Category: Magic

Manchester Magic

Magic U12 Leeds Champions 2019

Magic U12s claim Leeds title

Manchester Magic have added another junior title to their trophy cabinet thanks to their U12 boys’ team.

They chalked up eight wins from eight games over two days in Leeds thanks to some great attacking and defensive play.

They also won a host of individual accolades, with Nathan Brown collecting the tournament Most Valuable Player award and Lutae Jones landing the Most Promising Player honour.

Nathan, Mikey Towey, Tyler Peoples and Dominic Goodwin were also named tournament All Stars.

Results:

Day One:

Magic 55-4 Spire Ballers

Magic 84-2 Leeds 2

Magic 74-2 Brentwood Fire

Magic 47-18 York 1

Day Two:

Magic 59-8 Teeside Lions

Magic 47-6 Leeds 1

Magic 60-4 Nottingham Hoods

Magic 55-4 York 1

Manchester Magic and Mystics News

Mystics star in WBBL Awards, Academy players selected for Hoopsfix Classic, Magic and Mystics Involved in Schools Finals

The Manchester Mystics WBBL side’s season may have ended after a disappointing Play-off Quarter Final loss against Durham Palatinates; however the players have been honoured with a plethora of awards.

Georgia Jones was named the Molten WBBL All-British Team of the Year, with Sam Roscoe coming off the bench. Rheanne Bailey and Evelyn Ovner were named in the Molten WBBL All-Defensive Team of the Year. Georgia Jones also comes off the bench in the Molten WBBL team of the Year.

In other news

Congratulations to Mystics’ Georgia Jones and Sam Roscoe and former Mystics’ Hannah Shaw, Mollie Campbell and Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee on their selections to the GB Squad.

Mystics Academy’s Jade Mbam has been selected alongside former Mystic’ Ashana Hinds for the Inaugural Hoopsfix All-Star Classic Under 19 Women’s game on Saturday 1st June at 4:00pm.

Magic Academy’s Saul May has been selected in the Hoopsfix All-Star Classic Underclassmen Game on Sunday 2nd June at 2:00pm

There were many of the Magic and Mystics family in action at the English Schools finals, with local schools: Trinity High School (U14 Girls) crowned National Champions, Reddish Vale High School (U16 girls) finishing in second place, and Sale Grammar School (U14 Co-ed) finishing in second place.

May Community Camp 2019

Manchester Magic and Mystics May Community Camp

The Manchester Magic and Manchester Mystics will host a two-day basketball camp for primary school children on Monday 27th May and Tuesday 28th May.

The Camp will be run by top junior coach Paul Cantwell, catering for all abilities, so new players can have fun and learn the basics, while the more experienced can really advance their game.

The venue is the fantastic Manchester Basketball Centre, a three-court facility that is home to one of the top junior basketball programmes in the country.

To book both days (10am-3pm) will cost you £25. For one day, it’s £15.

Book early because places are limited.

To book or for more information, call 0161 881 0090.

The Manchester Basketball Centre is situated at Whalley Range High School for Girls on Wilbraham Road (M16 8GW).

Loreto College

Loreto College crowned U17 Boys National Schools Champions 2019

Loreto College U17 Boys were crowned Dynamic English Schools champions after beating Charnwood College 92-78 at the National Basketball Performance Centre on Friday morning.

Josh Grant was named MVP after scoring 24 points and bagging countless rebounds, with Luke Gordos (16), Malachi Boakye-Yiadom (15) and Noah Tchifounga (10) also reaching double figures.

Dan Gargan (9), Saul May (6), Jason Ani (6), Ty Jordan (4) and Mo Shegow (2) also got on the scoresheet for Loreto.

Coached by Pete Paraskeva, Loreto started well, opening up an 8-0 lead before finishing the first quarter 23-15 up.

That advantage became 14 towards the end of the second, before a late Charnwood rally closed the gap to 7 by the halftime interval.

Despite the loss of Ani to injury, Loreto took firm control in the third quarter, going 22 points up, before easing to victory in the fourth despite another late charge from their opponents.

Former Manchester Magic player Greg Wild scored 29 points for Charnwood.

Loreto: Josh Grant, Dylan Consterdine, Saul May, Henry Lythe De Pee, Malachi Boakye-Yiadom, Ty Jordan, Dan Gargan, Noah Tchifounga, Luke Gordos, Jason Ani, Mo Shegow.

For more information about Loreto College, visit the official website: http://www.loreto.ac.uk/

For more information about Manchester Magic’s basketball academy, contact Phil Gordos at phil.gordos@manchestermagicandmystics.co.uk or on 0161 881 0090.

US College Update

US College update 2019

It’s March so it’s the time of year when US Colleges are in play-off action and with a number of our former Manchester Magic and Mystics junior players currently out in the USA playing at various Colleges we thought it would be nice to give everyone an update as to how they’ve got on this season.

Michael Anumba (Freshman) at Winthrop University (NCAA Division 1 – Big South) Record: 18-12

Season stats: Played 30 games, 29 starts, 23.8 minutes per game, 6.9 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game, 0.4 steals per game, 0.1 blocks per game.

