ANOTHER superb night’s entertainment at Sport Central saw the Newcastle Eagles remain top of the BBL after a sparkling performance.

At what price, though, did the win come with the biggest news of the night a potential disastrous problem for the Eagles – an injury to their hot-shot Joe Chapman.

The Chicago-born guard is someone the Newcastle faithful have taken to their hearts, affectionately calling him Geordie Joe.

However, with just over seven minutes of the game to go and the Eagles up by 22 points, an off-the-ball collision saw Chapman taken away in a wheelchair.

The injury looked a serious one with his ankle heavily taped and the player looking in distress.

With head coach Fab Flournoy already sidelined as both a sideline caller and player, this is a serious blow to the Eagles.

While there was no early prognosis, it looks unlikely Chapman will be fit enough to travel to Glasgow for a huge game in 48 hours’ time. That is something for the backroom staff and officials to look at in the cold light of day.

When they do, they can focus in on the fact that, again under acting head coach Dave Forrester’s guidance, the men in black marched on at the top of the British Basketball League table.

The Eagles had huge performances right across the board with Charles Smith leading the way with a spectacular shooting display netting 36 points.