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Regional | Basketball

Southland Sharks 2018 NBL champions

The Southland Sharks have been declared champions of the National Basketball League.

The Sharks beat league favourites, the Wellington Saints 98-96 in the final to claim their third title in club history.

Sharks captain Reuben Te Rangi led the way for last year's runners-up, scoring 26 points.

Southland maintained the lead throughout the final, but a stunning surge from Wellington saw the defending champions within three points with less than a minute remaining.

Veteran Leon Henry had a chance to steal the victory with a three-point effort, but missed before the follow up put-back by Shaun Bruce came up short as time expired.

Te Rangi took out top scorer, another haul to add to his team's honours.