A redemption season for the Newcastle Eagles: Their way to the semi-finals

From missing the playoffs two years ago to the semi-finals this year. How the Tyneside Basketball Team bounced back.

The basketball team from Newcastle is regarded as one of the most successful in the British Basketball League. The Eagles have won the league seven times so far, making them the league’s record title holders.

However, the past two years have not been characterised by glamour and glory. While they won the league in the 2020-21 season, they didn’t even reach the playoffs the following season.

The 2022-23 season was not characterised by success either, but the team narrowly made the playoffs in eighth place.

“It’s about rebuilding, but it’s also about being patient,” said Newcastle Eagle captain Darius Defoe in an interview at the end of last season.

And this outlook is paying off so far. The Tyneside team is currently in the semi-finals of the playoffs after finishing the main round in 6th place.

There they will face the London Lions, last year’s champions, on 10 May. This duel has already taken place five times this season, with the Lions winning four of them.

Both teams won their quarter-finals 2-0, with the Eagles beating the Caledonia Gladiators and the Lions defeating the Surrey Scorchers.

The winner of the semi-final will face either Cheshire Phoenix or Sheffield Sharks in the final.

The London Lions are favourites ahead of the semi-final, but the Tyneside team should not be underestimated.

All in all, this season is a clear improvement on the last two seasons and should put a smile on the faces of Eagles fans.