THE finals of the Durham County Basketball League Cup were held at Sunderland Univeristy City Space last weekend. Pictures by Tom Banks

HARTLEPOOL HEAT stormed to a 79-65 win to add the Durham County Basketball League Division A Cup to their league title last weekend.

HEAT had two teams involved on the finals day with their senior men coming out victorious in their game against Richmond Vikings, while their Under-16 team claimed runners-up medals after their 56-67 final defeat to Mohawks Juniors.

HEAT Men were the second game of the day as they faced Richmond Vikings for the second time in four days. Captain Anthony Robinson's plan to his team was simple - outplay them outrun them and outhustle them.

Within four minutes HEAT’S explosive offensive had the Hartlepool side 16-4 up and after seven minutes they were 21-5 up as Jimi Aramide, Logan Holloman and Micah Innes all added to their personal points total.

Richmond responded with baskets late on in the quarter to cut HEATs lead to 11 after the first ten minutes.

Richmond won the second quarter by three points as both sides got to the line and missed numerous free-throws with Paul Robson and James Musgrove keeping hit ticking over alongside Innes. At half time Richmond had cut HEAT's lead to ten points with the score 41-31.

Knowing the threat Richmond could pose if they lead was cut to single figures Robinson demanded more from his side in the second half and the response was imminent as HEAT stepped up their defence and pushed the ball down the floor blowing up a 60-35 lead through Liam Hay, Aramide Innes and Holloman.

Richmond, knowing the game was slipping away, hit back though but HEAT still held a commanding 23-point lead at the end of the third.

HEAT took their foot of the gas in the fourth and Richmond capitalised, scoring 12 straight points. Just while the game looked like it was about to swing in Richmond’s favour Kieran Boagey stepped up with five points to stop the Yorkshire outfit’s momentum.

Richmond had the better quarter but more missed free throws ruined any chance of them taking the win from HEAT who finished 79-65 winners to add the League Cup to their League title honours this year.

Robinson said: “We don't think it’s sunk in yet. The team were all buzzing about winning the League alone on Wednesday but I wouldn't let them get carried away or really celebrate until we had played this game as I knew what a great achievement for our Club and town it would be if we could achieve the double.

“We have a really strong team and good work ethic and I am so proud of them all who have all shown great commitment and attitude this year to finally push us over the line.”

HEAT U16s were pushed all the way in the League title race by Mohawks who along with East Durham had really unsettled them in the their previous encounters.

This game would be no different as Mohawks showed their intent from the off and HEAT quickly found themselves on the back foot.

An Inspired response from HEAT pulled them back in to the game at 9-8 but the lead would change hands numerous times before Mohawks started to build their lead.

Moahwks’ Kalim Askari and HEAT's Andrew Busby would trade basket for basket too, both hoping to give their team the half time advantage but with Mohawks much more clinical on their finishing it would be the Tees Valley side that had a ten-point cushion at the break.

A slow start from HEAT looked like the game was over as Mohawks extended their lead to 23 points in a four minute spell that knocked HEAT for six. A time out and regroup from HEAT made the difference as the Hartlepool side responded and cut the deficit through Busby and Brynley Hudson however HEATs fightback was just too little too late as Mohawks used their cushion to run the clock down and see out the game.

In the other match-ups on the day, UCA Tigers beat Stockton Pistons 69-63 in the Division Two Cup final and Sunderland University B were triumphant in a 62-56 win over East Durham C in the Division Three Cup.