1998–99 British Basketball League season

The 1998–1999 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 British Basketball League season
LeagueBritish Basketball League
SportBasketball
Roll of Honour
BBL championsSheffield Sharks
Play Off's championsLondon Towers
National Cup championsSheffield Sharks
BBL Trophy championsManchester Giants

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.

Notable occurrences
  • 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]
  • 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.[3]
  • 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,[4] after plans for a new 3,000-capacity arena in Watford, to be built in partnership with Watford F.C., fell through.[5]
  • 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.[6][7] 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.[8] 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.[9]
  • 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.[10]
  • 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.[11]
  • 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.[12]
  • 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.[13]
  • 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 games scoring, posting 20 points.[14]
  • Nottingham-based businessman Craig Bown purchased the Birmingham Bullets franchise at the end of the season for a reported six-figure sum.[15]

Budweiser League Championship (Tier 1)

Final standings
PosTeamPldWL%Pts
1Sheffield Sharks 363150.86162
2Manchester Giants 363060.83360
3London Towers 3624120.66748
4Thames Valley Tigers 3622140.61144
5Newcastle Eagles 3621150.58342
6Derby Storm 3621150.58342
7Birmingham Bullets 3621150.58342
8Greater London Leopards 3619170.52738
9Edinburgh Rocks 3612240.33324
10Milton Keynes Lions 3610260.27820
11Chester Jets 3610260.27820
12Leicester Riders 369270.25018
13Worthing Bears 364320.1118
= League winners
= Qualified for the Play-offs

The Play-offs

Quarter-finals

(1) Sheffield Sharks vs. (8) Greater London Leopards

April 11, 1999
Greater London Leopards 83–76 Sheffield Sharks
Brentwood Centre, Brentwood
April 14, 1999
Sheffield Sharks 100–82 Greater London Leopards
April 16, 1999
Sheffield Sharks 75–68 Greater London Leopards
Sheffield wins series, 2–1

(2) Manchester Giants vs. (7) Birmingham Bullets

April 15, 1999
Manchester Giants 78–71 Birmingham Bullets
Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester
April 17, 1999
Manchester Giants 90–77 Birmingham Bullets
Manchester wins series, 2–1
Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester

(3) London Towers vs. (5) Newcastle Eagles

April 9, 1999
Newcastle Eagles 78–76 London Towers
Telewest Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
April 15, 1999
London Towers 91–76 Newcastle Eagles
April 17, 1999
London Towers 87–68 Newcastle Eagles
London wins series, 2–1

(4) Thames Valley Tigers vs. (6) Derby Storm

April 10, 1999
Derby Storm 87–91 Thames Valley Tigers
Storm Arena, Derby
April 14, 1999
Thames Valley Tigers 114–93 Derby Storm
Thames Valley wins series, 2–0

Semi-finals
May 1, 1999
Sheffield Sharks 78–85 London Towers

Third-place game
May 2, 1999
Sheffield Sharks 98–88 Manchester Giants

Final
May 2, 1999
6.30pm GMT
London Towers 82–71 Thames Valley Tigers
Pts: Malcolm Leak 20, Jason Siemon, Danny Lewis (MVP), Martin Henlan, Randy Duck Pts: Bryan Balser 22, Mark Jackson, Stewart Clark, Lee Walker
Wembley Arena, London
Attendance: 9,000
Towers coachLino Frattin
Tigers coach Paul James

National League Division 1 (Tier 2)

Final standings
PosTeamPldWL%Pts
1Solent Stars * 262150.80842
2Plymouth Raiders 262150.80842
3Guildford Pumas 261970.73138
4Teesside Mohawks 261970.73138
5London Towers II 261790.65434
6Mid-Sussex Magic 2616100.61532
7Cardiff Clippers 2614120.53828
8Coventry Crusaders 2612140.46324
9Westminster Warriors 269170.34618
10Stevenage Rebels 269170.34618
11Oxford Devils 269170.34618
12Solihull Chiefs 267190.26914
13Cardiff Phoenix 266200.23112
14Brixton TopCats 262240.0774
= League winners
= Qualified for the Play-offs

Champions by virtue of head to head record*
Play Off Final – Plymouth 71 Teesside 66

National League Division 2 (Tier 3)

Final standings
PosTeamPldWL%Pts
1Birmingham Bullets II 262240.84644
2Taunton Tigers 262150.80842
3City of Manchester Attitude 261880.69336
4Reading Rockets 261790.65434
5Liverpool Atac 2616100.61532
6Chessington Wildcats 2616100.61532
7Northampton 89ers 2615110.57730
8Wandsworth Bulls 2612140.46324
9Flintshire Flyers 2612140.46324
10Slough Chargers 268180.30816
11Swindon Sonics 267190.26914
12Bournemouth Dolphins 267190.26914
13Portsmouth Pirates 265210.19210
14Thames Valley Tigers II 265210.19210
= League winners
= Qualified for the Play-offs

Play Off Final – Taunton 99 Birmingham 77

National League Division 3 (Tier 4)

