Basketball: Cadle's record in danger
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.WEMBLEY-BASED London Towers will be reduced to spectators in their own venue for the Budweiser play-off finals in the first weekend in May unless they can transform their season in the quarter-final series against Newcastle Eagles.
Towers, the pre-season favourites to challenge Greater London Leopards for the league title, finished only sixth, lost the League Trophy final to Sheffield Sharks and were beaten in the National Cup semi-finals.
Their coach, Kevin Cadle, has won 17 titles in the last eight years, but now faces failing to win a single competition for only the second season out of 10. The Towers' record this season against third-placed Newcastle offers Cadle little encouragement for the three-game series.
The Eagles have lost only once in five games against the Towers and Cadle said: "We must be one up after tomorrow night, because trying to win twice at Newcastle could be well-nigh impossible."
The runners-up, the Birmingham Bullets, are away tonight to the Derby Storm. Mike Finger, the Bullets coach, said: "Ask any of the other coaches who they'd want to avoid in the quarter-finals and it would be Derby." Cadle might disagree, though.
Thames Valley Tigers, who finished fifth, open their series at home to Sheffield tonight and the champions, the Leopards, start at the Manchester Giants on Tuesday, when the other three ties enter the second phase.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments