Just two games now remain outstanding, with Hemel's trip to Reading and the top of group 4 clash between Derby and Newcastle the only fixtures still to be played.
We take a look over all the games from the final weekend before the regular season begins, with live stats links and available live streams linked as well.
Team Solent Kestrels top group 1 following a commanding 103-53 win against London Lions II, who finish the pool phase without a win to their name.
A 35-13 second quarter set the defending champs on the way to a healthy victory, with 24 points from American guard Cole Gentry the pick of the performances for the Kestrels.
In what turned into a play-in game for second spot, Worthing went on the road and beat Essex Rebels 110-84.
Jarred Dixon's 33 points complimented a 31 point, 10 rebound double-double from Hafeez Abdul as the Thunder duo caused real problems for the Rebels throughout.
5pm - Essex Rebels 84-110 Worthing Thunder - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
6pm - Team Solent Kestrels 103-53 London Lions II - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
Pos |
P |
W |
L |
Pts |
|
| 1 | Team Solent Kestrels | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| 2 | Worthing Thunder | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | Essex Rebels | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 4 | London Lions II | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Just one game remains in group 2, with the potential for a three way tie for two quarter-final places still a possibility.
Thames Valley started the weekend as less than gracious hosts, sending the visiting Oaklands Wolves on their way with a lopsided 103-55 final score.
The Cavs couldn't continue that momentum into Sunday though, with Reading moving into top spot following a narrow 93-87 win.
The hosts surged back from a 20 point third quarter deficit to win, thanks in part to a 21 point game from A.J. Basi.
Hemel rounded out the weekend in positive fashion as they brought Oaklands' L Lynch campaign to an end with a 123-68 defeat. Storm's Taylor Johnson and Greg Poleon both enjoyed a productive outing as they scored 34 points apiece.
With three losses from three and an average margin of defeat of over 50 points, it hasn't been a good competition for the Wolves ahead of the new league season.
6pm - Thames Valley Cavaliers 103-55 Oaklands Wolves - LIVE STATS
5pm - Reading Rockets 93-87 Thames Valley Cavaliers - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
5pm - Hemel Storm 123-68 Oaklands Wolves - LIVE STATS
Pos |
P |
W |
L |
Pts |
|
| 1 | Reading Rockets | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 2 | Thames Valley Cavaliers | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | Hemel Storm | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | Oaklands Wolves | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
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Bonner with the huge swat off the glass
— bbl fix (@BblFix) September 26, 2021
🎥 BE/Rockets pic.twitter.com/vP14IBUMVQ
Nottingham Hoods finished their group 3 schedule with a 100% record, notching a third straight win as they took down Charnwood 105-61.
It was another commanding victory for the Midlands side, who utilised a 35-11 opening quarter to run out comfortable winners. Victor Olarerin top scored for the hosts with 28 points.
Loughborough ensured they'd join the Hoods in the quarter-finals as they beat Leicester 77-73.
The Warriors went into the half time break up by 11 at 38-27, but came unstuck in the second half to fall to a costly loss. Joe Bielak top scored for the Riders with 18 points.
3pm - Nottingham Hoods 105-61 Charnwood Riders - LIVE STATS
3pm - Loughborough Riders 77-73 Leicester Warriors - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAMS
Pos |
P |
W |
L |
Pts |
|
| 1 | Nottingham Hoods | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| 2 | Loughborough Riders | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 3 | Leicester Warriors | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 4 | Charnwood Riders | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
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Spin cycle
— bbl fix (@BblFix) September 26, 2021
🎥 BE pic.twitter.com/CdLTW4jksr
Wins for Derby and Team Newcastle on Saturday sent both teams through to the L Lynch quarter-finals, though their order still needs to be finalised after a COVID issue meant Sunday's clash between the two sides was called off.
Derby beat Myerscough 94-72 on Saturday, with Sol Rolls-Tyson dropping an impressive 37 points. Newcastle followed suit shortly after, though they were made to work as the North East side narrowly edged Bradford 91-89.
After trailing for the majority of the game, the Dragons finally snuck ahead late in the 4th as just 18 seconds showed on the clock. Brandon Federici came up with a clutch triple to send the game to OT where the Knights managed to regain their grip on the tie to seal the W.
Federici's late antics helped him to a team-high 23 points as Martyn Gayle enjoyed a 17 point, 13 rebound double-double.
In Sunday's only game, Bradford bounced back to beat Myerscough 78-68, with David Walsh (17pts), Rihards Sulcs (12pts) and former BBL man Zach Gachette (16pts) all contributing.
4pm - Derby Trailblazers 94-72 Myerscough - LIVE STATS
5pm - Bradford Dragons 89-91 Team Newcastle University - LIVE STATS
4pm - Myerscough 68-78 Bradford Dragons - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
Pos |
P |
W |
L |
Pts |
|
| 1 | Derby Trailblazers | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 1 | Team Newcastle | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | Bradford Dragons | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 4 | Myerscough College | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
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Main image credit - Luke Simcock
