WHEN Mark Rangeley trotted up to the free throw line with under a second on the clock, Spinners were already assured a place in the semifinal but that didn’t stop him from letting out a triumphant yell for the win – and for Josh, writes Allen Gunn.

The SuperJosh Charity has been a driving force this season for Lancashire Spinners and Rangeley hopes the team can press on past semifinal opponent Ipswich to honour Joshua Wilson’s memory.

Josh died aged 14 on November 3 after a 10-year brain tumour journey.

Spinners would immediately begin paying tribute their late friend, defeating Derbyshire Arrows 89-88 on a buzzer beating three-pointer by Andre Gayle.

Rangeley said, “Josh and his charity mean an awful lot to every member of this team. To see his mum and the charity at our games is a massive boost.

“They always say do it for Josh, which is a lot of pressure but we like to do that and we always seem to come through.

“Ultimately, we are playing for something more. We have a chance to celebrate Josh’s life by doing something we enjoy. Josh loved basketball and he is a part of our team.”

Rangeley would go on to knock down both free throw attempts against Brixton Topcats casting no doubt on an 85-80 scoreline as the crowd inside ‘The Castle’ erupted.

And as the second-seed in the Division Two playoffs, Lancashire earned the privilege to host third-seed Ipswich on April 11 for the right to go to the finals.

On home court advantage, Rangeley said, “It’s huge. I don’t think the fans understand how important they are to us during the game. It’s like having another player.

“To hear them cheering and shouting behind us really spurs you on and as for home court, it’s having those fans that helps the Castle is a hard place to come and win.

“We always joke about it as a team but it really is our little fortress.”

Spinners are 10-1 at Bury’s Castle Leisure Centre, a place that grows electric with each make and tenser with each miss.

And although Ipswich has not been visitors this season, Spinners did win the sole meeting between the two teams in February where Steve Vaughan led the team with 19 points.

The centre is expected be a big factor again against an Ipswich side that won comfortably over Derbyshire Arrows 97-80 at home but has been a marginally different team on the road.

Ipswich was 7-4 away from Copleston Sports Centre while averaging two points less than their season average of 85.6 points per game.

They also don’t have the secret weapon of Josh’s memory or the Castle crowd on their side.

Josh’s mum, Dawn Fidler, would be proud to know the impact her son had on Spinners.

Rangeley said, “For all the words that could be used, I think fun is the best one. Our team is a family and without a doubt we love to have fun in life and when we play.”