1988–89 British Basketball League season


The 1988–1989 BBL season was the second season of the British Basketball League since its establishment in 1987. The season featured a total of 11 teams, playing 20 games each. The league had suffered in the 1989 close season because Portsmouth was wound up followed by Calderdale Explorers and Birmingham Bullets both dropping out of the league. Bolton and Bury Giants became the Olympic City Giants and Kingston moved north of the border playing as Glasgow Rangers. The new season was supposed to feature 12 teams, however Oldham Celtics dropped out of the league and into the National League after just one game, due to financial difficulties.
The season was dominated by the success of the league's two Scottish teams Glasgow Rangers and Livingston, who finished the regular season in first and second place respectively. Glasgow's Kevin Cadle and Alan Cunningham were also named as the league's Coach and Player of the year, however the Scottish dominance was broken by Bracknell Tigers who were victorious in the League Trophy against Livingston in the Final.
Below the Carlsberg League in the National League Division 1, it came as no surprise that Oldham Celtics sealed the title bearing in mind that they had originally planned to play in the top tier.

Carlsberg League (Tier 1)

Final standings


PosTeamPldWL%Pts
1Glasgow Rangers201820.90036
2Livingston201640.80032
3Bracknell Tigers201550.75030
4Leicester City Riders201460.70028
5Manchester Eagles201370.65026
6Sunderland 76ers201280.60024
7Hemel Royals209110.45018
8Olympic City Giants204160.2008
9Solent Stars204160.2008
10Derby Rams203170.1506
11Crystal Palace202180.1004



Play-offs

Quarter-finals

Glasgow Rangers vs. Olympic City Giants
Livingston vs. Hemel Royals
Sunderland 76ers vs. Bracknell Tigers
Leicester City Riders vs. Manchester Eagles

Semi-finals

Third place

Final

National League Division 1 (Tier 2)

, Brixton TopCats, Cheshire Jets, Corby Flyers, Gateshead Vikings, Oldham Celtics, Oxford Park, Plymouth Raiders, Stockport Giants, Tower Hamlets, Worthing Bears

[Coca-Cola] National Cup

Second Round

Quarter Finals

+ Derby expelled after match was abandoned following a scuffle

Semi Finals

Final

NatWest Trophy

Group stage


North Group
TeamPtsPldWLPercent
1. Glasgow Rangers20101001.000
2. Livingston1610820.800
3. Manchester Eagles1010550.500
4. Olympic City Giants1010550.500
5. Sunderland 76ers410280.200
6. Oldham Celtics0100100.000



South Group
TeamPtsPldWLPercent
1. Bracknell Tigers1810910.900
2. Leicester City Riders1410730.700
3. Solent Stars1210640.600
4. Derby Rams610370.300
5. Hemel Royals610370.300
6. Crystal Palace410280.200


Despite dropping out of the Carlsberg League and into the National League after just one game of the season, Oldham Celtics continued their schedule in the League Trophy.

Quarter-finals

Glasgow Rangers vs. Olympic City Giants
Livingston vs. Manchester Eagles
Bracknell Tigers vs. Derby Rams
Leicester City Riders vs. Solent Stars

Semi-finals

Glasgow Rangers vs. Livingston
Bracknell Tigers vs. Leicester City Riders

Final

Seasonal awards