​Bradford Dragons made it two wins from two to start the season, in a low scoring 74-71 win over Division Two side Myerscough Academy. 

The Dragons hold a commanding position in Group Four heading into next weekend’s final group game against fellow Division One rivals Derby Trailblazers. With the top two from each group advancing to the quarterfinals, Dragons will look to secure a third straight win on their way to the next stage. 

Back to today’s action, in a less than vintage Dragons performance, Chris Mellor’s team showed all of their experience down the stretch as they ground out a clutch victory in the Myerscough bubble. 

In a game of runs and turnovers, the first quarter was the tightest period of the entire game as both teams felt out their opposition in a high-octane opener. Myerscough got the scoring underway through a Dan Gargan layup. Dragons captain Ricky Fetske responded with a three; the first of many buckets for him in the game. 

Andreas Lycoudis provided a nice offensive burst in the first quarter, leading the Dragons scoring with 8 early points (two threes) as they led 17-16 after 12 minutes. 

Forcing two successive shot clock violations on Myerscough to start the second quarter, the Dragons looked primed to insert their will on the game as they extended their lead to 21-16. 

Bradford Dragons secured a comfortable 84-59 victory over Team Newcastle in weekend one of the inaugural L Lynch trophy. 

The newly implemented trophy pits 16 teams, 14 from NBL Division One, and two invited teams from NBL Division Two (Myerscough and Charnwood) against each other. Competing in four regional groups of four, each team play’s each other once with the top two in each group heading to the quarterfinals. The Dragons are joined in Group D by Division Two champions Team Newcastle, Derby Trailblazers, and hosts Myerscough. 

In their first game of competitive action since March 8th, 2020, the Dragons controlled proceedings from start to finish in the Myerscough bubble. Facing off against newly promoted Team Newcastle, Dragons showed no signs of rust in a game they never allowed Newcastle to get comfortable in. 

To kick off the 2020-21 season, the Dragons starting five was Dave Walsh, Andreas Lycoudis, Jermayne Laing, Albert Margai, and recent addition Tyme Regent-Bascombe. Regent-Bascombe didn’t take long to score his first points in Dragons colours as he knocked down a two-point jumper on the first offensive possession of the game. 

Despite never being able to break into more than a six-point lead in the opening period, Dragons looked thoroughly in control throughout. Looking to push the ball with pace, Coach Mellor’s team was dictating play from the tip with Laing and Regent-Bascombe heavily involved on the offensive end. ​

​If you’ve been checking out our social media channels over the last week, you will have seen the announcements of some very familiar faces returning to the Dragons roster for the new season. If not, don’t worry, here is everything you missed.

• Dragons stalwart Rihards Sulcs returns for a 12th consecutive season.
• Captain Ricky Fetske is back for a seventh season in Dragons colours.
• Local favourite Jermayne Laing is back for season number eight.
• Sharp shooting ace Dave Walsh returns for a second season.
• Andreas Lycoudis commits to a third season with your Bradford Dragons.
• Matthew Armstrong returns for a third season with the Dragons.
• Clayfell Harris returns to the Dragons Den for another season.
• Point guard Albert Margai returns for a second season with the Dragons

​To stay up to date with all future Dragons roster announcements and news throughout the season, make sure to follow all the Dragons social media channels.
 
Facebook: @bradforddragons :: Twitter: @DragonsBradford ::  Instagram: @bradforddragonsbasketball

SEASON STRUCTURE

On August 26, Basketball England announced the provisional dates of a return to competitive action for your Bradford Dragons. NBL Division One play for the 2020/2021 season is scheduled to begin on the weekend of the 24/25 October. Basketball England also confirmed that if the season is able to proceed as normal, the NBL Playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 24/25, 2021.
 
Following a meeting of Basketball England’s Leagues and Competitions Advisory Group, it was decided that there would be no promotion and relegation between any of the National Basketball divisions following the 2020/21 season. After hearing feedback from clubs across the senior and junior leagues, the decision was made to mitigate the challenges caused by COVID.
 
The newly created Challenge Cup for NBL Division One teams will be played across three weekends, the 3/4, 10/11, and 17/18 October and will serve as a trial for the upcoming season. Further details on the competition will be announced in the coming weeks.
 
Following discussions between Basketball England’s Leagues and Competitions Advisory Group and the working groups for the NBL Division One and WNBL Division One it was announced that the prestigious National Cup will not take place in the 2020/21 season. Basketball England announced on September 10 that the move aims to help avoid potential fixture congestion later in the season.

RETURN TO PLAY ROADMAP
​
Despite Bradford currently being under local lockdown for COVID, Basketball England in accordance with government guidance, has updated all areas to Level 2 on their Return to Play Roadmap. Previously Bradford was placed at Level 4 in July, the guidance allowed only individual training sessions with a member of your household and no club training sessions.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DRAGONS DEN 
​
​Following COVID guidance out of the Dragons control, the Bradford Dragons will start the 2020/21 season playing out of Bradford University until at least January. Under extraordinary circumstances, the Dragons will be playing their home games away from Bradford College for the first time since 2008.

Everyone at the Bradford Dragons is looking forward to safely welcoming the Dragons faithful back to games. Keep tuned across our website and social media

Basketball England has taken the decision to suspend all affiliated basketball activity for an initial two-week period because of the coronavirus outbreak.

This action will include National Leagues and competitions, England national teams, Academy leagues, talent programmes including Aspire, affiliated local leagues and Basketball England education courses.
The suspension of all activity will commence from 9am on Saturday, March 14.
We recommend this extends to clubs' practices.  :: READ MORE :: 

​Dragons within touching distance of securing playoff berth after splitting doubleheader
by Tom Lamming (Student Press Officer)

Bradford Dragons clinched an important 97-83 road win over the Westminster Warriors on Saturday, before falling disappointingly to fellow playoff rivals Reading Rockets 86-63 at the Dragons Den on Sunday.

The Leicester Warriors also went 1-1 over the weekend. Meaning the Dragons maintain their spot as the 8th seed, holding a four-point buffer over the Warriors with just three games to play. The Dragons do hold the head-to-head over the Warriors, so should the teams tie on points, Dragons would ultimately advance to the playoffs.

Bradford Dragons swiftly returned to winning ways with a 97-83 victory over the Westminster Warriors.

Desperate to bounce back from last weekend’s tough defeat to Hemel, the Dragons responded by claiming a vital win in the race for playoff seeding.

Dragons ensured the lowly Warriors search for a victory goes on. Now 16 games without a win, Westminster battled hard, but Coach Mellor’s team deservedly prevailed in the end.

Despite the comfortable winning margin, the visitors didn’t have it all their own way. After opening up a 9-5 lead in the opening three minutes of play, the Dragons suddenly found themselves down 23-13.

Over the next five minutes of play, the hosts proceeded to go on an 18-4 run to blow the game wide open. Dragons had no answer for the Warriors assault on the painted area as they continued to cash in with layups.

By Tom Lamming (Student Press Officer)

Five regular-season games remain for the Bradford Dragons as the post-season looms ever closer. This weekend, the Dragons will take on the 3-19 Westminster Warriors on the road on Saturday at 5.30pm, before taking on the 13-8 Reading Rockets at the Dragons Den on Sunday with tip-off at 4.15pm.

One of the division’s form sides in 2020, the Dragons have won six of their nine games so far this year and will aim to add two crucial wins to that tally. Looking to bounce back from last Saturday’s tough defeat against the Hemel Storm, this weekend’s double-header presents Coach Mellor’s team with an opportunity to kick-start momentum down the final stretch of the season.

By Tom Lamming (Student Press Officer)

Bradford Dragons succumbed to a difficult 105-82 road defeat by the Hemel Storm on Saturday evening.

With the Leicester Warriors losing the first game of their weekend doubleheader 70-57 on the road at the Loughborough Riders, the playoff picture remains the same. A four-point buffer in favour of Dragons separates the two teams vying for the final playoff spot.

After three successive defeats, the 15-6 Storm bounced back with a dominant home performance against Dragons.

The hosts got off to a red-hot start, opening the game with ten straight points. Threes from captain Walid Mumuni and Sam Newman were complemented by scores from Bode Adeluola and leading-scorer Michael Williams.

​Bradford Dragons three-game unbeaten run came to an abrupt end on Saturday evening as the team fell 120-78 to the league-leading Solent Kestrels.
 
Fresh off advancing to the BBL Trophy Final, the 16-0 Kestrels were in no mood to drop their first league game of the season.
 
Leading for almost the entirety of the game, the visitors shot 69% for the game as the Dragons struggled to slow down the visitor’s offensive onslaught.
 
Solent’s Travis Charles opened the scoring with a layup. The Dragons sole lead of the game came seconds later through a Dave Walsh three.
 
Then the Kestrels three-point bombardment began. Leading scorer Elliot Sentence knocked down the first of his five threes in the opening quarter.
 
Captain Elliot Dadds also got in on the action from deep as he swished home two threes. Behind 7-9 shooting from downtown, the league leaders opened up a 38-19 lead after the first quarter of play.
 
Unfortunately for the Dragons faithful inside of the Dragons Den, the second quarter followed suit. 
 
Despite brief stints of positive play from Jermayne Laing and Rihards Šulcs, the Kestrels continued to build their lead.
 
Shooting 76% from the field, the visitors led 69-35 as the first half drew to a close.
 
Dragons continued to fight in the penultimate quarter, but the offense never managed to get into a rhythm.

by Tom Lamming (Student Press Officer)

Bradford Dragons return to action in the Dragons Den this weekend for the first time in almost a month. Since the January 26th 91-83 victory over the Worthing Thunder, the Dragons have been in red hot form, winning three straight games, and six of their last seven. Improving the team’s record to two games over .500 for the first time this season (10-8).

