Basketball: Bett deflects the accolades
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.THE final shuffle of the Budweiser League pack sorts out the play-off line-up this weekend, leaving Mick Bett, coach of the champions, Thames Valley Tigers, to reflect on his club's first league title and survey the coaching carnage which saw another of his colleagues ousted this week. Derby Bucks, whose best-of- three quarter-final series against Tigers is the only definite tie of the round, sacked Terry Manghum on Wednesday after six defeats in seven games, writes Duncan Hooper.
The irony will not be lost on Bett, whose club's owner, John Nike, has never been patient with the failure of his coaches. Bett, typically, deflects on to his players the accolade for lifting two league tropies and now the league championship in the past two seasons. 'We must be about the smallest team to win the league, so that says a lot for their heart,' he said.
Now Tigers aim for their first play-off title, to be played at Wembley on 31 April and 1 May for the four survivors from the quarter-finals. In the last eight, Worthing, Manchester and Guildford joined Tigers in having home advantage, but places 5-7 will be settled between London, Leicester and Birmingham this weekend.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments