StormDome’s new year starts with visit of MK Breakers

Hemel Storm will begin life in 2026 on Saturday as the Milton Keynes Breakers make the short trip to the StormDome. Read on for all you need to know ahead of the game…

Head-to-Head Record:

Games played: 8

Storm wins: 6

Breakers: wins: 2

*All competitions, since start of 2021/22 season.

British Championship Basketball League Positions:

Storm: 11th

Breakers: 4th

Opposition Scout Report:

Talisman Jordan Spencer is again back with the Breakers after overseeing their rapid rise in recent years, and the versatile point-guard is averaging 14 points, eight assists and six rebounds per game.

American Chase Thompson has been their go-to man, averaging a team-high 16 points, and his countryman DaShawn Jackson has shown great athleticism and speed - one of four men averaging in double digits for the side.

British-American Xavier Wilson, a 6’8” forward with professional experience in Switzerland and Greece, leads the team in rebounds, while also averaging 14 points per game.

They’re coached by former Nottingham Hoods boss Ben Stanley, and also boast a selection of familiar faces from the British basketball circuit.

Blayne Freckleton, who lists Storm and Thames Valley Cavaliers among his former occupants, is into his fourth year at MK, while sharpshooter Jonas Dietrich made the move down south from Derby at the start of the season.

They’ve already travelled to the StormDome once this campaign, with Storm taking the win in the BCB Trophy matchup back in September.

Last Time Out:

Storm’s last action of 2025 saw them fall to a narrow defeat on the south coast, losing 89-88 at the hands of Worthing Thunder.

It was a much improved Storm, with new recruits on and off the court, as Mergim Sokoli made his first appearance and Tom Baker joined Jake Rothauge’s coaching team, and they led for the majority of the match.

The return of Kai Walker and Matt Norman from injury also boosted them, but a brutal Thunder comeback in the third period turned the tie on its head.

Storm rallied and had chances to win it in the fourth, but couldn’t take them and ended the year in agonising fashion.

Darien Nelson-Henry had a 22-point double-double, while Norman had 20, and Sam Newman became the first person to reach 100 BCB assists.

The Breakers headed into the festive period on a high after claiming a convincing 23-point win against Derby Trailblazers.

Thompson led the charge, registering 21 points in their 96-73 victory.

There was also 15 for Spencer, and 10 for Jackson, Dietrich and Wilson in a well-rounded team display.

Memorable Meeting:

Sunday 8th January, 2023

National Cup Semi-Final

Hemel Storm 98-93 MK Breakers

Storm won a thriller on one of the most frantic nights in the StormDome’s history in early 2023, holding off Division Three challengers to secure their spot in the National Cup Final.

The Breakers may have been the underdogs on paper, with Storm still unbeaten in Division One, but they were a club on the rise and threw everything they had at the hosts.

Storm took an early advantage but the guests worked their way back into the contest, trailing by only four ahead of the fourth quarter.

The noise from both sets of fans made for an electrifying atmosphere, but it was the home team who held on - eventually winning 98-93.

Taylor Johnson top scored with 31, while Aaryn Rai had 26 and Sam Newman 17.

Storm would go on to lift the National Cup, as well as the three other major trophies in an unforgettable, unbeaten campaign.

From The Locker Room:

Brayden Inger: “After a close game against one of the best teams in the league to finish out 2025, we aim to start 2026 with a win! 

“MK are a great team with great players, run by a great coach. Both teams have changed a lot since our meeting early in the season during the BCB Trophy so it’ll be a test of where we are at. 

“To the fans, expect us to turn our season around as we bring the energy with the goal of getting Hemel basketball back to the top.”

When, Where and How to Follow:

Tip-off at the StormDome is scheduled for 7pm on Saturday 3 January, and tickets are available to buy here. Be quick because it’s expected to be a busy night!

If you can’t make it to the game, feel free to follow along using either the livestream or livestats.

Written by Callum Humphrey