THAMES Valley Kings were unable to take home glory at the National Championships as they finished in fourth place.
On Saturday, Kings, the Division Two South Champions faced Division Two North runners up North Wales Knights in the semi-final.
The game started evenly for the first 5 minutes as both teams traded points, however, a series of turnovers from bad passes and missed opportunities saw the Knights build up a lead of 13 points by the end of the first quarter, 21-8.
The second quarter was more evenly matched as Kings found some composure but the lead from the 1st quarter saw Kings in an up-hill battle as Knights lead 36-20 at half time.
More bad passes leading to turnovers and missed shooting opportunities in the third saw Knights open a 30 point lead before Kings clawed a couple of late baskets to take the score to 54-28 leading into the final quarter.
An intense fourth quarter saw Kings composure return as both teams hit over 20 points in the final quarter of action to take the final score to 76-48 at the final buzzer.
The game saw Liam Barker as the game’s top scorer with 27 points and 4 assists and Reece Barker picking up 13 points, 20 rebounds and 2 assists
In the bronze medal game, Kings faced the Division Two North champions the Lancaster Bulldogs.
Kings won the tip and took an early advantage however missed shooting opportunities plagued the Kings with seven offensive chances missed but with Bulldogs able to convert their chances, meant that they led 21-12 after the first quarter.
The second quarter was a repeat of the first with Kings not making their chances count with a further six offensive chances missed before they found the net, in the meantime, Bulldogs took each and every chance they had to increase the lead to 21 points at half-time.
The third quarter was different as Kings finally found composure under the basket as an end-to-end quarter saw both teams defending and shooting very well, with the score 51-28. Kings continued to fight in the final quarter as the shooting form returned as they fought back but with a strong lead and little time, they were destined to finish 4th.
The game saw Liam Barker as the star player for the Kings with 17 points and 10 assists
Full Results:
Semi Final – Thames Valley Kings 48-76 North Wales Knights
Bronze Medal – Thames Valley Kings 45 – 63 Lancaster Bulldogs
Final Standings for Division Two
1st – North Wales Knights
2nd – Warwickshire Bears 2
3rd – Lancaster Bulldogs
4th – Thames Valley Kings