Burnell waves goodbye in Storm’s season finale this Saturday

Jack Burnell waves goodbye in Hemel Storm’s final game of the 2025/26 season against Derby Trailblazers on Saturday evening. Hear from the man himself and read our full match preview below…

Head-to-Head Record: 

Games played: 11

Storm wins: 7

Trailblazers wins: 4

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

British Championship Basketball League Positions: 

Storm: 11th

Trailblazers: 8th

Opposition Scout Report: 

The Trailblazers’ place in the inaugural BCB playoffs is secure, and they’re looking to climb up the table in the final weekend of the regular season. 

Saturday’s trip to Hemel is followed by a visit from London Cavaliers on Sunday, with Kyle Henderson’s men still able to finish as high as sixth. 

Jai Pathmarajah leads their scoring after the early loss of Americans Evan Oliver and Harlond Beverly Jr. - the homegrown guard is averaging 17 points. 

Malcolm Smith departed Derby after seven seasons at the end of the last campaign, joining SLB Newcastle Eagles, but it didn’t take him long to return. He was back with the Blazers in January and has averaged 16.3 points in his 12 games since. 

Their paint presence comes from ex-Leicester Riders big Mo Walker, who is averaging 15.6 points and 8.6 rebounds, and the Blazers also raided the Riders for sharpshooter Conor Washington last summer. 

Brits Raheem May-Thompson and Rob Marsden are two dependable faces the Blazers also have to call on. 

Memorable Meeting: 

Sunday 22nd January, 2023

National Cup Final 

Hemel Storm 102-81 Derby Trailblazers

The first trophy of a memorable quadruple-winning 2022/23 season for Dru Spinks’ Storm came against Derby Trailblazers in the National Cup. 

A game-changing second quarter saw Storm score 41 points to take a 22-point lead into the half-time break, and it was enough to carry them to silverware in Manchester. 

Taylor Johnson’s 41 points saw him take the MVP title, but it was an impressive all-round performance, with birthday boy Sam Newman picking up 16 assists. 

Storm would later add the KitKing Trophy and NBL Division One regular season and playoff titles as they finished the campaign with 41 wins and zero losses. 

Last Time Out:

Some nights just play out perfectly. That was the case for Storm in Saturday’s win over Yorkshire Dragons, as Darien Nelson-Henry starred in his final outing and Jack Burnell hit a game-winning buzzer-beater in the penultimate weekend of his career. 

Burnell’s three-pointer with time rapidly ticking down secured an 89-86 win at the StormDome, sending the crowd into raptures as they celebrated the hometown hero’s success. 

It had been a tight evening up until that point, the lead never surpassing seven in either direction. 

It was the ideal way to bow out for Nelson-Henry, who secured a parting place in the BCB Team of the Week with 23 points and nine rebounds.

There were celebrations also at Derby’s Clarence Wiggins Sports Centre, but they weren’t from the hosts. 

Reading Rockets secured the league title at the Trailblazers’ expense after an extremely tight contest. 

Kyle Henderson’s side had a shot to spoil the party in the game’s final play but couldn’t convert and fell to a 73-74 defeat - their first loss in five matches. 

Walker had 20 points and 14 rebounds, and Pathmarajah had 14 points of his own. 

From The Locker Room: 

Jack Burnell: “This Saturday marks our final home game of the season against Derby - and my last dance with Hemel Storm. It’s going to be an emotional one.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone at the club for the support over the years. A special mention to Tom Baker for making my last few months of playing so fun and enjoyable.

“It’s been an incredible 10-year journey - filled with unforgettable moments, trophies, and most importantly, lifelong friendships.

“I’m looking forward to sharing this last dance and celebrating with you all 💙”

When, Where and How to Follow: 

Tickets are available for your final chance to watch Burnell in a Storm shirt on the Fanbase app, with tip-off at Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre 7pm. 

If you can’t make it to the game, make sure you don’t miss out by following along on our livestream or with the livestats. 

Written by Callum Humphrey