Boroughmuir Blaze and Edinburgh Kings back-up vital victories

Local basketball round-up
Edinburgh Lions (black) were defeated by Falkirk FuryEdinburgh Lions (black) were defeated by Falkirk Fury
Edinburgh Lions (black) were defeated by Falkirk Fury

A week is a long time in politics, but not in Scottish basketball. Days after Boroughmuir Blaze beat Dunfermline in the Cup semis and City of Edinburgh Kings lost to St Mirren, those results were repeated in the league.

Blaze had to return to Fife yet still saw off the reigning champions in equally convincing style. Last week’s 12-point Cup triumph was topped by a 78-65 league victory as the Capital side ended 2019 with a sixth straight win.

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“To beat Reign twice on their home court is a great sign of our progress,” said head coach Simon Turner.

Kings were well beaten in the Cup in Paisley but offered a sterner challenge at Portobello High. The lead continually changed hands before St Mirren nursed a slender advantage through the final quarter to prevail 99-94.

Elsewhere, Edinburgh Lions crumbled after half-time as Falkirk Fury won 79-56 in Grangemouth.

In the women’s championship, 21 points from Shannon Purves helped leaders and Cup finalists City of Edinburgh Kool Kats maintain their 100 per cent record with a 98-41 demolition of West Lothian Wolves at Armadale Academy. In mid-table, Edinburgh University fell 56-48 at home to Glasgow Fever.

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Edinburgh pro team Caledonia Pride enter the British League’s festive break with just one win all season following Sunday’s 74-51 loss to Essex Rebels at The Peak in Stirling.

Stella Fouraki and Sian Phillips both reached double figures for points and rebounds, but coach Bart Sengers admitted: “It was difficult for us with (captain) Hannah Robb out.”

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