Bradford Dragons beaten by Hemel Storm in thrilling semi

The Dragons had won the first of those 80-70, in the KitKing Trophy, to reach their first-ever major final, which they went on to lose to Derby Trailblazers.

But in the National Basketball League Division One semi-final last weekend, Hemel exacted revenge.  

In another epic encounter between these two teams, the result was only decided in the final seconds, with Bradford frustratingly on the wrong end of an 80-79 scoreline.

Both sides had won their away fixtures against each other in the regular league season, which would have raised the Dragons’ hopes heading into the semi-final.

And having surprisingly brushed aside second seeds Essex Rebels in their play-off quarter final, the Dragons were in confident mood in the leadup to Saturday's fixture.

Hemel held the home advantage, on the strength of their higher seeding, based on the sides’ final league positions, with Storm coming third and Bradford finishing seventh.

Hemel earned their semi-final placing with a ten-point home victory against Loughborough Riders the previous week.

It was Bradford that put the first points on the board on Saturday, taking an early four-point lead with scores from Ronald Blain and Zion Tordoff.

Ronald Blain helped ensure the Dragons got off to a bright start at Hemel in their play-off semi-final. (Image: Peter Simmons.)

However this was quickly overturned by Hemel, who then built up a three point advantage of their own to lead 7-4.

But the opening quarter remained close throughout and with just over a minute remaining the Dragons held a slim 23-22 advantage following a trey from Joe Buchanan.

But, before the period came to a close, the home side clawed themselves ahead and led 27-23 at the first buzzer.

Tordoff closed the gap to two points early in the second quarter. However, that was Bradford’s only score in the opening three minutes, during which Hemel opened up a 35-25 lead.

This fluctuated between seven and 13 points for the remainder of the half and when the sides returned to the locker rooms at half-time, the home side held a strong 53-42 advantage.

At the restart, Jordan Whelan sank a quick trey to reduce the deficit, but the sides matched one another throughout.

With just 43 seconds on the clock, Micah Savery-Richards pulled the Dragons back to within five points.

But Hemel pulled away again before the penultimate period closed with the home side 10 points clear at 69-59 in front.

Into the final quarter and the home side's lead was quickly extended and they led 77-63 four minutes in.

But then Whelan sank a trey and followed it up with a two to reduce the deficit to nine, causing Hemel’s coach to call an immediate timeout.

But even that wasn’t enough to stop Bradford’s momentum as Blain sank a lay-up to further reduce the gap to 77-70.

With just three minutes of the game remaining, Bradford moved within five points and with just under two minutes left, Hemel only led 78-75 after Whelan sank two free throws from the foul line.

Next it was Justin Williams to sink a layup. Then, with just 43 seconds to go, Tordoff popped in a two to complete the turnaround and unbelievably gave the Dragons a 79-78 lead.

But 20 seconds later, a foul by Rihards Sulcs sent Hemel to the line and they didn’t waste the chance to regain the lead, sinking both penalty throws.

As a last throw of the dice, Chris Mellor called for a time out, to set up the final play with his side.

With just under two seconds left on the clock, Sulcs was on the receiving end of a foul.

With play restarting from the sideline, the ball was played to Williams who rose to take a three point jump shot with 0.1 seconds to go.

As the crowd held their breath, the ball struck the board and, to the Dragons’ despair, bounced back off the rim, giving the home side the slimmest of victories.

Whelan registered the game high score, netting 28 points for Bradford.

Jordan Whelan scored more points than anyone on the court last Saturday, but it was not quite enough for Bradford to claim victory and reach the final. (Image: Kristelle Templonuevo.)

Williams followed up with 15 points, also adding four assists and three steals to his stats.

Tordoff registered another double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Blain was also in double figures with 10 points.

As a reward for their victory, Hemel now travel to Manchester tomorrow, where they will meet Reading Rockets in the grand final fixture to close out the 2023-24 season.

Fourth-seed Reading stunned the top seeds, Derby Trailblazers, in another semi-final thriller, which ended 87-84 in the Rockets’ favour.

There was at least something to cheer for the Dragons last night, as they hosted their end of season awards evening at Fields Sports and Social Club in Clayton.

The evening brought together the whole club, including the juniors, academy, Dragons 3 and the Division One side.