Bermudian basketball player AJ Harris and his Teesside Lions came up short in a hard-fought 85-79 loss to Nottingham Athletic in men's Division Two league play in the United Kingdom. The defeat adds a challenging result to the Lions' campaign as the island product continues to gain valuable experience in the competitive English basketball scene.
Teesside leaned heavily on its top scorers, with Ryan Flauto pouring in a game-high 24 points and Luis Costa contributing 21. The duo accounted for 45 of the Lions' 79 points on the night, but their combined effort was not enough to carry the side past a determined Nottingham squad.
Nottingham matched Teesside's offensive firepower, led by Manpreet Hundal, who equalled Flauto's output with 24 points of his own. The hosts' balanced attack ultimately proved the difference in a contest that remained tight throughout, with the Lions falling just six points short at the final buzzer.
Harris, one of Bermuda's most promising young basketball talents, has been using his time in the UK collegiate and league system to develop his game against strong opposition. His performances abroad continue to be followed closely by local basketball supporters, who view his overseas stint as an important step in his development and a positive sign for the future of the sport on the island.
Bermuda