It may not last for long, however, with Derby sporting a game in hand on both Hemel and Essex, but it shows just how tight this season's title race has become.
Hemel's win over Essex yesterday further demonstrated Storm's determination to defend their regular-season and playoff crowns, with that game headlining an eight-game schedule across the last few days.
We take a look back at all this weekend action below, with links to live stats and live streams at the bottom of the page.
Hemel got a huge home win against title rivals Essex yesterday, coming through 90-81.
A 28-17 opening quarter allowed Storm to build a 16-point lead early in the second, but Essex would fight back to lead late in the third as the game ebbed and flowed.
It was the hosts who would finish the stronger though, using a 14-0 run that straddled the third and fourth quarters to move into a lead they would never relinquish.
Taylor Johnson (27pts, 7reb, 6ast) once again powered the Hemel cause, with Sam Newman (19pts, 5/8 3pt), Brayden Inger (15pts, 11reb) and Darien Nelson-Henry (12pts, 7reb) all joining the American in shooting over 50% from the floor.
In fact, Hemel would shoot 17 fewer field goals than their opponents (68 to 85) in part due to an uncharacteristic 25 turnovers, but netted at an impressive 48% of their efforts as a team, and 57% from inside the arc.
Trey Chapman (19pts, 9reb) would lead the way for Essex as Kyron Martin added another 16 points off the bench that included four triples.
Both teams now meet again next Saturday to settle their own head-to-head tiebreaker, whilst Derby have a game in hand plus the tiebreaker against both teams as they try to seal the regular-season title.
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Newcastle University (14-8) got the weekend off to a flyer, picking up their 14th win of the year thanks to an 80-73 victory over City of Birmingham Rockets (8-14).
Josh Moore nailed five threes for the hosts on his way to a game-high 23 points as teammate Emmanuel Kanwei produced an efficient 18-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Barking Abbey (3-19) ran Bradford Dragons (11-11) close before eventually falling 85-79.
Trailing by nine early in the third, the second half belonged to the visitors as they hauled the deficit back behind 27 points, nine boards and seven assists from Ronald Blain.
London Elite (3-19) were well-beaten by Essex in the first leg of the Rebels' double-header on Saturday, with an 87-70 final score.
Storm also had no issue with their Saturday opponents Nottingham Hoods (9-13), brushing them aside 115-93 following 21 points from Brayden Inger.
Derby Trailblazers continue to take care of business, ticking off their remaining games with continued success. The latest victory was a 105-75 away success against Thames Valley Cavaliers (8-15) as American Malcolm Smith (23pts) led five Derby scorers who all made it to double-digits.
Nottingham and Bradford both complete their double-header weekend on Sunday as the Hoods won 80-78.
The Dragons tried to steal the game on the buzzer but Albert Margai's triple wouldn't fall, allowing Johde Campbell's 23 points to carry the hosts to the W.
Reading Rockets (14-8) dropped costly points in the race for the top four, suffering a 77-75 home loss to 11th place Worthing Thunder (7-14).
Hafeez Abdul's 26 points helped Thunder upset the hosts, with Reading pushing five players to 12 points or more across a balanced attack.
2pm - Newcastle University 80-73 City of Birmingham Rockets - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
4pm - Barking Abbey 79-85 Bradford Dragons - LIVE STATS
6:30pm - London Elite 70-87 Essex Rebels - LIVE STATS
7pm - Hemel Storm 115-93 Nottingham Hoods - LIVE STATS
7pm - Thames Valley Cavaliers 75-105 Derby Trailblazers - LIVE STATS
3pm - Nottingham Hoods 80-78 Bradford Dragons - LIVE STATS
4pm - Reading Rockets 75-77 Worthing Thunder - LIVE STATS/LIVE STREAM
6pm - Hemel Storm 90-81 Essex Rebels - LIVE STATS
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Main image credit - Matt Cook
