The action continued throughout January, with teams jockeying for position as we head towards the business end of the campaign.
Here’s who made the best starts to the New Year.
Manchester Magic (10-1) and Northamptonshire Titans (10-1) are neck-and-neck in the title race for D2 North after three wins for Titans in January.
While the Magic programme were enjoying National Cup success in the last few weeks, Titans tried to capitalise with wins over Charnwood and Birmingham Elite but a first loss of the season to Birmingham Rockets makes February 20’s showdown between the two a must-win game.
Doncaster Eagles (9-4) will certainly have a say in the title race themselves, sitting just behind in third with an in-form Rob Marsden (14.2rpg, 6.9apg) looking to continue a fine season so far.
Good luck stopping @mrschnxck on a fast break 😳
— Westminster Warriors (@westminwarriors) January 21, 2022
(🎥 IG bdav_media) pic.twitter.com/QTVvQ9gsmr
It’s looking more and more like a one-horse race in the South, with Westminster Warriors (14-0) dominating the division so far.
No one seems to have an answer for them so far, as they pulled off wins against Baltic Stars-Medelynas, Richmond Knights, Cardiff Met Archers and Solent Kestrels II in the New Year.
Kestrels (9-4), Greenwich Titans (9-4) and Sussex Bears (9-4) all sit 10 points behind, and it will be a big ask to catch a determined Warriors now.
What a month it has been for Stockport Lapwings (10-1).
They showed their pedigree with a National Cup Final win over D1W side Solent Kestrels in January and dismantled closest challengers Manchester Mystics (7-2) in one of three straight wins to take a six-point lead at the top of the North.
West Herts Warriors (7-3) had had their lead at the top cut to two-points after falling to second-place Brent Bulls (6-1).
Having played three games more, you could say Bulls are in the ascendancy having earnt a huge 84-42 win over Solent Kestrels II (6-1) to sit level on points.
A special moment for Stockport Lapwings 👏#NBL2122 | #GameTime pic.twitter.com/Xl5nauVyAD
— NBL (@NBLengland) January 23, 2022
In the North, Tees Valley Mohawks (8-1) blew the title race wide open by inflicting a first defeat of the season on Teesside Lions (8-1) to leave them level on points at the summit.
The North West paints a slightly different picture, with the unbeaten St Helens Saints (12-0) sitting pretty at the top of the standings.
Worcester Wolves (10-0) are enjoying a similar race to the title and are six-points clear in the Midlands division.
It’s an impressive feat to still be unbeaten at this stage of the season, and Anglia Ruskin (8-0) remain part of that conversation as they head the East standings.
Things aren’t as clear cut in the South, with things all still to play for with London Elite (6-0) and London United (5-2) battling it out.
In the South West there’s not much to separate the division either, but it’s Bristol Basketball United (6-1) and Cardiff City (5-2) currently set as the front runners.
The London conference has seen UEL Lions (7-1) dominate so far, and it shows with six points separating them and the rest of their rivals.
