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Basketball: Leicester Riders success a dream come true

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This season has been more than Leicester Riders could ever have wished for, says director Kevin Routledge.

They completed their most successful-ever campaign with victory in the BBL Play-off final at Wembley, on Sunday.

They defeated Newcastle Eagles 68-57 in a repeat of last year's final, which saw Riders come away empty-handed.

The victory sees Riders clinch three out of the four domestic titles this season, with the BBL Championship and Cup titles already in their cabinet.

It was just the BBL Trophy that eluded them – they lost to Sheffield Sharks in the final in March to finish runners-up.

Routledge said to end the season with another piece of silverware, 12 years since they last won a domestic trophy, was the icing on the cake.

"I thought things couldn't get any better this season but this surpasses everything," he said.

"Coming back to Wembley, the last time it was here we won, and that was a fairytale. But this is a dream come true.

"It's just sensational – they have been an unbelievable team all year. Rob (Paternostro) has done an incredible job with them and just the sheer will to win has been massively impressive.

"It is more than we could ever have wished for.

"We have been one of those teams that has been persistent but never really reached that highest level, but this year it has all come together.

"I feel we have deserved it, the amount of work that has been put in by Russell (Leveston) and the team in the office, and the work on the court by Rob and his team, it has been unbelievable."

The shining light for Riders was Team GB Olympic captain Drew Sullivan.

The BBL player of the year's phenomenal performance, racking up 24 points, saw him handed the MVP accolade.

"He is the class of the team and he came out as the class of the league," said Routledge.

"He was MVP on Sunday and he deserved everything that came his way this year. He was just incredible.

"He personifies the will to win. You could see the way he rallies the team and the way, when something is needed, he comes up with it. Whether it is a play, or a defensive block, he always manages to dig something out.

"There are not many players who can raise their game like that and Drew Sullivan shows why he is the best player in the BBL and has been for a number of years."

Routledge also paid tribute to the incredible support Riders have received throughout the whole campaign.

"What has been really great has been the way the Leicester public has supported us this season," he said.

"The interest has grown, and we saw the best part of 1,000 people come down to support us.

"We are never going to forget this season because it really has surpassed all expectations."

Basketball: Leicester Riders success a dream come true


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