The National Sports Centre, Crystal Palace witnessed a "derby match" that will live in the memories of both teams for many years to come.

Billed as the last match of the millennium at the NSC, the two fiercest rivals in British basketball produced an intriguing contest for the near capacity crowd and the television audience.

It seemed strange at a London derby to see former coaches Cadle and Billy Mims in the TV gantry rather than courtside, and the unusual feel of the game was increased by the long-time Leopards court leader Robert Youngblood sitting in the stands, following the release from his contract earlier in the week.

For the Leopards, the good news was the return from injury, earlier than anticipated, of Jason Kidbrough.

Kidbrough was partnered in the back court by the returning Rashod Johnson, and coach Bob Donwald started the game with Mark Quashie rather than Dave Attewell.

The early minutes saw Towers Barry Bowman in sparkling form and behind his points the home team established an 18-7 lead midway through the first period.

Kidbrough collected two early fouls but coach, Donewald, realising his point guard's importance to the offence, kept him in the game.

The Leopards started to cut back the Towers early lead.

Five points from Kenya Capers meant the Towers led by seven points (31-14) at the end of the first quarter.

At the start of the second period the Leopards cut further into the lead and went ahead at 32.31 immediately after Capers took the ball to the hoop, and was fouled in the act of shooting.

The three-point play established a four-point Leopard lead.

At this point, Kidbrough collected his third foul and coach, Donewald had to bring him to the bench and replace him with Steve Ogunjimi.

At this point veteran Towers guard, Danny Lewis started to impose himself, together with England international Steve Bucknall, and Towers reduced the deficit and went on a 10-0 run.

By the half time interval, Towers were ahead by 14 points (56-42). Then Towers extended their lead to 18 before coach, Donewald, introduced Attewell into the game.

Leopards now launched a come-back with baskets from Capers and Attewell and successive baskets from Kidbrough cut the Towers' lead to nine.

The home side were now collecting fouls as both Bowman and Danny Johnson collected their fourth personal fouls.

When Brantley appeared to be fouled under the Leopards basket, Donewald was 'T'ed for his protest and the Towers went on a run that saw them ahead 78-58.

However, three successive baskets including a 'three' from Rashod Johnson brought the Leopards back to the firing range again.

The third quarter ended with the Leopards trailing by 12 points (78-66).

At the start of the fourth quarter, Attewell and Kidbrough reduced the Towers lead further and with six minutes remaining the Towers lead was down to just four points.

A Rashod Johnson three point shot finally tied matters at 90-90. Lewis put the Towers ahead only for Rashod Johnson to restore parity with a quick fast break.

When Brantley was fouled his successful foul shots gave the Leopards the lead at 94-92, but the Towers, through Henlan and Lewis, pulled ahead but Brandon Brantley ensured the game went into overtime with a foul-shot converted with seven seconds remaining on the clock. (95-95, end of regulation time).

Kidbrough took the Leopards out in front during the first overtime period and when Capers and Johnson converted successive baskets the Leopards were ahead by six points (106-100) with just two minutes, 26 seconds remaining.

However, the Towers went on a 5-0 run to trim the lead to one.

When Attwell fouled out in the final minute, Neville Austin converted one out of two from the line to tie the game at 106-106.

The Leopards had the final possession with seven seconds to convert, unfortunately the offense was indecisive, the chance was gone and the game moved into double overtime.

By this time players were bound to foul out, and much would depend on how many remained on court down the final stretch.

The Towers opened this second overtime period with a 7-0 run.

Kidbrough started to reduce the lead but when Johnson and Capers fouled out the Towers were still ahead by two points going into the final minute.

The Leopards had to foul to stop the clock but Lewis made no mistake from the foul line and the game ended with a Towers' victory by seven points, 127-120.

The Leopards left the court to a standing ovation from their supporters, as the team written off by many before the game, had produced the type of performance that has been lacking in recent matches.

The Leopards' points scorers were: Kenya Capers 40, Jason Kidbrough 27, Rashod Johnson 28, Brandon Brantley 16, Dave Attewell four, John Tresvant four, and Steve Ogunjimi one point.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.