WORCESTER Wolves suffered a 74-66 defeat against Solent Kestrels in the National Basketball League play-off final.
Wolves produced a valiant effort in the final at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester.
However, Solent complete a treble, after winning the National Cup and Pool B titles, as Worcester suffered an eight-point defeat.
Worcester coach, Dean Blake said: “We couldn’t quite get over the hump.
“Solent are an exceptional side, full of experience, and though there were moments where we had opportunities Solent would then do something to take the game back out again.
“But I’m so proud of our players. We played all year to get through to the very last game of the season.
“We stayed competitive and we never gave up. That’s the spirit we’ve played with all season. It’s been a privilege for me to coach these players.”
Aside from an early first-quarter edge, Wolves always trailed their opponents but still managed to keep in contention at 70-66 behind with a half-minute to play before finally conceding the contest.
Prior to the game, Worcester’s American forward Earl Burgess received his Pool A player of the year award and immediately got in the thick of the action to aid a 9-7 lead three minutes into the contest.
Captain Wilfrid Santhe pulled up to freeze defenders and extend the Worcester advantage to 16-12 but, by the close of the opening quarter, Kestrels had nudged 23-18 in front.
Five second-quarter points apiece for Santhe and for Emmanuel Yeboah kept Solent in sight with a gradually-increasing 43-34 half-time lead.
Yeboah stole the ball on Kestrels’ first possession after the interval to set up Santhe to close the gap.
A Yeboah three-pointer and further Santhe output reduced Solent’s advantage to 47-42 before their Pool B player of the year Andre Arissol sank an outside shot to quell the comeback.
Though looking comfortably back in command at 60-48 entering the last period, Kestrels had little time to relax with Solent harassed into a shot-clock violation with two minutes left to play.
Harry Godwin and Fin Rennie produced strong drives to the basket to keep the pot boiling and the latter displayed the grit that has run through his game all year to thrust Wolves back into contention.
Though urged on by a large turnout of travelling fans, Worcester ran out of time to complete the comeback.
In their final appearances in Wolves colours, Santhe and Yeboah led the team with 17 and 14 points respectively while Arissol, named the game’s most valuable player, tabbed 19 for Solent.
Blake paid tribute to his side’s departing players and praised the club’s supporters while looking ahead at plans for next season.
Blake added: “It’s been an absolute honour to have the likes of Emmanuel, Earl, Wilfrid and Humberto Ferreira at this club.
“I know they are now going to go on to bigger and better things.
“Our fans who followed us up to Manchester were amazing, bringing the noise into the arena.
“I could see lots of familiar faces in the crowd. We’re so privileged to have them all behind us.
“We always put out competitive teams in Worcester and I see next season as being no different.
“We’ll have an off-season of reflection and then we’ll re-tool and get ready to go again in September.”
