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EABL Recap – 9 March and playoff preview

The EABL regular season is now completed, with the playoff picture set as we look to crown a champion for 2021/22.

Four games took place this past week to wrap things up, setting the scene for what is sure to be a thrilling few weeks of knockout out basketball.

Here’s a recap of all the action, and each score is clickable to access the top scorers/box score where available.

There’s also a look forward to the playoffs and the route each team must navigate to win it all.

The Canterbury Academy 85-80 Copleston High School

Canterbury consigned Copleston to bottom spot in the South conference to end the season following an 85-80 win.

In what has been a tough campaign for both programmes, Emmanuel Jolaoluwa ended his season with a match-winning performance for the hosts, he dropped 37 points.

Tyreese Perry-Huggins was the standout for Copleston, he closed on 26 points.

James Watt College-BMet 69-54 The Sheffield College

James Watt closed their season with a win as they beat playoff bound Sheffield 69-54.

After beginning the campaign 4-0, the West Midlands programme went 2-8 the rest of the way to finish one spot outside of the post season places.

Jonathan Ntumba top scored for JWC with 19 points, as Declan Kom led the way for Sheffield, he had 18.

Itchen College 92-72 John Madejski Academy

In a straight shootout to decide the #3 and #4 seeds in the Southern conference, Itchen came out on top 92-72.

Leslie Okafor (27pts) went toe-to-toe with JMA’s Isaac Round (29pts), though it was the Itchen man who would finish the game the happier of the two.

Damilare Adedeji (17pts) and LA Casinillo (16pts) both played well for the hosts as former Player of the Week Kivuvu Live had 18 points for JMA.

Thursday – Barking Abbey 60-57 City of London Academy

The final game of the EABL regular season went the way of Barking Abbey as the former winners finished with a narrow 60-57 victory against CoLA.

Aided by 11 points from centre Cem Uner and 10 points apiece from Stephen and Peter Asante, the East London side now take a three win streak into the post season.

CoLA close with a 3-9 record, with Max Coupe’s 17 points setting the pace for the visitors.

Playoff preview

The North’s #1 seeds Charnwood have a home tie to open the playoffs against South #4 seeds John Madejski Academy, whilst #1 counterparts Oaklands host The Sheffield College.

#2 seeds in the South Barking take on Derby College Trailblazers, whilst co-champions from 2019/20 Myerscough are at home against South #3 seeds Itchen College.

The winner of Charnwood JMA will meet the victor of Barking and Derby, and either Oaklands or Sheffield will match up with Myerscough or Itchen.

For all games, the higher seed will retain home court advantage.

The Elite Eights are scheduled for 16 March, with the Final Fours following on 23 March.

The EABL playoff final is on Wednesday 30 March, at Manchester’s National Basketball Performance Centre.

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