KitKing Trophy 2024/25: Quarter-finals set to play out

With the KitKing Trophy group stage now complete, the coming weekend hosts this year's quarter-finals.

Three games are set to go ahead on Saturday, with a fourth taking place on Sunday, as the competition looks to decide on a final four.

The competition is organised by NBL1 Men's clubs in partnership with naming rights holder Kitking.co.uk and Basketball England.  

It saw all 13 NBL1 clubs, plus a trio of invited Division Two sides, competing in four regional groups of four.

We take a look at all four quarter-final games below.

Bradford's Jordan Whelan (Max Lomas Photography)

Milton Keynes Breakers vs Bradford Dragons

Last season's finalists Bradford Dragons will need to overcome Group 3 winners Milton Keynes Breakers if they're to mount another charge to this year's showpiece.

The Breakers went a perfect 3-0 in group play to lock up a home tie and will fancy their chances of progressing with reigning Player of the Week Adrian Scarborough at their disposal

Dragons' Kofi Josephs put together a 40-point weekend last time out, with 22 points against Newcastle and 18 more during the win over Nottingham on Sunday.

His continued emergence and the play of the likes of Jordan Whelan and veteran Richard Sulcs will likely have a big say on this weekend's opening clash.

Hemel Storm vs Loughborough Riders

Former winners Hemel Storm have a home tie with Loughborough Riders to navigate as they look for another title to go with their 2022/23 success.

Hemel are the only group winner to progress without a perfect record, going 2-1 against the likes of Thames Valley, Essex and London Elite. but they still have more than enough quality at their disposal to make a run at the title.

Matthew Ellis was only denied a Team of the Week spot last weekend due to a stats anomoly, and his 30 points, nine boards, five steals and four blocks displayed his clear talent at both ends of the court.

Sam Newman, Trent Monkman and Darien Nelson-Henry have all flashed their quality in the early going, as has former TOTW pick Veron Eze.

That means winning this weekend will be a tough ask for the travelling Riders, but Victor Ndoukou is a current TOTW selection for his performances last weekend, and Justin Hedley (20.3PPG, 7.3RPG, 5.6APG)  averaged some impressive numbers across the trio of games in Group 3.

Solent's Isa Brandon

Derby Trailblazers vs Team Solent Kestrels

The next step in Derby's KitKing defence is a home tilt with the only D2 side to progress from the group stages in Team Solent Kestrels.

After a spluttering start to their campaign and two losses from two, TSK came good last time out to fly past South Coast rivals Worthing Thunder, doing just enough in the 115-94 road win to take the tiebreaker with Thunder and fellow D2 South hopefuls Barking Abbey.

Isa Brandon (24pts, 10reb, 6ast) earned TOTW honours for his part in that win, and team-mate Andre Arissol (18pts, 7reb, 12ast) was a whisker off doing the same, suggesting tomorrow's visitors have a one-two punch that could trouble their D1 opponents.

Derby can turn to in-form Leighton Elliott-Sewell, who is returning from long-term injury problems and put up 21 points and eight boards against Nottingham last Saturday.

Add in the talents of Jonas Dieterich, Malcolm Smith, Raheem May-Thompson, Rob Marsden and the rest of their roster, and there's a good reason DTB have enjoyed so much success in recent seasons.

They'll be a tough nut to crack again this weekend, but Solent will no doubt still fancy an upset.

Reading Rockets vs Thames Valley Cavaliers

Sunday's only clash sees Thames Valley Cavaliers heading to Reading Rockets in a local showdown.

Around 45 minutes' drive separates the two clubs, and the Rockets will no doubt want to send their opponents back along the M4 with little to cheer about come Sunday night.

Spotless in their three games to date, the Rockets averaged 110.3PPG to top Group 1, and that means TVC will need to be on their game defensively if they're to get anything from this contest.

Part of that offensive show of force has been Reading's three point shooting, going 39/79 (49.3%) from range in the group stage.

Mitch Clarke, Simon Chamberlain and former Player of the Week Victor Olarerin have all been impressive on that front, giving the Cavs plenty to focus on.

As Justin Robinson continues to settle into his new surroundings, it'll be interesting to see how he fares against the Rockets, with AJ Roberts, Juan Manning and Shaquille Lewis all looking to get hot around the former Surrey Scorcher.

This weekend's fixtures, lives stats and ticket info

Saturday 28 September

5pm - Milton Keynes Breakers vs Bradford Dragons - LIVE STATS / TICKETS

7pm - Hemel Storm vs Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS / TICKETS

 7:30pm - Derby Trailblazers vs Team Solent Kestrels - LIVE STATS / TICKETS

Sunday 29 September

4pm - Reading Rockets vs Thames Valley Cavaliers - LIVE STATS / TICKETS / LIVE STREAM

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Main image credit - Pete Simmons