharks currently play in the British Basketball League and play their home fixtures at English Institute of Sport - Sheffield... |
Sheffield Sheffield Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely... |
The EIS | 1,200 | 3rd |
| Worcester Wolves Worcester Wolves Worcester Wolves is a basketball team from the city of Worcester which plays in the British Basketball League. The Wolves currently play at in the 800-seat capacity Sports Hall of the University of Worcester, although they are to use the new Worcester Arena as their home venue once completed in... |
Worcester Worcester The City of Worcester, commonly known as Worcester, , is a city and county town of Worcestershire in the West Midlands of England. Worcester is situated some southwest of Birmingham and north of Gloucester, and has an approximate population of 94,000 people. The River Severn runs through the... |
University of Worcester University of Worcester The University of Worcester is a British university, based in Worcester, Worcestershire, England. It was granted university status in September 2005.-History:... |
800 | 9th |
Notable occurances
- Durham WildcatsDurham WildcatsDurham Wildcats is a basketball team based in County Durham, England. Established in 2005, the club has enjoyed a rapid rise through the English Basketball League system with three promotions in the past three seasons...
were the newest additions to the BBL having been elected to join from EBL Division 1English Basketball LeagueThe English Basketball League is a semi-professional and amateur basketball league in England. It forms the second-tier of competition below the professional British Basketball League....
. - Pre-season transfer speculation centred around the possibilty of Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles LakersThe Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
star Ron ArtestRon ArtestMetta World Peace is an American professional basketball player and rapper who is currently with the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. World Peace gained a reputation as one of the league's premier defenders as he won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2004...
signing for Cheshire JetsCheshire JetsThe Cheshire Jets are a British professional basketball team based in the city of Chester, in Cheshire, England. Formerly known as the Chester Jets, their home court is the Northgate Arena and they play in the top-tier British Basketball League....
,during the NBA lockout, after announcing on his TwitterTwitterTwitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
account that he was in discussions with the club, who had reportedly offered him shares in the franchise. Other reports also linked Artest to Glasgow Rocks. - After ten years at Cheshire Jets, Paul Smith stepped down from his position as Head Coach prior to the season opening, leaving Assistant John Lavery to take the reigns.
- The Mersey Tigers franchise changed ownership following Liverpool-based businessman Steve Brookfield's acquisition from former owner Gary Townsend, who set-up the club in 2007.
- Essex PiratesEssex PiratesEssex Pirates is currently inactive British Basketball League team from Southend-on-Sea, in the county of Essex. They were founded in 2009 and play their home games at the Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre...
officially withdrew from the BBL on September 16, just two weeks before the start of the season. The loss of a major sponsor was a major factor, and it was revealed the owners even looked at reolcating to Crystal Palace NSC ArenaCrystal Palace National Sports CentreThe National Sports Centre at Crystal Palace in south London, England is a large sports centre and athletics stadium. It was opened in 1964 in Crystal Palace Park, close to the site of the former Crystal Palace, in the former parkland and also usurping part of the former grand prix circuit.It was...
in LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
before the decision was made to disband. - Mersey Tigers were forced to postpone their first game of the season amid fears of the franchise's imminent collapse. Off-court problems and operational issues were later cited as the reason for postponement, but the franchise eventually fielded a team and resumed play the following week.
- A sell-out 1,200 crowd at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre saw Durham play host to their first BBL game, losing 66-88 to local rivals Newcastle Eagles.
- An incident between Guildford HeatGuildford HeatGuildford Heat is a basketball club based in Guildford, England that currently play in the British Basketball League. Heat play their home games at the brand-new Surrey Sports Park and was formed in 2005 by fans of former BBL franchise Thames Valley Tigers, who folded during the same year...
's Martelle McLemore and Plymouth RaidersPlymouth RaidersThe Plymouth Raiders, officially called UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders for sponsorship reasons, is South-west England's leading basketball team. Based in the city of Plymouth, they play their home games at the Pavilions arena and have competed in the top-tier British Basketball League since 2004...
mascotMascotThe term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
Foxy during a game on October 22, was the subject of a League inquiry after the mascot entered the court and pulled McLemore's shorts down during a break in play. Following the League's inquiry, Plymouth Raiders were given a "small fine" whilst McLemore was awarded with 5 penalty points for his involvement by pushing the Raiders mascot.
