Tees Valley Mohawks vs Bath Basketball: NBL Division 2 Playoff Quarter-final preview

The Tees Valley Mohawks huddling before a game.

The NBL Division 2 Playoffs are here, featuring a high-stakes clash between Tees Valley Mohawks (Pool A) and Bath Basketball (Pool C). To reach this stage, teams must finish in the top two of their respective regional pools. The Mohawks enter as slight favorites after securing the #1 seed in Pool A, while Bath travels north after a strong second-place finish in Pool C.

The game will take place at the Mohawks' home venue at Middlesbrough College on Sunday 29th March, tip-off is at 2pm.

The home crowd will be a huge advantage for the Mohawks. The commute could also be a significant factor; according to Google Maps, Bath is 275 miles away from Middlesbrough. An early start followed by hours of idle legs on public or team transport could severely affect Bath’s early-game energy and rhythm.

Mohawks chairman Steve Butler shared his thoughts ahead of the matchup:

"It's a big game and the stakes are high with this being a knockout match. We have played really well this season, as shown by us finishing as the top seed in our pool. We have done our research on Bath and what they do well. Ultimately, it will be about playing to our own strengths and starting the game strongly. I believe this could be the start of a special playoff campaign."

Key Player Matchup

Feature	Lewis Butler (Tees Valley)	Shannon Cooper (Bath)
Regular Season PPG	17.3	18.9
Total Points	312 (2nd in Pool A)	341 (2nd in Pool C)
Primary Position	Point Guard / Wing	Point Guard / Shooting Guard
Playstyle	Versatile, high-volume scorer	Isolation-heavy, 3-point specialist

Tees Valley Mohawks

Lewis Butler has been the engine for the Mohawks. After being named the 2024/25 Senior Player of the Year, his stellar 2025/26 campaign makes him a frontrunner to retain the accolade. His ability to fire early and play across multiple positions will be vital for a Mohawks victory.

Bath Basketball

On the other side, Shannon Cooper is the undisputed showman for Bath. With a heavy emphasis on isolation plays and a dangerous perimeter game—netting 25 three-pointers during the regular season—his offensive output will be the deciding factor for Bath.

Team playstyles

Tees Valley Mohawks

• Offensive Philosophy: Inside-Out Versatility. The Mohawks focus on high-percentage looks. While Lewis Butler is their spearhead, they utilize his ability to play multiple positions (PG to Wing) to create mismatches. If a smaller guard switches onto him, they post him up; if a slower big covers him, he attacks from the perimeter.

  
  

• Tempo: Controlled Aggression. As the #1 seed, they prefer to dictate the pace. They use a strong transition game but are highly disciplined in the half-court, looking for the extra pass to find the open man.

  
  

• Defensive Identity: Research-Driven Lockdown. Chairman Steve Butler emphasized doing research on Bath. Expect a deny defense on Shannon Cooper, likely using a Box and 1 or heavy hedging on screens to force the ball out of his hands and make Bath’s secondary players beat them.

Bath Basketball

• Offensive Philosophy: Iso-Heavy & Perimeter-Centric. Bath’s offense lives and dies by Shannon Cooper. They run a heavy amount of High Pick-and-Roll and isolation sets designed to give Cooper space. With 25 three-pointers in the regular season, they are not afraid to take—and make—contested shots from deep.

  
  

• Tempo: High-Variance Streakiness Bath often utilizes a shorter rotation and a fast, run-and-gun style of play. This high-ceiling, low-floor approach relies heavily on their technically gifted players and their ability to make effective, split-second decisions. While this style can overwhelm opponents when shots are falling, it carries the risk of high turnover rates if the execution falters.

  
  

• Defensive Identity: Opportunistic Pressure. Bath often relies on their offensive momentum to fuel their defense. They may employ a full-court press after made baskets to disrupt the Mohawks' point guards and prevent them from setting up their structured half-court sets.