Month: April 2018

Manchester Mystics U11 Northants Tournament 2018

Mystics Triumph at Northants Invitational

Yet another journey to Northants led to a resounding success for our Under 11 (Primary School only) Mystics team on Saturday 21st April.

With five teams competing, we had a Round Robin Tournament with each team playing the other four.

Mystics U11 results:

Manchester 35 – 21 Ipswich

Manchester 51 – 1 Bucks

Manchester 26 – 13 Northants

Manchester 45 – 24 Sheffield

The young girls were a credit to the Club, playing very hard and fair and winning all games comfortably with spirited performances.

The future looks bright for the Mystics programme if these girls continue to perform like this. Well done to them and to the parents for their continued support and encouragement.

Team

Kady Bamford, Maria Bianco, Ciara Collier, Tallulah Connolly, Carina Costa, Elizandra Costa, Molly Finn, Ruby Gillespie, Rae Hughes and Maisie Keyes.

Manchester Mystics U11 at Northants

Image Credit: Ben Hughes

Aaron Menzies NBA draft 2018

Magic and Loreto Alumni Menzies declares for 2018 NBA draft

Former Manchester Magic and Loreto College player Aaron Menzies has announced that he will declare for the 2018 NBA Draft.

The 7ft 3in star only started playing basketball at 16 after being spotted walking down a corridor at Loreto Sixth Form College by Magic senior head coach Paul Middleton.

Now 21, Menzies is currently breaking records at Seattle University in the United States.

A former Great Britain U20 International, Menzies told the Seattle University website that he did not intend to hire an agent, allowing him to retrain his final season of collegiate eligibility.

“This is a great opportunity that will allow me to pursue my dream of playing professional basketball,” he said.

“This process gives me the chance to gain valuable feedback about my career moving forward whilst preserving my NCAA eligibility.”

Menzies averaged 11.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 26.9 minutes per game as Seattle won 20 games in the 2017/18 season.

You can find out more about Aaron’s statistics by clicking here.

You can watch talking about his basketball career by clicking here.

You can watch Aaron in action for the Magic by clicking here. 

Image Credit: Seattle University

Kaiyem Cleary Florida Southern

Cleary books NCAA ticket by joining Florida Southern

Kaiyem Cleary is the latest Manchester Magic player to secure his place in the NCAA, this time with Division Two college Florida Southern.

The 19-year-old guard and former Loreto College student left the Magic a year ago to attend Redemption Christian Academy in Northfield, Massachusetts

Now, after winning a new legion of fans across the Atlantic, the Greater Britain U18 international has secured a move from prep school to the Mocs, who play in the Sunshine State Conference.

In a post on Twitter, the 6ft 6in Cleary praised the coaching staff at Manchester Magic for “developing me into the player and person I am today”.

He also thanked his family and team-mates for their support.

Chance to catch up with Magic legend Lovedale

We have been given a fantastic opportunity to catch up with Andrew Lovedale, a former Manchester Magic and Loreto Basketball Academy player. He will be talking about his life at the ABC on Tuesday 24th April from 8:15pm. For those that may not know who Andrew is, here’s a quick summary…

Andrew visited London from Nigeria, heard about Magic’s reputation and attended one of our camps. Raw but very talented, he ended up moving to Manchester, where he studied and played. He represented Magic junior and senior teams before winning a place at famed US college Davidson. There, he played alongside a certain Steph Curry. Andrew was a very good player in his own right and played pro basketball in France. Now he runs a charity that works to improve lives in his homeland. He credits Magic and Joe Forber for helping him grow on and off the court.

More about Andrew’s background can be found here: https://a2sfoundation.org/story/

“I think this is a wonderful chance for current U18 and U16 players to hear from someone who has come through the basketball programme here, someone who has a real story to tell,” said Magic and Mystics CEO Phil Gordos.

“Andrew is making a special journey to Manchester while in the UK, so it would be brilliant if we could make sure there is a great turnout for him. We’ll be urging all teams who train on Tuesday night to stay for up to an hour afterwards. Those U16 teams who don’t train on Tuesday are more than welcome to attend, too.”