Standings
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | L | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Newcastle Eagles Newcastle Eagles Newcastle Eagles is a British Basketball League team from Newcastle upon Tyne. Since 2010 they have played all home games at the 3,000 capacity Sport Central arena at Northumbria University in the city... |
12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2. Glasgow Rocks | 10 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0.714 |
| 3. Leicester Riders Leicester Riders The Leicester Riders, officially known as the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders for sponsorship reasons, is a British professional basketball team that play in the British Basketball League... |
8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 4. Worcester Wolves Worcester Wolves Worcester Wolves is a basketball team from the city of Worcester which plays in the British Basketball League. The Wolves currently play at in the 800-seat capacity Sports Hall of the University of Worcester, although they are to use the new Worcester Arena as their home venue once completed in... |
8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0.666 |
| 5. Plymouth Raiders Plymouth Raiders The Plymouth Raiders, officially called UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders for sponsorship reasons, is South-west England's leading basketball team. Based in the city of Plymouth, they play their home games at the Pavilions arena and have competed in the top-tier British Basketball League since 2004... |
4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0.500 |
| 6. Cheshire Jets Cheshire Jets The Cheshire Jets are a British professional basketball team based in the city of Chester, in Cheshire, England. Formerly known as the Chester Jets, their home court is the Northgate Arena and they play in the top-tier British Basketball League.... |
4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0.400 |
| 7. Milton Keynes Lions Milton Keynes Lions The Milton Keynes Lions, officially called Prestige Homes Milton Keynes Lions due to sponsorship, is a basketball team which represents Milton Keynes in the British Basketball League, the top level men's basketball league in the United Kingdom. The franchise’s only trophy success to-date is the BBL... |
4 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0.333 |
| 8. Sheffield Sharks Sheffield Sharks Sheffield Sharks, officially named One Health Sheffield Sharks due to sponsorship, is a professional basketball team from the city of Sheffield, England. Sharks currently play in the British Basketball League and play their home fixtures at English Institute of Sport - Sheffield... |
4 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0.333 |
| 9. Mersey Tigers | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0.250 |
| 10. Durham Wildcats Durham Wildcats Durham Wildcats is a basketball team based in County Durham, England. Established in 2005, the club has enjoyed a rapid rise through the English Basketball League system with three promotions in the past three seasons... |
2 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0.200 |
| 11. Guildford Heat Guildford Heat Guildford Heat is a basketball club based in Guildford, England that currently play in the British Basketball League. Heat play their home games at the brand-new Surrey Sports Park and was formed in 2005 by fans of former BBL franchise Thames Valley Tigers, who folded during the same year... |
0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0.000 |
| = Qualifies for the Play-offs |
1st round
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals First Leg
Final
Group Stage
Group 1| Team | Pts | Pld | W | L | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Newcastle Eagles Newcastle Eagles Newcastle Eagles is a British Basketball League team from Newcastle upon Tyne. Since 2010 they have played all home games at the 3,000 capacity Sport Central arena at Northumbria University in the city... |
6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0.750 |
| 2.Glasgow Rocks | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0.750 |
| 3.Durham Wildcats Durham Wildcats Durham Wildcats is a basketball team based in County Durham, England. Established in 2005, the club has enjoyed a rapid rise through the English Basketball League system with three promotions in the past three seasons... |
0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0.000 |
Newcastle advance as they scored 16 points more than the Rocks over the two legs.
Group 3
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | L | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Milton Keynes Lions Milton Keynes Lions The Milton Keynes Lions, officially called Prestige Homes Milton Keynes Lions due to sponsorship, is a basketball team which represents Milton Keynes in the British Basketball League, the top level men's basketball league in the United Kingdom. The franchise’s only trophy success to-date is the BBL... |
6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0.750 |
| 2.Leicester Riders Leicester Riders The Leicester Riders, officially known as the Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders for sponsorship reasons, is a British professional basketball team that play in the British Basketball League... |
6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0.750 |
| 3.London Leopards London Leopards The BA London Leopards is a British basketball team who competes in the English Basketball League Division 1. The team was established in 1997 as Ware Fire, but following the demise and eventual closure of the former British Basketball League franchise Essex Leopards in 2003, a supporters group... |
0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0.000 |
Group 2
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | L | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Sheffield Sharks Sheffield Sharks Sheffield Sharks, officially named One Health Sheffield Sharks due to sponsorship, is a professional basketball team from the city of Sheffield, England. Sharks currently play in the British Basketball League and play their home fixtures at English Institute of Sport - Sheffield... |
8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2.Mersey Tigers | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0.250 |
| 3.Cheshire Jets Cheshire Jets The Cheshire Jets are a British professional basketball team based in the city of Chester, in Cheshire, England. Formerly known as the Chester Jets, their home court is the Northgate Arena and they play in the top-tier British Basketball League.... |
2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0.250 |
Group 4
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | L | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Plymouth Raiders Plymouth Raiders The Plymouth Raiders, officially called UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders for sponsorship reasons, is South-west England's leading basketball team. Based in the city of Plymouth, they play their home games at the Pavilions arena and have competed in the top-tier British Basketball League since 2004... |
6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0.750 |
| 2.Worcester Wolves Worcester Wolves Worcester Wolves is a basketball team from the city of Worcester which plays in the British Basketball League. The Wolves currently play at in the 800-seat capacity Sports Hall of the University of Worcester, although they are to use the new Worcester Arena as their home venue once completed in... |
6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0.750 |
| 3.Guildford Heat Guildford Heat Guildford Heat is a basketball club based in Guildford, England that currently play in the British Basketball League. Heat play their home games at the brand-new Surrey Sports Park and was formed in 2005 by fans of former BBL franchise Thames Valley Tigers, who folded during the same year... |
0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0.000 |