Durham Wildcats’ BBL season ended on Sunday with cheers and smiles before a packed auditorium, at their second-leg playoffs game against the high-flying Newcastle Eagles.
Eagles started the game with a blitz which saw them move 15 points into the lead in the first five minutes, and they were still ten points ahead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter, however, saw the tables turned. Eagles seemed unable to find the basket, whilst the Wildcats, their captain and play-maker Ralph Bucci dominant, scored almost without reply, at one point pulling out a four-point lead.
Eagles steadied and came back at the Wildcats, but at half-time Durham were still only four points adrift. Eagles were carrying a 22-point advantage from the first leg, but euphoric Wildcats fans still dared to hope: could the Wildcats pull off the impossible and make it into the semi-finals?
The third quarter was evenly balanced. Wildcats found it difficult to break down the Eagles’ solid, well-drilled defence, and the game became an exciting contrast of styles, as Wildcats resisted the steady Eagles’ pressure, striking back with high-speed counter-attacks.
Wildcats’ MVP Danny Huffor was electric, ending the game with 28 points and four assists. Only in the fourth quarter did the Eagles, this year’s BBL winners, manage to impose themselves on the game, and they steadily pulled ahead, running out 97-82 winners.
None of this phased the Wildcats’ supporters. Led by the Aycliffe KDanz Cheerleaders, they en-couraged their team throughout, gave them a standing ovation at the end, and then stayed to applaud the celebrations and photo-shoot afterwards. Wildcats fans were aware that this has been their best campaign ever, and the final focus was for an even-better next season at the Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.
Team photo with guests including Town Mayor Barbara Clare and County Council leader Simon Henig.