Image credits: A2S Foundation

Michael Anumber Winthrop

Anumba ready to woo Winthrop

Micheal Anumba is the latest player off the Manchester Magic and Loreto Basketball Academy production line to make it to the United States.

The 18-year-old point guard has received a full scholarship to attend Winthrop University, a NCAA Division One college in South Carolina.

We asked him why he chose the Eagles….

MA: “Because of the education and the basketball. Both are very good. I was very impressed with the coach when I went out to visit, too. I love his passion and how hard he works. The facilities are also amazing. The court is just beautiful.”

Why did Winthrop choose you?

MA: “The coach said I’ve got ABC. I’ve got academics, basketball and character. He said I was the perfect player to fit into the Winthrop programme.”

What else did you like about Winthrop?

MA: “I loved how much they wanted me and how much work they put into recruiting. They have other players from all around the world and it felt like one big family. It’s also sunny and hot. When I went out there earlier in the year, it was 20 degrees.”

What are you expecting in your first year?

MA: “I’m going to work hard and earn everyone’s respect. I want to make the team better and become part of the Winthrop family. It’s an experience I’m really looking forward to.”

How has playing for Magic and Loreto prepared you?

MA: “Being coached by Paul (Middleton) and Pete (Paraskeva) has shaped me as a player and as a person. I want to thank them, Magic and Loreto for the opportunities they have given me and for making me the player I am. They have made me a leader and I want to be able to continue my development when I get to Winthrop.”

What will you be studying?

MA: “Accounting and finance.”

What will you miss most about Manchester?

MA: “Definitely not the weather. I’ll miss how much people care about me.”

Winthrop announced Michael’s signing on their twitter account

Mystics U11 at WBBL Trophy Final

Mystics U11 take part in Festival of Basketball at WBBL Trophy Final

The Manchester Mystics Under 11 girls were invited to a Festival of Basketball as part of the WBBL Trophy Final event between at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday.

The Mystics were one of four WBBL Clubs invited, alongside Nottingham Wildcats, Sevenoaks Suns and Sheffield Hatters.

The Girls were taught some basic basketball skills followed by scrimmage games between the four teams; it was greatly enjoyed by all.

After the Festival, all the girls and parents were guests at the WBBL Trophy Final which was played in front of a packed house. In a very tight game between Sevenoaks Suns and Leicester Riders, it was won by the Riders, 68 – 53.

The main objective of the festival was to encourage the young girls to watch top level British women’s basketball, to inspire them to want to play at that level in the future.

For the Mystics girls it was certainly a great success, the girls were coached by Mystics’ WBBL players Rheanne Bailey and Sam Roscoe, who did an outstanding job.

The girls go on to an U11 Tournament on 21 April and an U12 Tournament on 28 April, both in Northants.

Mystics U14 WBBL team photo
England Commonwealth Games 2018

Team England Commonwealth Games schedule and results

Manchester Mystics’ Dominique Allen and Georgia Jones are representing Team England at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia. The squads also include a number of former Magic and Mystics players, Hannah Shaw, Mollie Campbell and Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee join Dom and Georgia in the women’s squad, while Andrew Thomson, Callum Jones (Georgia’s brother) and Orlan Jackman have been selected in the men’s squad. Full Squad lists

Schedule/Results:

Watch games live (when available) via the BBC online here or here

Thursday 5th April Men 08:30 (UK) Group B England 65 – 78 Scotland (Boxscore) (Video)

Callum Jones 22 minutes, 6 points, 4 assists, 1 block, Orlan Jackman 24 minutes, 5 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, Andrew Thomson 21 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist.

Friday 6th April Women 09:30 (UK) Group A Canada 80 – 54 England (Boxscore)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 13 minutes, 2 assists, 1 steal, Georgia Jones 25 minutes, 11 points (top scorer), 1 rebound, 4 assists, Hannah Shaw 18 minutes, 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, Mollie Campbell 13 minutes, 3 points, 3 rebounds, Dominique Allen 15 minutes, 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist. 

Saturday 7th April Men 08:30 (UK) Group B England 100 – 54 India (Boxscore)

Callum Jones 24 minutes, 4 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, Orlan Jackman 14 minutes, 8 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals, Andrew Thomson did not play.

