TEAM Solent Kestrels secured a fourth straight victory over Essex Rebels this season after a 119-44 victory in NBL Division One.

The win, along with Nottingham Hoods defeating Thames Valley Cavaliers, sees TSK crowned as the regular season champions for a fourth consecutive season, writes Jack O'Keeffe.

Kestrels wasted no time in taking control of the ball game as Cole Gentry powered a 10-0 run, with six of his own, to open the game. Former Itchen College Forward Tyreese Hudson stopped the drought for the visitors but it would get worse as another 10-0 run, kickstarted by a Brendan Okoronkwo triple, pushed the lead to 20-2 with just five minutes played.

The sides traded scores over the following two minutes, before Kestrels used a 12-2 run to close the quarter behind some excellent Kemel Archer play in the paint, 34-10 TSK after one.

Max Richardson and Chris Scarlett scored five quick points to push the arrears to 29 early in the second and TSK would show no signs of taking their foot off the gas.

Essex American Matt Ashley opened the Rebels scoring for the second with a lay up but another 7-0 run for the Kestrels left the scoreline at 46-12 with seven minutes left in the half. The hosts continued in free scoring mood for the remainder of the half as Arissol and Archer provided much of the scoring punch, including a thunderous one handed slam to lift the roof off the SSC at the end of the half, 67-17 Kestrels in charge at the break.

It was a back and forth start to the half as Richardson scored four early points for TSK whilst Josh Moore and Tom Child ticked the scoreboard over for Essex.

Kestrels strung together one of their most devastating scoring runs of the season through the third, to the tune of 19-0 as they continued to get balanced contributions from right across the roster. Kestrels would lead 96-26 with 10 minutes to play.

The pace of the game inevitable slowed down in the fourth but that did not stop both sides scoring freely. Hudson would score four early points in the period as he continued to show promise in the paint, however Travis Charles would also continue to prove too much inside for the Rebels as he practically lived at the foul line all game.

Kai Walker came off the bench to score five quick points and when Elias Poorman scored late, he ensured that all 11 TSK players got on the box score. Kestrels running out 119-44 winners, improving to 20-2 and wrapping up the NBL D1 league title.

“I’m so proud of our organisation that we have been able to secure this historic fourth league title," said Kestrels head coach Matt Guymon.

"It is a credit to all our players, staff, fans that have created an environment that has allowed us to maintain this consistency.

"This was a challenging year, with a number of injuries, but throughout it all, the players have stayed together and kept belief which is a testament to the performance mindset of the group.

"We look forward to finishing the regular season on a high as we continue to prepare for the play-offs.”

Kestrels boasted six players in double figures as Archer led the way with 19 points and eight rebounds whilst Charles added 18 and 9 rebounds and Arissol 16 points. Essex Rebels' Josh Moore had nine points with Rory Winter and Hudson adding eight apiece.