The 1994–95 BBL season was known as the Budweiser League for sponsorship reasons. The season featured a total of 13 teams, playing 36 games each. A major change saw the Guildford Kings franchise fold due to the club being unable to negotiate a viable contract with the owners of the Guildford Spectrum.[1] The league sold Kings' licence to a group headed by Robert Earl, Ed Simons and Harvey Goldsmith, who established the Leopards. Oldham Celtics dropped down a division to National League Division One.
Newcomers Sheffield Sharks formerly Sheffield Forgers won the regular season and claimed the title in their rookie season in addition to becoming National Cup champions. Seventh-seed Worthing Bears caused a huge upset in the post-season Play-off to take the Championship crown with a memorable victory over Manchester Giants in the final.[2] The Thames Valley Tigers secured the BBL Trophy.
Budweiser League Championship (Tier 1)Edit
Final standingsEdit
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= League winners
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= Qualified for the play-offs
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The play-offsEdit
Quarter-finalsEdit
(1) Sheffield Sharks vs. (8) Birmingham Bullets
(2) Thames Valley Tigers vs. (7) Worthing Bears
(3) London Towers vs. (6) Leopards
(4) Manchester Giants vs. (5) Doncaster Panthers
Semi-finalsEdit
| Worthing Bears |
77–73 |
Manchester Giants |
| Pts: Alan Cunningham 19, Colin Irish 19, Cleave Lewis 16, Herman Harried 16 |
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Pts: Mark Robinson 28, Kevin St Kitts 20, Cam Johnson, Trevor Gordon |
Wembley Arena, London Attendance: ? Worthing Coach Alan CunninghamManchester Coach Mike Hanks
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National League Division 1 (Tier 2)EditNational League Division 2 (Tier 3)Edit
Final standingsEdit
| Pos |
Team |
Pld |
W |
L |
% |
Pts
|
|---|
| 1 |
Cardiff Phoenix
|
20 |
18 |
2 |
0.900 |
36
|
| 2 |
Mid Sussex Magic
|
20 |
15 |
5 |
0.750 |
30
|
| 3 |
Worcester Chiefs
|
20 |
12 |
8 |
0.600 |
24
|
| 4 |
Liverpool Atac
|
20 |
12 |
8 |
0.600 |
24
|
| 5 |
Oxford Dons
|
20 |
12 |
8 |
0.600 |
24
|
| 6 |
South Bank
|
20 |
10 |
10 |
0.500 |
20
|
| 7 |
Westminster
|
20 |
9 |
11 |
0.450 |
18
|
| 8 |
Sheffield Forgers
|
20 |
8 |
12 |
0.400 |
16
|
| 9 |
Northampton 89ers
|
20 |
7 |
13 |
0.350 |
14
|
| 10 |
Stevenage Phoenix
|
20 |
5 |
15 |
0.250 |
10
|
| 11 |
Greenwich Admirals
|
20 |
2 |
18 |
0.100 |
4
|
National CupEdit
Fourth roundEdit
| Team 1
|
Team 2
|
Score
|
|---|
| Sheffield Sharks |
Derby Bucks |
57-56
|
| Hemel Hempstead Royals |
Leopards |
94-120
|
| Sunderland Scorpions |
Doncaster Panthers |
94-99
|
| Ware Rebels |
Birmingham Bullets |
94-110
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| Chester Jets |
Manchester Eagles |
78-76
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| Worthing Bears |
London Towers |
82-94
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| Crystal Palace |
Thames Valley Tigers |
60-74
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| Coventry Crusaders |
Leicester Riders |
79-83
|
Quarter-finalsEdit
| Team 1
|
Team 2
|
Score
|
|---|
| Doncaster Panthers |
Thames Valley Tigers |
59-78
|
| Leopards |
London Towers |
76-75
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| Chester Jets |
Sheffield Sharks |
73-75
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| Leicester City Riders |
Birmingham Bullets |
79-99
|
Semi-finalsEdit
| Team 1
|
Team 2
|
1st Leg
|
2nd Leg
|
|---|
| Leopards |
Thames Valley Tigers |
86-80 |
83-99
|
| Sheffield Sharks |
Birmingham Bullets |
71-72 |
73-68
|
| Sheffield Sharks |
89–66 |
Thames Valley Tigers |
| Pts: Roger Huggins 29, Todd Cauthorn 21, Chris Finch 15 |
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Pts: Steve Bucknall 24, Tony Holley 20, Peter Scantlebury 11 |
Sheffield ArenaAttendance: ? Sheffield Coach Jim Brandon Thames Valley Coach Mick Bett
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7 Up TrophyEdit
Group stageEdit
Sheffield finished ahead of Manchester by having the best head-to-head record between the teams. Thames Valley finished ahead of Birmingham by having the best head-to-head record between the teams.
Semi-finalsEdit
Doncaster Panthers vs. Sheffield Sharks
Thames Valley Tigers vs. Worthing Bears
Seasonal awardsEditReferencesEdit