The 1998–99 BBL season was the 12th season of the British Basketball League, known as the Budweiser Basketball League for sponsorship reasons, since its establishment in 1987. The regular season commenced on September 12, 1998, and ended on April 4, 1999, with a total of 13 teams competing, playing 36 games each. The post-season Play-offs began on April 9 and culminated in the end-of-season finale on May 2 at Wembley Arena.
Sheffield Sharks were a dominant force throughout the season, winning the Sainsbury's Classic Cola Cup whilst storming the Budweiser League and taking the Championship to complete the "Double". The campaign came down to a memorable final game where Sharks claimed the title from rivals Manchester Giants with the last shot of the game, winning 85–87 to take the crown. Their successful run fell short in the play-offs however, managing only a third-placed finish thus allowing a new-look London Towers to claim the title. Manchester Giants also ended a decade-long drought of silverware with their win in the uni-ball Trophy.
Edinburgh Rocks were officially announced as the League's newest franchise on 4 June 1998 – though the Rocks nickname was revealed at a later date – with former NBA player Jim Brandon signed as the team's head coach.[2]
Watford Royals owner Vince Macaulay announced on 19 June that he was moving the franchise to Milton Keynes due to a lack of suitable venues for home games in Watford,[3] after plans for a new 3,000-capacity arena in Watford, to be built in partnership with Watford F.C., fell through.[4]
The Budweiser League game between Chester Jets and Derby Storm on 31 January 1999 was abandoned after 30 seconds due to a court invasion from both sets of players following a fight between Chester's Sean Hartley and Derby's England internationalYorick Williams. Media reports claim it was the most serious incident in the history of competitive basketball in Britain.[5][6] Four players were initially ejected from the game, including Williams and Hartley, whilst Chester physio Alison Troughtman was taken to hospital, suffering from a suspected broken-jaw.[7] It was later announced that Williams was suspended for the remainder of the regular season, whilst Derby's Rico Alderson was banned until the following season.[8]
The Southern All-Stars were victorious in the annual All-Star Game against their Northern rivals, with a 156–158 win at Newcastle Arena on February 27. Edinburgh's Ted Berry was the game-high scorer with 29 points and was named as the games Most Valuable Player.[9]
Manchester Giants claimed their first piece of silverware in franchise history after defeating Derby in the uni-ball Trophy Final on 13 March. Giants won 90–69, and the 21-point gap between the two teams was the biggest winning margin in the event's history.[10]
Furthering their ongoing disciplinary issues, it was revealed in April that Derby Storm's American player Maurice Robinson was issued with a one-year suspension for failing to supply a complete urine sample during a Sports Council doping control test.[11]
The Budweiser League came down to a memorable final game between title-chasing rivals Sheffield Sharks and Manchester Giants in-front of more than 11,000 fans at the MEN Arena. With both teams tied on points at the top of the League table, and tied at 85–85 with just 3.5 seconds left in the game, Terrell Myers took the pass and his 18 ft buzzer-beating jump-shot claimed the title for Sheffield.[12]
London Towers were crowned as Budweiser League Play-off champions on 2 May, after defeating Thames Valley Tigers 82–71 at Wembley Arena. Towers' Malcolm Leak lead the game's scoring, posting 20 points.[13]
Nottingham-based businessman Craig Bown purchased the Birmingham Bullets franchise at the end of the season for a reported six-figure sum.[14]
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The 1998 99 BBL season was the 12th season of the British Basketball League known as the Budweiser Basketball League for sponsorship reasons since its establishment in 1987 The regular season commenced on September 12 1998 and ended on April 4 1999 with a total of 13 teams competing playing 36 games each The post season Play offs began on April 9 and culminated in the end of season finale on May 2 at Wembley Arena 1998 99 BBL seasonLeagueBritish Basketball LeagueSportBasketballRoll of HonourBBL championsSheffield SharksPlay Off s championsLondon TowersNational Cup championsSheffield SharksBBL Trophy championsManchester GiantsBritish Basketball League seasons 1997 981999 2000 Start up franchise Edinburgh Rocks became the League s newest member following their addition as the 14th franchise during the pre season and the first Scottish team to appear in the top flight since Glasgow Rangers participation in the 1988 89 season The League membership was reduced to 13 teams shortly after following the merger of the London Towers and Crystal Palace franchises whilst another notable change was the uprooting of Watford Royals who moved to the Bletchley Centre in Milton Keynes to become the Milton Keynes Lions 1 Sheffield Sharks were a dominant force throughout the season winning the Sainsbury s Classic Cola Cup whilst storming the Budweiser League and taking the Championship to complete the Double The campaign came down to a memorable final game where Sharks claimed the title from rivals Manchester Giants with the last shot of the game winning 85 87 to take the crown Their successful run fell short in the play offs however managing only a third placed finish thus allowing a new look London Towers to claim the title Manchester Giants also ended a decade long drought of silverware with their win in the uni ball Trophy No teams participated in European competition after Birmingham Bullets and Greater London Leopards both declined to compete in the Saporta Cup Contents 1 Notable occurrences 2 Budweiser League Championship Tier 1 2 1 Final standings 2 2 The play offs 2 2 1 Quarter finals 2 2 2 Semi finals 2 2 3 Third place game 2 2 4 Final 3 National League Division 1 Tier 2 3 1 Final standings 3 2 Playoffs 4 National League Division 2 Tier 3 4 1 Final standings 4 2 Playoffs 5 National League Division 3 Tier 4 5 1 Final standings 5 2 Playoffs 6 Sainsbury s Classic Cola National Cup 6 1 Last 16 6 2 Quarter finals 6 3 Semi finals 6 4 Final 7 uni ball Trophy 7 1 Group stage 7 2 Quarter finals 7 3 Semi finals 7 4 Final 8 Dairylea Dunkers All Star Game 9 Statistics leaders 10 Seasonal awards 11 ReferencesNotable occurrences EditEdinburgh Rocks were officially announced as the League s newest franchise on 4 June 1998 though the Rocks nickname was revealed at a later date with former NBA player Jim Brandon signed as the team s head coach 2 The London Towers and Crystal Palace teams merged their organisations during the close season with the new franchise continuing to use the London Towers branding and utilising the home venues of both clubs Crystal Palace National Sports Centre and Wembley Arena for home games citation needed Watford Royals owner Vince Macaulay announced on 19 June that he was moving the franchise to Milton Keynes due to a lack of suitable venues for home games in Watford 3 after plans for a new 3 000 capacity arena in Watford to be built in partnership with Watford F C fell through 4 The Budweiser League game between Chester Jets and Derby Storm on 31 January 1999 was abandoned after 30 seconds due to a court invasion from both sets of players following a fight between Chester s Sean Hartley and Derby s England international Yorick Williams Media reports claim it was the most serious incident in the history of competitive basketball in Britain 5 6 Four players were initially ejected from the game including Williams and Hartley whilst Chester physio Alison Troughtman was taken to hospital suffering from a suspected broken jaw 7 It was later announced that Williams was suspended for the remainder of the regular season whilst Derby s Rico Alderson was banned until the following season 8 The Southern All Stars were victorious in the annual All Star Game against their Northern rivals with a 156 158 win at Newcastle Arena on February 27 Edinburgh s Ted Berry was the game high scorer with 29 points and was named as the games Most Valuable Player 9 Manchester Giants claimed their first piece of silverware in franchise history after defeating Derby in the uni ball Trophy Final on 13 March Giants won 90 69 and the 21 point gap between the two teams was the biggest winning margin in the event s history 10 Furthering their ongoing disciplinary issues it was revealed in April that Derby Storm s American player Maurice Robinson was issued with a one year suspension for failing to supply a complete urine sample during a Sports Council doping control test 11 The Budweiser League came down to a memorable final game between title chasing rivals Sheffield Sharks and Manchester Giants in front of more than 11 000 fans at the MEN Arena With both teams tied on points at the top of the League table and tied at 85 85 with just 3 5 seconds left in the game Terrell Myers took the pass and his 18 ft buzzer beating jump shot claimed the title for Sheffield 12 London Towers were crowned as Budweiser League Play off champions on 2 May after defeating Thames Valley Tigers 82 71 at Wembley Arena Towers Malcolm Leak lead the game s scoring posting 20 points 13 Nottingham based businessman Craig Bown purchased the Birmingham Bullets franchise at the end of the season for a reported six figure sum 14 Budweiser League Championship Tier 1 EditFinal standings Edit Pos Team Pld W L Pts1 Sheffield Sharks 36 31 5 0 861 622 Manchester Giants 36 30 6 0 833 603 London Towers 36 24 12 0 667 484 Thames Valley Tigers 36 22 14 0 611 445 Newcastle Eagles 36 21 15 0 583 426 Derby Storm 36 21 15 0 583 427 Birmingham Bullets 36 21 15 0 583 428 Greater London Leopards 36 19 17 0 527 389 Edinburgh Rocks 36 12 24 0 333 2410 Milton Keynes Lions 36 10 26 0 278 2011 Chester Jets 36 10 26 0 278 2012 Leicester Riders 36 9 27 0 250 1813 Worthing Bears 36 4 32 0 111 8 League winners Qualified for the play offs The play offs Edit Quarter finals Edit 1 Sheffield Sharks vs 8 Greater London Leopards April 11 1999Greater London Leopards 83 76 Sheffield SharksBrentwood Centre Brentwood April 14 1999Sheffield Sharks 100 82 Greater London LeopardsPonds Forge Sheffield April 16 1999Sheffield Sharks 75 68 Greater London LeopardsSheffield wins series 2 1Wembley Arena London 2 Manchester Giants vs 7 Birmingham Bullets April 11 1999Birmingham Bullets 82 74 Manchester GiantsNational Exhibition Centre Birmingham April 15 1999Manchester Giants 78 71 Birmingham BulletsManchester Evening News Arena Manchester April 17 1999Manchester Giants 90 77 Birmingham BulletsManchester wins series 2 1Manchester Evening News Arena Manchester 3 London Towers vs 5 Newcastle Eagles April 9 1999Newcastle Eagles 78 76 London TowersTelewest Arena Newcastle upon Tyne April 15 1999London Towers 91 76 Newcastle EaglesWembley Arena London April 17 1999London Towers 87 68 Newcastle EaglesLondon wins series 2 1Wembley Arena London 4 Thames Valley Tigers vs 6 Derby Storm April 10 1999Derby Storm 87 91 Thames Valley TigersStorm Arena Derby April 14 1999Thames Valley Tigers 114 93 Derby StormThames Valley wins series 2 0Bracknell Leisure Centre Bracknell Semi finals Edit May 1 1999Sheffield Sharks 78 85 London TowersWembley Arena London May 1 1999Manchester Giants 76 79 Thames Valley TigersWembley Arena London Third place game Edit May 2 1999Sheffield Sharks 98 88 Manchester GiantsWembley Arena London Final Edit May 2 19996 30pm GMTReportLondon Towers 82 71 Thames Valley TigersPts Malcolm Leak 20 Jason Siemon Danny Lewis MVP Martin Henlan Randy Duck Pts Bryan Balser 22 Mark Jackson Stewart Clark Lee WalkerWembley Arena LondonAttendance 9 000Towers coachLino Frattin Tigers coach Paul JamesNational League Division 1 Tier 2 EditFinal standings Edit Pos Team Pld W L Pts1 Solent Stars 26 21 5 0 808 422 Plymouth Raiders 26 21 5 0 808 423 Guildford Pumas 26 19 7 0 731 384 Teesside Mohawks 26 19 7 0 731 385 London Towers II 26 17 9 0 654 346 Mid Sussex Magic 26 16 10 0 615 327 Cardiff Clippers 26 14 12 0 538 288 Coventry Crusaders 26 12 14 0 463 249 Westminster Warriors 26 9 17 0 346 1810 Stevenage Rebels 26 9 17 0 346 1811 Oxford Devils 26 9 17 0 346 1812 Solihull Chiefs 26 7 19 0 269 1413 Cardiff Phoenix 26 6 20 0 231 1214 Brixton TopCats 26 2 24 0 077 4 League winners Qualified for the play offsChampions by virtue of head to head record Playoffs Edit Quarter