Sunday 8th April Women 02:30 (UK) Group A Mozambique 51 – 78 England (Boxscore)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 2 minutes, Georgia Jones 23 minutes, 9 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, Hannah Shaw 9 minutes, 1 rebound, Mollie Campbell 11 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, Dominique Allen 12 minutes, 4 points, 1 rebound. 

Sunday 8th April Men 05:00 (UK) Group B Cameroon 54 – 81 England (Boxscore)

Callum Jones 22 minutes, 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, Orlan Jackman 24 minutes, 5 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, Andrew Thomson did not play.

Monday 9th April Women 08:30 (UK) Group A England 55 – 118 Australia (Boxscore)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 22 minutes, 9 points, 4 assists, Georgia Jones 13 minutes, 1 point, 1 assist, Hannah Shaw 18 minutes, 9 points, 2 assists, Mollie Campbell 14 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds, Dominique Allen 23 minutes, 7 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal. 

Tuesday 10th April Qualifing Finals Men 08:30 (UK) Canada 97 – 79 England (Boxscore) (Video)

Callum Jones 18 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, Orlan Jackman 18 minutes, 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, Andrew Thomson did not play.

Tuesday 10th April Qualifiing Finals Women 12:00 (UK) England 62 – 40 Jamaica (Boxscore) (Video)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 12 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, Georgia Jones 12 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds 1 assist, 1 block, Hannah Shaw 12 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, Mollie Campbell 3 minutes, Dominique Allen 14 minutes, 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals.

Friday 13th April Women Semi Final 09:30 (UK) Canada 53 – 65 England (Boxscore) (Video)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 2 minutes, 1 steal, Georgia Jones 22 minutes, 7 points, 3 rebounds 2 assists, Hannah Shaw 4 minutes, 1 rebound, Mollie Campbell 14 minutes, 5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, Dominique Allen 15 minutes, 1 steal.

Saturday 14th April Women Gold Medal Game 11:30 (UK) Australia 99 – 55 England (Boxscore) (Video)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 8 minutes, 2 points, 1 rebound, Georgia Jones 16 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds 1 assists, Hannah Shaw 12 minutes, 1 assist, 1 block, Mollie Campbell 11 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebounds, 1 assist, Dominique Allen 15 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds.

England Commonwealth Games 2018 Silver

Shock Silver for Team England Women’s Basketball at Commonwealth Games

Team England’s Women’s Basketball Team won a shock silver medal at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, after losing, 99-55 , to strong favourites Australia in the Gold medal game on Saturday.

The England team booked their place in the final after a shock 65-53 victory over Canada, who beat England 80-54 in the group stages. A strong defensive performance in the semi-final was the key to securing at least the silver medal for the English team.

Australia proved a step too far for the England squad, a team who have battered all in front of them throughout the Tournament and were strong favourites for the gold medal, and it proved to be. In the group stages England lost by 63 points to the host nation side, so there was improvement in the final having lost by 44, but it wasn’t enough to stop a dominate Australia side.

There was a strong Manchester Mystics presence in the side with current Mystics’ Dominique Allen and Georgia Jones and former Mystics’ Hannah Shaw, Mollie Campbell and Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee all making valuable contributions throughout the Tournament, who all come home with their silver medals, while Georgia Jones also comes home with extra bling as long-time boyfriend Jamell Anderson proposed after the Men’s sides victory over Cameroon on 8th April (Georgia said ‘yes’).

Full results and stats:

Friday 6th April 09:30 (UK) Group A Canada 80 – 54 England (Boxscore)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 13 minutes, 2 assists, 1 steal, Georgia Jones 25 minutes, 11 points (top scorer), 1 rebound, 4 assists, Hannah Shaw 18 minutes, 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, Mollie Campbell 13 minutes, 3 points, 3 rebounds, Dominique Allen 15 minutes, 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist. 

Sunday 8th April 02:30 (UK) Group A Mozambique 51 – 78 England (Boxscore)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 2 minutes, Georgia Jones 23 minutes, 9 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, Hannah Shaw 9 minutes, 1 rebound, Mollie Campbell 11 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, Dominique Allen 12 minutes, 4 points, 1 rebound. 

