Sharks and Eagles march into play-off semis

 BBL CHAMPIONS Newcastle Eagles booked their place in the play-off semi-finals, courtesy of a comfortable victory over Worthing Thunder.

Charles Smith weighed in with 29 points to help the Eagles to a 102-74 win at the Newcastle Arena as the champions romped into the last four.

 It was the Eagles who started the game at a blistering pace as they opened up an early 22-6 lead off the back of a 16-2 run, including eight points a-piece from Andrew Sullivan and Smith.

The Eagles were just as dominant in the second period as they continued to pull away from the Thunder with some impressive shooting from Andrew Bridge and Joe Chapman ensuring Newcastle had a 24-point lead at half-time.

After the break the Eagles picked up from where they left off and they extended their lead to 35 points at 77-42 thanks to an 11-4 burst.

Three-pointers from Sherrod Prezzie-Blue and James Brame helped the visitors end the third period with a 13-2 tear to trim the deficit slightly to 24 points at 79-55 heading into the final period.

In the final quarter the visitors tried valiantly to get themselves back into the game but they could get no closer than 27 points at 99-72 with two minutes remaining as the Eagles secured their semi-final berth. 

The Eagles were joined in the semis by second-placed Sheffield Sharks, who had Mike Cook firing on all cylinders to ensure they had enough to see off the Marshall MK Lions.

Cook chalked up an impressive 37 points and while EJ Harrison chipped in with 29 for the Lions, the Sharks clinched a nail-biting 104-93 victory.

Early in the final quarter, the scores were tied at 88-88 but a seven-point burst edged the Sharks' noses in front and the Lions could not find a way back.