finals Teesside Mohawks 89 76 London Towers II Plymouth Raiders 111 101 Cardiff Clippers Guildford Pumas 90 79 Mid Sussex Magic Solent Stars 84 79 Coventry Crusaders Semi finals Plymouth Raiders 93 75 Guildford Pumas Solent Stars 92 113 Teesside Mohawks Final Plymouth Raiders 71 66 Teesside MohawksGuildford SpectrumNational League Division 2 Tier 3 EditFinal standings Edit Pos Team Pld W L Pts1 Birmingham Bullets II 26 22 4 0 846 442 Taunton Tigers 26 21 5 0 808 423 City of Manchester Attitude 26 18 8 0 693 364 Reading Rockets 26 17 9 0 654 345 Liverpool Atac 26 16 10 0 615 326 Chessington Wildcats 26 16 10 0 615 327 Northampton 89ers 26 15 11 0 577 308 Wandsworth Bulls 26 12 14 0 463 249 Flintshire Flyers 26 12 14 0 463 2410 Slough Chargers 26 8 18 0 308 1611 Swindon Sonics 26 7 19 0 269 1412 Bournemouth Dolphins 26 7 19 0 269 1413 Portsmouth Pirates 26 5 21 0 192 1014 Thames Valley Tigers II 26 5 21 0 192 10 League winners Qualified for the play offs Playoffs Edit Quarter finals Birmingham Bullets B 89 73 Wandsworth Bulls Taunton Tigers 100 80 Northampton 89ers Manchester Attitude 90 72 Chessington Wildcats Reading Rockets 79 91 Liverpool Atac Semi finals Taunton Tigers 80 59 Manchester Attitude Birmingham Bullets B 76 71 Liverpool Atac Final Birmingham Bullets B 79 99 Taunton TigersGuildford SpectrumNational League Division 3 Tier 4 EditFinal standings Edit Pos Team Pld W L Pts1 Kingston upon Hull Icebergs 20 18 2 0 900 362 North London Lords 20 17 3 0 850 343 NW London Wolverines 20 12 8 0 600 244 Barking amp Dag Erkenwald 20 12 8 0 600 245 Mansfield Express 20 11 9 0 550 226 Ware Fire 20 11 9 0 550 227 Derbyshire Arrows 20 9 11 0 450 188 Cambridge 20 8 12 0 400 169 Stoke Stealers 20 6 14 0 300 1210 Sutton 20 4 16 0 200 811 Doncaster Eagles 20 2 18 0 100 4 League winners Qualified for the play offs Playoffs Edit Quarter finals NW London Wolverines 85 64 Ware Fire North London Lords 82 71 Derbyshire Arrows Hull Icebergs 80 72 Cambridge Barking amp Dagenham Erkenwald 85 76 Mansfield Express Semi finals Hull Icebergs 90 88 Barking amp Dagenham Erkenwald North London Lords 96 90 NW London Wolverines Final Hull Icebergs 58 75 North London LordsGuildford SpectrumSainsbury s Classic Cola National Cup EditLast 16 Edit Team 1 Team 2 ScoreTeesside Mohawks Sheffield Sharks 83 91Derby Storm Worthing Bears 103 82Manchester Giants Edinburgh Rocks 90 70Thames Valley Tigers London Towers 95 83Plymouth Raiders Greater London Leopards 68 100Stevenage Rebels Birmingham Bullets 63 106Leicester Riders Chester Jets 89 92Newcastle Eagles Milton Keynes Lions 77 69Quarter finals Edit Team 1 Team 2 ScoreSheffield Sharks Derby Storm 87 76Manchester Giants Thames Valley Tigers 87 100Greater London Leopards Birmingham Bullets 90 88Chester Jets Newcastle Eagles 72 93Semi finals Edit Team 1 Team 2 ScoreSheffield Sharks Thames Valley Tigers 78 66Greater London Leopards Newcastle Eagles 98 95 OTFinal Edit 10 January 1999 15 Sheffield Sharks 67 65 Greater London LeopardsPts Terrell Myers MVP 29 Travis Conlan 16 Todd Cauthorn Wilbur Johnson Ian McKinney Pts Tim Moore 25 Rashod Johnson 15 Robert Youngblood 15 Eric Burks Stedroy BakerSheffield ArenaAttendance Sharks coach Chris Finch Leopards coach Billy Mimsuni ball Trophy EditGroup stage Edit Group A Team Pts Pld W L Percent1 Sheffield Sharks 12 7 6 1 0 8572 Derby Storm 10 7 5 2 0 7143 Manchester Giants 10 7 5 2 0 7144 Chester Jets 8 7 4 3 0 5715 Leicester Riders 8 7 4 3 0 5716 Milton Keynes Lions 2 7 1 6 0 1427 Worthing Bears 0 7 0 7 0 000 Group B Team Pts Pld W L Percent1 London Towers 8 4 4 0 1 0002 Birmingham Bullets 6 4 3 1 0 7503 Newcastle Eagles 4 4 2 2 0 5004 Greater London Leopards 2 4 1 3 0 2505 Edinburgh Rocks 0 4 0 4 0 000 Quarter finals Edit January 27 1999Birmingham Bullets 62 96 Manchester GiantsAston Villa Leisure Centre Birmingham January 27 1999Derby Storm 109 102 Newcastle EaglesStorm Arena Derby January 27 1999London Towers 61 62 Leicester RidersCrystal Palace National Sports Centre London January 27 1999Sheffield Sharks 82 75 Chester JetsPonds Forge Sheffield Semi finals Edit Derby Storm vs Leicester Riders February 10 1999Derby Storm 88 75 Leicester RidersStorm Arena Derby February 