The Solent Kestrels made it six wins out of six to start their National Basketball League Division 1 campaign after beating Barking Abbey 72-63 on Saturday night.
Jordan Simpson capped off a dream home debut by scoring 26 points, while last season’s MVP Andre Arissol also starred in an intense encounter rich in quality.
The Kestrels faced mounting pressure from the visitors after forward Ash Briggs got ejected in the third quarter following two technical fouls.
Despite what became a tense finish, the hosts held firm to secure the win, fuelling excitement that back-to-back trebles could soon become a reality.
Such an achievement would be remarkable for a side that underwent a significant summer overhaul, losing the majority of last season’s stars while retaining just four players from the previous first-team squad.
To help bridge this gap, many of the younger players live together in shared accommodation – a deliberate strategy designed to help them adapt quickly and build team chemistry both on and off the court.