Final standings
PosTeamPldWL%Pts
1Kingston upon Hull Icebergs 201820.90036
2North London Lords 201730.85034
3NW London Wolverines 201280.60024
4Barking & Dag. Thunder 201280.60024
5Mansfield Express 201190.55022
6Ware Fire 201190.55022
7Derbyshire Arrows 209110.45018
8Cambridge 208120.40016
9Stoke Stealers 206140.30012
10Sutton 204160.2008
11Doncaster Eagles 202180.1004
= League winners
= Qualified for the Play-offs

Play Off Final – North London 75 Kingston upon Hull 58

Sainsbury's Classic Cola National Cup

Last 16
Team 1 Team 2 Score
Teesside MohawksSheffield Sharks83-91
Derby StormWorthing Bears103-82
Manchester GiantsEdinburgh Rocks90-70
Thames Valley TigersLondon Towers95-83
Plymouth RaidersGreater London Leopards68-100
Stevenage RebelsBirmingham Bullets63-106
Leicester RidersChester Jets89-92
Newcastle EaglesMilton Keynes Lions77-69

Quarter Finals
Team 1 Team 2 Score
Sheffield SharksDerby Storm87-76
Manchester GiantsThames Valley Tigers87-100
Greater London LeopardsBirmingham Bullets90-88
Chester JetsNewcastle Eagles72-93

Semi Finals
Team 1 Team 2 Score
Sheffield SharksThames Valley Tigers78-66
Greater London LeopardsNewcastle Eagles98-95 OT

Final
10 January 1999[16]
Sheffield Sharks 67–65 Greater London Leopards
Pts: 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 Baker
Sheffield Arena
Attendance: ?
Sharks coach Chris Finch
Leopards coach Billy Mims

uni-ball Trophy

Group stage

Group A

Team Pts Pld W L Percent
1.Sheffield Sharks 127610.857
2.Derby Storm 107520.714
3.Manchester Giants 107520.714
4.Chester Jets 87430.571
5.Leicester Riders 87430.571
6.Milton Keynes Lions 27160.142
7.Worthing Bears 07070.000

Group B

Team Pts Pld W L Percent
1.London Towers 84401.000
2.Birmingham Bullets 64310.750
3.Newcastle Eagles 44220.500
4.Greater London Leopards 24130.250
5.Edinburgh Rocks 04040.000

Quarter-finals
January 27, 1999
Birmingham Bullets 62–96 Manchester Giants
Aston Villa Leisure Centre, Birmingham
January 27, 1999
Derby Storm 109–102 Newcastle Eagles
Storm Arena, Derby
January 27, 1999
Sheffield Sharks 82–75 Chester Jets

Semi-finals

Derby Storm vs. Leicester Riders

February 10, 1999
Derby Storm 88–75 Leicester Riders
Storm Arena, Derby
February 18, 1999
Leicester Riders 93–90 Derby Storm
Derby wins on aggregate, 178–168

Sheffield Sharks vs. Manchester Giants

February 17, 1999
Manchester Giants 93–88 Sheffield Sharks
Manchester wins on aggregate, 174–165
Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester

Final
March 13, 1999
7.00pm GMT
Manchester Giants 90–69 Derby Storm
Pts: 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 Tresvant
National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham
Attendance: 6,500
Giants coach Nick Nurse
Storm coach Bob Donewald, Jr.

Dairylea Dunkers All-Star Game
February 27, 1999
7.05pm GMT
Northern All-Stars 156–158 Southern All-Stars
Pts: Ted Berry, 29 Pts: Malcolm Leak/Jason Siemon, 24
Telewest Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne

Statistics leaders
CategoryPlayerStat
Points per game John White (Manchester Giants)26.09
Rebounds per game Rico Alderson (Derby Storm)11.84
Assists per game Prentice McGruder (Chester Jets)8.38
Steals per game Casey Arena (Thames Valley Tigers)3.34
Blocks per game James Doyle (Leicester Riders)2.56

Seasonal awards
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References
  1. "Royals reign in Watford is over". News Shopper. 1998. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  2. "Oddballs are here". The Herald. 1998. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  3. "Sport in brief: Basketball". Daily Mail. 1998. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  4. "Royals reign in Watford is over". News Shopper. 1998. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  5. "London Lions History". LondonLionsBasketball.co.uk. 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-11-18. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  6. Richard Taylor (February 1, 1999). "Fight ends game after 30 seconds". The Independent. London. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  7. Richard Taylor (February 1, 1999). "Mayhem on court". The Independent. London. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  8. Richard Taylor (February 2, 1999). "Police probe assault on Chester's physio". The Independent. London. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  9. "News February 27". BritBall. 1999. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  10. "South take 1999 All-Star Game". BritBall. 1999. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  11. Richard Taylor (March 15, 1999). "First title secured by Giants". The Independent. London. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  12. Richard Taylor (April 10, 1999). "Robinson faced with one year suspension". The Independent. London. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  13. Richard Taylor (April 3, 1999). "Myers in moment of magic". The Independent. London. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  14. "Towers are crowned at Wembley". BritBall. 1999. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  15. "Bown budgeting to make Bullets high-calibre weapon". Birmingham Post. 1999. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  16. "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 by
1997–98 season		 BBL seasons
1998–99		 Succeeded by
1999–2000 season
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