18 1999Leicester Riders 93 90 Derby StormDerby wins on aggregate 178 168Granby Halls Leicester Sheffield Sharks vs Manchester Giants February 10 1999Sheffield Sharks 77 81 Manchester GiantsSheffield Arena Sheffield February 17 1999Manchester Giants 93 88 Sheffield SharksManchester wins on aggregate 174 165Manchester Evening News Arena Manchester Final Edit March 13 19997 00pm GMTReportManchester Giants 90 69 Derby StormPts Tony Dorsey 28 Ronnie Baker MVP 21 John White 16 Makeba Perry 11 Pts Joel Burns 20 Nate Reinking 16 Maurice Robinson 14 Martin Ford John TresvantNational Exhibition Centre BirminghamAttendance 6 500 Giants coach Nick Nurse Storm coach Bob Donewald Jr Dairylea Dunkers All Star Game EditFebruary 27 19997 05pm GMTReportNorthern All Stars 156 158 Southern All StarsPts Ted Berry 29 Pts Malcolm Leak Jason Siemon 24Telewest Arena Newcastle upon Tyne Northern All Stars Player Team Tony Dorsey Manchester Giants Terrell Myers Sheffield Sharks Billy Singleton Leicester Riders Nick Browning Chester Jets Ralph Blalock Newcastle Eagles JaRon Boone Leicester Riders Wilbur Johnson Sheffield Sharks Travis Conlon Sheffield Sharks Tony Holley Manchester Giants Ted Berry Edinburgh Rocks Chris Flite Newcastle Eagles Corey Jackson Newcastle EaglesCoach Nick Nurse Manchester Giants Southern All Stars Player Team John McCord Thames Valley Tigers Jon Gaines Worthing Bears Nigel Lloyd Birmingham Bullets Tony Windless Milton Keynes Lions Jason Siemon Thames Valley Tigers Reggie Kirk Birmingham Bullets Casey Arena Thames Valley Tigers Danny Lewis London Towers Malcolm Leak London Towers Robert Youngblood Greater London Leopards Eric Burks Greater London Leopards Dwayne Morton London TowersCoach Billy Mims Greater London LeopardsStatistics leaders EditCategory Player StatPoints per game John White Manchester Giants 26 09Rebounds per game Rico Alderson Derby Storm 11 84Assists per game Prentice McGruder Chester Jets 8 38Steals per game Casey Arena Thames Valley Tigers 3 34Blocks per game James Doyle Leicester Riders 2 56Seasonal awards EditMost Valuable Player Terrell Myers Sheffield Sharks Coach of the Year Chris Finch Sheffield Sharks All Star First Team Terrell Myers Sheffield Sharks John White Manchester Giants Tony Dorsey Manchester Giants John McCord Thames Valley Tigers Nigel Lloyd Birmingham Bullets All Star Second Team Tim Moore Greater London Leopards Travis Conlan Sheffield Sharks Ralph Blalock Newcastle Eagles Casey Arena Thames Valley Tigers Danny Lewis London Towers References Edit Royals reign in Watford is over News Shopper 1998 Retrieved 2012 12 03 Oddballs are here The Herald 1998 Retrieved 2012 12 03 Royals reign in Watford is over News Shopper 1998 Retrieved 2012 12 03 London Lions History LondonLionsBasketball co uk 2012 Archived from the original on 2012 11 18 Retrieved 2012 12 03 Richard Taylor February 1 1999 Fight ends game after 30 seconds The Independent London Retrieved 2012 12 03 Richard Taylor February 1 1999 Mayhem on court The Independent London Archived from the original on March 5 2016 Retrieved 2012 12 03 Richard Taylor February 2 1999 Police probe assault on Chester s physio The Independent London Retrieved 2012 12 03 News February 27 BritBall 1999 Retrieved 2012 12 03 South take 1999 All Star Game BritBall 1999 Retrieved 2012 12 03 Richard Taylor March 15 1999 First title secured by Giants The Independent London Retrieved 2012 12 03 Richard Taylor April 10 1999 Robinson faced with one year suspension The Independent London Retrieved 2012 12 03 Richard Taylor April 3 1999 Myers in moment of magic The Independent London Retrieved 2012 12 03 Towers are crowned at Wembley BritBall 1999 Retrieved 2012 12 03 Bown budgeting to make Bullets high calibre weapon Birmingham Post 1999 Retrieved 2012 12 03 Nicholas Harling Towers strength in defence keeps grip on trophy Times London England 3 Mar 1997 The Times Digital Archive Archived from the original on 2016 04 30 Preceded by1997 98 season BBL seasons1998 99 Succeeded by1999 2000 season Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1998 99 British Basketball League season amp oldid 1130188676, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
