Milton Keynes Breakers will host an old foe in Hemel Storm this Sunday as the two sides battle it out in the KitKing Trophy Semi-Final – in what is potentially the biggest home fixture in Breakers history.
Hemel have come out on top in each meeting, meaning they are the only side MK Breakers have played and never beaten. The two sides met first in the National Cup Semi-Final during the Breakers inaugural campaign as they narrowly lost 98-93. The Breakers then tasted defeat against Hemel in the Quarter-Finals of the KitKing Trophy last season, going down 94-91. The Breakers will no doubt be hopeful of putting the Storm’s record to an end.
A name synonymous with winning in the National Basketball League, Hemel will no doubt prove a tough test for the Breakers. They are currently the only unbeaten team in NBL Division One having won all four of their opening games and will be looking to secure their fourth successive playoff title this campaign.
Hemel topped their KitKing Trophy Group having picked up wins over London Elite and Thames Valley Cavaliers, with their only loss coming against Essex Rebels. Storm then beat Loughborough Quarter-Finals to set up the clash against MK Breakers.
Billy Beddow’s side meanwhile also topped their group, winning games over Loughborough Riders, City of Birmingham Rockets and Bristol Hurricanes. They then overcame Bradford Dragons to reach the Semi-Final stage of the competition.
Sam Newman and Darien Nelson-Henry have been key cogs for Hemel as they retained the services of the duo in the Summer. The former is coming off the back of a 17-point and 10 rebound double-double, with Newman impressing with seven assists in the Storm’s win over Loughborough Riders.
Summer recruit Tra’Michael Moton has hit the ground running since his arrival in the Summer, Moton picked up NBL’s Player of the Week as he picked up 31 points in the aforementioned win over Loughborough. Elsewhere, Canadian Matt Ellis has made an impressive start to life in England after being named MVP in the Portuguese Proliga last year. Trent Monkman has also been key to the Storm’s impressive start to the season.
This is the first time The Breakers will host the Hemel Storm with a sell-out crowd expected at Bletchley Leisure Centre. The two sides have arguably been Basketball England’s most successful in recent years with each encounter showcasing some elite level Basketball – all the signs once again point to a really entertaining affair.