A fascinating weekend of NBL Division One action awaits for Dragons. First up on Saturday is a 6.15pm tip-off against runaway league leaders and BBL Trophy finalists Solent Kestrels. Followed on Sunday by a clash against the 6-13 Nottingham Hoods, tipping off at 4.15pm.

Solent Kestrels

The Opposition
Sitting on top of the NBL Division One standings, the Kestrels’ are on a 16-game unbeaten league run this season and lost their first game in almost a calendar year, last weekend at the BBL’s Bristol Flyers (92-73) in the BBL Trophy Semi-Final. Despite the second-leg defeat, the 176-159 aggregate victory saw Solent make history as they became the first-ever NBL side to reach the BBL Trophy Final.

Saturday’s clash marks the third meeting between the teams this season. Dragons lost 107-79 down in Southampton in early November but produced a much-improved performance just a few weeks later in the National Cup tie in Bradford. Losing 87-77 in the Fourth-Round tie as Rihards Šulcs led all scorers with 22 points.

Hopeful it’s third time lucky this weekend, the Dragons will look for a repeat of last season’s exploits and end the Kestrels unbeaten league run at the Dragons Den. Ending Solent’s ten-game unbeaten start to the 2018/19 season as Dragons clinched an impressive 86-83 victory.

Key Player – Travis Charles
In his second season with Solent, Charles is averaging 20.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. The 24-year-old American is ranked in the top 10 in points, rebounds and efficiency in Division One. The forward notably notched 22 points and 10 rebounds in just 22 minutes of action in the side’s first meeting of the season on November 2 nd.

Nottingham Hoods
The Opposition

The Hoods travel to West Yorkshire looking to extend their winning run after last Sunday’s 115-106 home victory over the Westminster Warriors. 1-5 since the turn of the new year, Sunday’s clash at the Dragons Den presents Nottingham with the opportunity to cut the gap to the Dragons, down to six points.

Sitting in 10 th place with a 6-13 record on the season, Nottingham is certainly not a team to be taken lightly given their away form this season. The Hoods have sealed four of their six victories on the road, including a noteworthy 102-95 victory over the second-seeded Thames Valley Cavaliers in November.

The Hoods also narrowly fell to the third-seeded Hemel Storm 88-85 on the road, on the opening day of the season. A sign of their ability to match the top teams in the division. The last time the two teams met, the Dragons secured a first road victory of the season with a 99-82 victory on November 16 th, 2019.

Key Player - Demetrius Houston

In his first season in Nottingham, Houston is averaging 18.6 points in 29.7 minutes per game. Shooting 47.8% from the field and 34.9% from three-point range, the 22-year-old American is leading the Hoods in scoring. The guard has also produced eight games where he has scored over 20 points and three games with 30+ points in 19 games so far this season.

Coach Mellor
Chris Mellor on the Dragons recent form.

“Our last two away games saw us come away with victories at Liverpool and Barking where we weren’t at our best but both teams are fighting to stay alive and fought really hard.”

Continuing, Coach Mellor was complementary about Saturday’s opponents as they make the long journey to West Yorkshire.

“Solent comes here having had an amazing season up to now with the National Cup already secured and a BBL final to come, and an unbeaten record so far in Division One. I think most people in our league are fully behind them for the BBL Trophy final and it would be great if they could take another BBL scalp against either the Newcastle Eagles or Cheshire Phoenix.”

Coach Mellor’s thoughts ahead of the second installment in this weekend’s doubleheader, where the Dragons face off against the Nottingham Hoods.

“Nottingham Hoods have a team with a lot of talent and have had a bad time of it this season with injuries and players missing. So, we are fully aware of the threats they have now they are nearly at full strength again.”

“With 8 games left we are in a playoff position and we just need to keep playing hard and consistent as the season reaches its climax.”
Photographs © Alex Daniel Photography

​by Tom Lamming (Student Press Officer)

Bradford Dragons defeated Barking Abbey 76-72 in a hard-fought NBL Division One battle on Saturday afternoon.

In a game that went right down to the wire, the Dragons clutched a third successive victory, and in the process, claimed their seventh win in the last eight league games.

On a day where fellow playoff-chasing Leicester Warriors defeated Reading Rockets 83-71, the Dragons resilient win could prove to be even more important come the end of the regular season, in just over a month.

Looking to bounce back from two narrow losses in recent weeks, it was Barking who stormed into an early 10-0 lead.

Dragons got off to a slow offensive start, missing their first nine shots of the game as Theo Hughes, Tautvydas Mieliauskas, Veron Eze and Tim Shodipo all got on the scoreboard early for the hosts.

Rihards Šulcs scored the Dragons first points, four minutes into the game, via two made free throws.