Basketball: Kings win play-offs to clinch double and target treble

Edinburgh KINGS completed a double when they added the new National Play-Offs crown to their Scottish League basketball title with another comprehensive 93-62 victory over St Mirren at the Peak Centre, Stirling.

With St Mirren again providing the opposition in the Scottish Cup Final at the Pleasance Sports Centre, Edinburgh University this coming Saturday evening, few would bet against the Capital club making sporting history by netting the treble.

Perhaps Saints had used up too much energy in upsetting favourites Falkirk Fury 91-84 in their semi-final on Saturday afternoon for, apart from a reasonably bright first quarter, after which they trailed by eight, the Paisley side gradually slipped behind to trail 46-28 at half-time and 72-40 after the third quarter.

Kings were certainly helped by the return of Mike Kirkpatrick who had missed their Friday night 70-51 semi-final win over Glasgow University.

Ed Rekis added 22 points, Simon Flockhart, top scorer with 24 against Glasgow, had another ten, while Paddy Campbell shot 13, all in the third quarter, and Lee Reilly ten.

Kings cadets were unable to repeat their Cup victory over Tayside Musketeers who won the Play-Off title 68-63, while Edinburgh Kool Kats junior women went out in the semi- finals to eventual winners Falkirk Fury.