Sheffield Hatters completed a historic domestic quadruple after beating Caledonia Gladiators 73-66 in the Super League Basketball play-off final at the O2 Arena.
Having already lifted the SLB Trophy, Cup and Championship title earlier in the season, the Hatters added the play-off crown to seal one of the most dominant campaigns in recent British basketball history.
Sheffield took control early and never allowed the Gladiators to settle into the game. Antoinette Lewis led the charge in the opening quarter with nine points as Caledonia struggled to create quality scoring opportunities.
The Gladiators were repeatedly forced into long-range attempts, while Sheffield’s aggressive defence disrupted their rhythm throughout the first half.
The Hatters extended their advantage in the second quarter through key contributions from Jess Eadsforth-Yates and Nina Krisper, opening up a 14-point lead before halftime.
Caledonia’s problems were compounded by 17 turnovers in the opening half, making it difficult for them to build any sustained momentum against Sheffield’s disciplined defensive setup.
The Gladiators attempted to increase the tempo after the break, but the Hatters continued to control the game on both ends of the floor.
League MVP Megan Mullings played a major role in maintaining Sheffield’s advantage, repeatedly breaking up attacks before converting important baskets to stretch the lead to 17 points.
Caledonia mounted a spirited comeback in the final quarter, sparked by strong scoring runs from Tess Amundsen and Anastasia Warren.
The Gladiators reduced the deficit to just three points with under two minutes remaining, threatening an unlikely turnaround.
However, Sheffield remained composed in the closing stages to secure victory and complete a memorable season that firmly established the Hatters as the dominant force in Super League Basketball.
