IF THURSDAY NIGHT was anything to go by, then Clapham stand in good stead for another finals run.
Jeremy Gill hit successive treys to spark a game-changing 21-12 third-quarter run as Act II Popcorn Clapham Bulls downed First Works Warriors 68-58 at the Wildey Gym in a possible first-round preview of basketball’s Premier League postseason.
The win guaranteed that Clapham (14-4) will drop no lower than second, ensuring Bulls avoid an unfavourable first-round series against a red hot Lakers (15-4) side that’s won its last nine games.
This was after Clapham trailed by as many as eight points (15-24) in the first quarter following Jamar Headley’s opening eight-point outburst.
But Bulls rallied in the second quarter, even with Gill on the bench, as Sean Parris, Nicholas Jones and Kodia Leacock combined for 15 points to get Clapham within three (32-35).
Gill then returned to put the cap on the run, sinking long-range bombs while finding the perfect foil in Halley Franklyn to put Bulls ahead 53-47.
Warriors (13-6) never seriously threatened thereafter, having rested former MVP Corey McDonald in the fourth period in preparation for next week’s play-offs.
Gill finished with 20 points and Franklyn added 12, while Headley led Warriors with 21 points and 16 boards.
Warriors will close their regular season tomorrow against fourth-placed Jackson in a game that will decide who earns the third seed, while Bulls will play Lakers tonight with the postseason’s top spot on the line.
