FOLLOWING a short Christmas break, the Ipswich & District Basketball League re-started last week. Holbrook Eagles took over top spot but there are now three clubs only separated by points difference.

FOLLOWING a short Christmas break, the Ipswich & District Basketball League re-started last week. Holbrook Eagles took over top spot but there are now three clubs only separated by points difference.

California Cougars introduced Leroy Manhertz into their line-up at home against the Eagles. Seven points from Joe Rudd in three minutes gave Cougars a narrow lead but then the Eagles took the initiative, gaining a double-digit lead by half time.

In the third quarter Manhertz hit ten personal to narrow the gap to two but 11 points from Cheikh Fall kept the Eagles ahead.

Cougars again hit back and narrowed it to three with almost five minutes left but nine personal from the big Tendai Simbai sealed the victory for the Eagles.

The two BT teams matched up in the only other game of the week - an easy victory for the Lasers. With six minutes gone there were only two points in it but Lasers then hit 16 without reply as Matt Ward found his way to the hoop with some regularity.

With the Jets only managing three baskets in the second quarter the game was over by half time.

This week sees fixtures in both cup and league with cup holders Brightlingsea Sledgehammers visiting Holbrook while the pick of the league fixtures is at Whitton Sports Centre when Lasers entertain Holbrook Eagles.

Bury could go back to the top if other results go their way but they will first have to overcome Colchester. The sides have met twice already with Colchester winning in the cup and Bury taking the league fixture, but both games were decided by single figures. BT Jets will be looking for their first win when they host Stowmarket Slammers.