This week’s All-Star 5 is based exclusively on BBL Trophy first round games, led by a sensational performance from Marc Loving as Leicester Riders came through overtime alongside a sharpshooting duo from Cheshire Phoenix – amazingly, it’s the third week in a row that the Nix have had a pair of representatives in the weekly team, and it’s been five different players.
Marc Loving – Leicester Riders
Leicester prevailed through overtime to make the BBL Trophy quarter-finals behind a double-double from Marc Loving that leads to his third All-Star 5 appearance of the season, but first since week nine. Playing more than 42 minutes, he scored 32 points on 7-9 (77%) three-point shooting, with 13 rebounds and three assists. He hit four triples and 16 points in the second quarter as Riders led by double-figures, with much of his scoring done by half time, before coming up with a key offensive rebound and a pair of free-throws inside the final minute of the extra period to help seal it.
Maceo Jack – Cheshire Phoenix
A professional career-high scoring night from Maceo Jack was one of a number of big performances for Cheshire as they began their defence of the BBL Trophy, leading to his second All-Star 5 showing of the season as they poured in 129 points against NBL Division 1 side Nottingham Hoods. Jack shot 10-12 (83%) from the field and 6-7 (85%) from the three-point line on his way to 29 points in 24 minutes, with five rebounds and five assists, including eight points in two minutes as Nix poured in 44 in the first quarter, before he got the crowd on its feet with a thunderous dunk in the second half.
Jeremiah Bailey – Caledonia Gladiators
Gladiators made their progress in the BBL Trophy by beating Newcastle Eagles at Emirates Arena, and American forward Jeremiah Bailey was instrumental once again as he makes his sixth All-Star 5 appearance to lead all players in that regard. It was another double-double of 31 points and 12 rebounds, as he proved hard to handle all night by drawing eight fouls and going 10-11 (90%) from the free-throw line, also handing out six assists and nabbing two steals. As the teams traded big runs, Bailey had 14 points and five boards in the third quarter as Gladiators let a lead slip and then regained it, including eight in a 9-0 push that gave them a double-figure lead.
Jamell Anderson – Cheshire Phoenix
Playing against his hometown team, Nottingham, Great Britain international Jamell Anderson – a veteran of 14 BBL campaigns – hit a career high for points on Sunday, leading to his first All-Star 5 appearance since week four and third overall this season. He scored 30 points on 10-16 (62%) shooting and 5-9 (55%) from the three-point line – on a night when the Nix shot 21-40 (52%) from deep – adding four rebounds and four assists, and scoring 15 in the first quarter barrage that set them on their way to the second highest points total in club history.
Boban Jacdonmi – Surrey Scorchers
The only debutant in this week’s team, British big man Boban Jacdonmi has been key to Surrey’s recent improvement in form as they made the BBL Trophy quarter-finals with a comeback road win at Bristol Flyers. He finished with a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds in under 22 minutes off the bench, shooting 8-10 (80%) from the field and also blocking two shots, including nine points and seven boards in six minutes as Scorchers came back from a double-digit deficit with a 16-2 finish to the first half.
Off the bench: Tajh Green (Manchester Giants), Patrick Whelan (Leicester Riders), Patrick Tape (Caledonia Gladiators), Aaron Best (London Lions), Johde Campbell (Nottingham Hoods), Kipper Nichols (B. Braun Sheffield Sharks), Rahmon Fletcher (Manchester Giants).
