1997–98 British Basketball League season Final – Richmond 82 Plymouth 67 Play Off Final – Solent 70 London Towers 68 Northern Group Southern Group Sheffield finished ahead of Chester and Derby by having the best record in matches between the three teams and qualify as fourth-placed finishers with the best record ahead of Watford on basket difference. London Towers received a bye into Quarter-finals. Greater London Leopards vs. Thames Valley Tigers London Towers vs. Manchester Giants Newcastle Eagles vs. Birmingham Bullets Sheffield Sharks vs. Leicester Riders London Towers vs. Newcastle Eagles Sheffield Sharks vs. Greater London Leopards 1997–98 British Basketball League season The 1997–1998 BBL
Basketball in England Basketball in England Basketball has a very long history in England, being introduced there by the YMCA almost immediately after it was invented (having been created by the Canadian Dr. James Naismith in 1891 in Massachusetts). World War I and II further spurred its popularity. The four highest profile team sports in the United Kingdom are football, cricket, rugby union and rugby league. Basketball belongs to the next tier alongside ice hockey; it has a dedicated following, but attracts little coverage from the major British media outlets. The elite league is the fully professional British Basketball League, featuring teams from