To say that the London Lions Women's 2023-24 season was a success is a huge understatement. I watched them lift their first trophy of the season at the Trophy Cup Finals, the in-season tournament that took place in Birmingham back in January. This was just the first stroke of the quadruple picture they would go on to paint - with the league title and (impressively) the Eurocup following in the months that followed.
Having such a strong squad, however, is somewhat of a gift and a curse. The start of the WNBA season overlapping the end of the British Basketball League's, meant that 4 of the Lion's key players joined rosters across the Atlantic. Karlie Samuelson headed to the Washington Mystics, Megan Gustafson rejoined the Las Vegas Aces, Shey Peddy to the Phoenix Mercury and Temi Fagbenle with the Indiana Fever.
For the Lions, this meant heading into Sunday's Playoff Finals significantly shorthanded in comparison to the stacked team that had lifted the 3 previous trophies. Their opponents, the Newcastle Eagles, may just have fancied their chances.
The Playoff Finals took place at the prestigious O2 arena. A venue that holds its own when compared to some of the top indoor venues across the world, seating up to 20,000 fans and remaining the venue of choice for the most elite of sporting events - like when Team USA come here in July, for example. For the women's final, the arena was rocking and the Lions fed off of the energy of the London crowd - jumping to an early lead and holding it throughout. Eventually blowing out the Eagles in a 92-65 victory.
For the women's final, the arena was rocking and the Lions fed off of the energy of the London crowd - jumping to an early lead and holding it throughout. Eventually blowing out the Eagles in a 92-65 victory.
Taking into account the absence of various Lions players, their win was even more impressive. It's not just about running plays, but shaking up the chemistry that has been cultivated throughout the season, is a huge hurdle to overcome. Savannah Wilkinson, Katsiaryna Snytsina (playing the final game of her career) and sixth player of the year award winner, Abby Meyers, joined the rest of their squad to step up and bring the title to London.
Winning the quadruple is an incredible feat for the Lions. Given the uncertain nature of the future of the women's team, we at BounceWear hope that it encourages any potential investors that the women's game is paramount to the future success of basketball in the UK. As I watched with my 4-year-old daughter from the stands, I hoped that any potential path to success for her generation would remain broadly carved out. This year's success proves its value and hints that the best is yet to come.
