The sobriety came almost literally from the mouths of the players of Heroes after the win over Leiden. Den Bosch surprisingly and cleverly won the first game in the battle for the championship. It was 83-92 in Leiden. Austin Price was the best with 28 points. “This victory is only worth something if we also win the second at home on Monday.”
“We really came together as a team in the fourth quarter,” Price said afterwards. The final quarter of the game started with a tie (69-69). Den Bosch first came behind before the team tightened the reins defensively and Price was very satisfied with that. “Our 23-14 final sprint tells the story.”
The match was tense for a long time, but Heroes had taken a lead of ten points three times and lost it again. Thomas van der Mars, the center of Heroes, gave the credit to the opponent for this. “Leiden is just a good team, but we fought very hard for this victory.”
Sharpshooter Price was the best man on the field and indefensible at times. “But it’s not about me, my teammates just thought I was good.” There was also an important role for Shane Hammink who had some nice scores in the final phase of the match and took his team against the defending champion where his father is a coach.
In the final, the team that wins three games first is the new champion. Van der Mars good for 13 points and 7 rebounds did not want to hear anything about congratulations. “It’s only 1-0!” No cheering noises came from the dressing room and Price also remained sober. “On Monday there is another game and we have to win it.”
ALSO READ: Same poster, same result? Heroes want to become champions again