TITANS have secured the JBBA Championship by way of a thrilling 48-45 win in the deciding game against the Squirrels, to take the overall series 2-1.
For Titans captain Jake Michel it “meant a lot” to get over the line, especially after dropping the opening game.
“I’m pretty relieved to be honest,” he said.
“We knew we had the team to win, but the Squirrels didn’t make it easy.
“Considering we lost game one and they beat us in the league as well, this is a very satisfying victory.”
The scoreline of the deciding match was considerably lower than the first two.
Game one went the way of Squirrels 66-63, with Titans levelling the series with a 75-69 in the second.
It was a tense start, with both teams sizing each other up, but Titans took a narrow 11-10 lead after the opening quarter.
As the game started to become more physical in the second quarter, Titans seized command and opened up a five-point lead, walking off at half time with a 26-19 advantage.
Both Michel and Squirrels’ Cameron Stables traded blows, orchestrating their respective teams. Stables got the better of his Island teammate, however, as the oranges fought to close the gap to just two points entering the last quarter.
The duel ebbed and flowed, but the Titans wrestled back momentum through Michel, who hit a clutch three-pointer with two minutes remaining.
Stables answered back under pressure from the tall Titans defence with just 20 seconds left, but Michel’s successful free throw put the scoreline out of reach and the stunning comeback series victory was complete.
“After we won game two, I felt the momentum had swung our way,” continued Michel.
“We took them on and it worked, so we knew that was our way of beating them.
“I wanted to work as hard as I could to contribute to the team and I’m delighted with the win.”
Squirrels star man Stables said: “I’m disappointed to be honest, but we played an excellent season overall.
“We struggled with a small squad in this last game, but that’s not an excuse. Titans played a great game as well.
“Both teams traded buckets throughout; I think it could have gone either way.
“I’m so proud of our group and the position Jersey Basketball in general is moving.
“We have some excellent players on Island and we can now prepare for the inter-insular in May, which will be awesome on home soil.”
Squirrels: Cameron Stables, Miguel Martins, Josh McDowell, Jenson Holmes, Marc Bryant, Joe Jackson, Josh Hearmon, Paul Milbank, Luke Sette, Jack Searson
Titans: Milo Kutvolgyi, Ben Kutvolgyi, Richard Moniz, Vincent Grimault, Antonio Faia, Muhammed Anaja, Jake Michel, Bardia Bonakdar
