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The Bristol Academy Flyers progressed to the National League Division 1 Playoff Final Four in their first season in the league with a convincing 105 to 96 playoff home quarter-final win over the London Leopards. The two sides had met twice before during the regular season with Leopards narrowly winning on both occasions however this time it was the Flyers turn to smile.

Top scorers for the Flyers were Ryan Williams and Arek Makowski with 30 and 16 points respectively while Greg Streete and Adam Simons followed them with 14 each. For the Leopards Gareth Laws led all scorers with an amazing 39 points performance and a stunning 6 out of 8 three point shot attempts while Salter added 22.

Flyers took the early lead with a 6 to 1 start with baskets by Williams and Gareth Till. Excellent three-point shooting by Salter and Laws would bring leopard ahead 15 to 19 with 3 minutes left in the first period. That would be the last time the London side would lead the game as a quick seven points by Williams would put the Flyers ahead at the end of the first period 26 to 23.

A change of defense by the Bristol team would cause uncertainty to the Leopards side as the Flyers went on a 15 to 4 run in the first six minutes of the second period. Leopards Latham-Henry would cut the Flyers lead down by 9 however another five points by Williams and a couple of free throws by Makowski and Ahmed would give the Flyers their maximum lead 47 to 34 at the end of the half.

The Flyers with the help of Simons and Makowski would start the second half with 6 unanswered points to extend the lead to its biggest margin, 53 to 34. Leopards though did not give up and with three quick successful shots from beyond the arc by Salter, brought the deficit down to 10. Baskets by Bristol’s young guns, Greg Streete and Tyrone Treasure would give the Flyers a 71 to 55 lead at the start of the last period. Two consecutive threes by Makowski and Streete would put the Flyers even further ahead and after a few exchanges of baskets, another three by Lee Treasure will give the Flyers a repeat of their biggest margin 83 to 64 with 6 minutes left.

Leopards though did not yet have their last word as the London team went on a 17 to 3 run within the next three minutes to find themselves only trailing by 5 with 3 minutes remaining in the game. Bristol responded with confidence and 7 consecutive points by Williams and restored order in a game the Flyers had been in total control since the first period. The final score 105 to 96 gave the Flyers their first ever Division 1 playoff semi-final, an amazing achievement for a Club just promoted this year to top flight basketball.

Flyers Coach Andreas Kapoulas was really pleased with his team’s attitude: “We secured an early lead in the game by keeping Leopards in low numbers during the first half. It got a bit sticky towards the end but whenever we needed baskets or defensive stops someone will step up and do it for us. Full credit has to go to all our players for their determination and mental toughness. When we play together and work hard, great things happen.”
“This has been a fantastic season for us. Who would have ever thought in our first season in Division 1, we would finish in the Top Four in the league behind teams with long tradition and we would also make it to the Playoffs Final Four in Sheffield. People would have laughed at whoever said this. We did it though and congratulations have to go to the players. This is a great achievement for Bristol basketball and I would like to say a massive thank you to all our supporters, sponsors and Filton College who without them we would not be able to perform to our best.”

Flyers are now looking to complete their successful season this coming weekend (12th/13th April) at the Final Four held in Sheffield. Flyers opponent in the playoff semi-final will be Manchester. The winner will advance to play the winner of the other semi-final that features Reading versus Derby.
For Final Four ticket information please visit: www.englandbasketball.com. If you would be interested in making the trip to Sheffield please contact Andreas Kapoulas at andreas.kapoulas@filton.ac.uk.