Monday 9th April 08:30 (UK) Group A England 55 – 118 Australia (Boxscore)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 22 minutes, 9 points, 4 assists, Georgia Jones 13 minutes, 1 point, 1 assist, Hannah Shaw 18 minutes, 9 points, 2 assists, Mollie Campbell 14 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds, Dominique Allen 23 minutes, 7 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal. 

Tuesday 10th April Qualifiing Finals 12:00 (UK) England 62 – 40 Jamaica (Boxscore) (Video)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 12 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, Georgia Jones 12 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds 1 assist, 1 block, Hannah Shaw 12 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, Mollie Campbell 3 minutes, Dominique Allen 14 minutes, 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals.

Friday 13th April Semi Final 09:30 (UK) Canada 53 – 65 England (Boxscore) (Video)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 2 minutes, 1 steal, Georgia Jones 22 minutes, 7 points, 3 rebounds 2 assists, Hannah Shaw 4 minutes, 1 rebound, Mollie Campbell 14 minutes, 5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, Dominique Allen 15 minutes, 1 steal.

Saturday 14th April Women Gold Medal Game 11:30 (UK) Australia 99 – 55 England (Boxscore) (Video)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 8 minutes, 2 points, 1 rebound, Georgia Jones 16 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds 1 assists, Hannah Shaw 12 minutes, 1 assist, 1 block, Mollie Campbell 11 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebounds, 1 assist, Dominique Allen 15 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds.

Team England Silver Commonwealth Games 2018

Image Credit: Basketball England

Magic Mystics 3x3 Tournament April 2018

Just Sauce claim U14 3×3 crown

Congratulations to Just Sauce, winners of the inaugural Magic and Mystics U14 3×3 at the Manchester Basketball Centre.

Supported by the Postcode Community Trust, the high-quality tournament attracted teams from Manchester, Oldham and Stockport.

After qualification, six teams battled it out on Finals Day, with Just Sauce, comprising players from Manchester Magic’s U14 programme, taking the title following a great contest with Stockport Falcons Black.

Synergy, made up of members of the Manchester Mystics U14s, finished third.

In the U18 tournament, Team Wavey came out on top, beating Trafford U15s in the final.

A big thanks to all the players, coaches and parents who made the event such a success and to the Postcode Community Trust for its amazing support.

We plan to run more of these events over the next few months, so look out for details.

April 2018 3x3 winners
Mystics logo

Four Mystics make WBBL Stat Stars for March

Manchester Mystics’ Charolotte Stoddard, Georgia Jones, Samantha Roscoe and Dominique Allen all made the WBBL Stat Stars list for the month of March.

WBBL Stat Stars for March
Mystics’ Charlotte Stoddart was on ?? shooting 57.1% from the field (3rd)https://t.co/ajvpRsr4pt pic.twitter.com/b97NfxSRJU — Manchester Mystics (@Mcr_Mystics) April 10, 2018

Stoddart was on ?? shooting 57.1% from the field (3rd).

WBBL Stat Stars for March
Mystics’ Georgia Jones (@gljones4) dished out 6.5 assists per game (2nd)https://t.co/ajvpRsr4pt pic.twitter.com/Gu4fjlFC7W — Manchester Mystics (@Mcr_Mystics) April 10, 2018

Jones dished out 6.5 assists per game (2nd).

WBBL Stat Stars for March
Mystics’ Sam Roscoe (@sammyroscoe5) swatted 1.6 shots per game (2nd)https://t.co/ajvpRsr4pt
(we need a profile pic) pic.twitter.com/28qP50vak6 — Manchester Mystics (@Mcr_Mystics) April 10, 2018

Roscoe swatted 1.6 shots (blocks) per game (2nd).

WBBL Stat Stars for March
Mystics’ Dom Allen (@dom_allen12) swatted 1.5 shots per game (3rd)https://t.co/ajvpRsr4pt pic.twitter.com/GHLOddxFP5 — Manchester Mystics (@Mcr_Mystics) April 10, 2018

Allen swatted 1.5 shots (blocks) per game (3rd).