Winthrop University lost 77-63 to CSU in the Big South Championship Quarter-Finals. Michael, started and played 29 minutes, had 10 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists and 1 steal.

Gina Brierley (Junior) Saint Leo University (NCAA Division 2 – SSC) Record: 10-18

Season stats: Played 28 games, 28 starts, 34.5 minutes per game, 9.7 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game, 1.1 steal per game.

Kaiyem Cleary (Freshman) at Florida Southern University (NCAA Division 2 – SSC) Record: 25-8

Season stats: Played 32 games, 4 starts, 14.6 minutes per game, 5.0 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game, 0.3 assists per game, 0.5 steals per game, 0.4 blocks per game.

Florida Southern University won 80-78 against Saint Leo University in the SSC Tournament Quarter-Finals. Kaiyem played 10 minutes, had 1 point and 4 rebounds.

Florida Southern University won 74-65 against Lynn University in the SSC Tournament Semi-Finals. Kaiyem played 8 minutes, had 1 rebound.

Florida Southern University won 92-84 against Nova Southeastern University in the SSC Tournament Final. Kaiyem played 7 minutes, had 2 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal.

Florida Southern University crowned SSC Champions 2019.

(#2) Florida Southern University won 78-72 against (#7) Delta State University in the NCAA D2 South Regional Tournament First Round. Kaiyem played 3 minutes.

(#2) Florida Southern University lost 88-78 to (#3) Lynn University in the NCAA D2 South Regional Tournament Semi-Finals. Kaiyem played 8 minutes, had 1 rebound and 1 assist.

Jessica Eadsforth-Yates (Sophomore) at Georgia Highlands College (NJCAA Division 1 – GCAA) Record: 20-13

Season stats: Played 29 games, 29 starts, 22.4 minutes per game, 9.6 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game, 4.6 assists per game, 2.4 steals per game, 0.1 blocks per game.

Georgia Highlands College won 86-54 against Southern Crescent Technical College in the GCAA Quarter-finals. Jessica started, played 33 minutes, had 9 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal.

Georgia Highlands College won 80-78 against Central Georgia Technical Collegein the GCAA Semi-finals. No stats available.

Georgia Highlands College lost 75-57 against South Georgia Technical College in the GCAA final. No stats available.

Georgia Highlands College finished runner-ups in the GCAA / Region 17 Championship.

Pharroh Gordon (Redshirt Senior) at William Jewell College (NCAA Division 2 – GLVC) Record: 12-18

Season stats: Played 20 games, 20 starts, 30.8 minutes per game, 14.7 points per game, 7.2 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game, 0.4 blocks per game.

Career Honours & Awards 2018 All-GLVC Second Team  2018 GLVC All-Defensive Team 2018 Men’s Basketball Newcomer of the Year 2018 Men’s Basketball Most Valuable Player 2018 William Jewell Men’s Newcomer of the Year 2018 William Jewell Cecil Martin Award – Male Athlete of the Year

Aaron Menzies (Redshirt Senior) Saint Mary’s College – CA (NCAA Division 1 – WCC) Record: 22-12

Aaron transferred from Seattle University as a Post-Grad, and has sat out the season after surgery on a hand injury.

Saint Mary’s College won 69-62 against University of San Diego in the WCC Championship Semi-Finals.

Saint Mary’s College won 60-47 against Gonzaga University in the WCC Championship Final.

Saint Mary’s College crowned WCC Champions 2019.

(#11) Saint Mary’s College lost 61-57 against (#6) Villanova University in the NCAA D1 Tournament South Region First Round.

Harriet Swindells (Sophomore) Barry University (NCAA Division 2 – SSC) Record: 10-19

Season stats: Played 29 games, 6 starts, 23.7 minutes per game, 9.5 points per game, 2.2 rebounds per game, 1.5 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game, 0.1 blocks per game.

Barry University lost 89-71 to Florida Southern University in the SSC Tournament Quarter-Finals. Harriet played 15 minutes had 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 steal.

Did we miss someone off this list? Let us know by contacting us at newsletter@manchestermagicandmystics.co.uk

Basketball England

Magic and Mystics dominate initial England Talent Programme Squads

Congratulations to Manchester Magic’s Ben Brown, Lucas Ricketts, Bradley May and Toby Akinlade and Manchester Mystics’ Charli Wroe, Kizzy Spence, Olivia Forster, Esha Rani Naya and Eleni Vourliotis, who have all been selected in the initial U14/15 England Talent Programme Squads.

Players have been selected primarily through their involvement in the Aspire Programme or England Development Programme levels of the Basketball England Talent Pathway.

In each of the 10 basketball regions across the country, Basketball England have a Regional Talent Manager whose role it is to support, track and refer players for selection to England Talent Programmes. Their input has also been used during this initial selection process.

The England Talent Programmes (ETP) are designed to provide players and coaches with opportunities to come together, train and compete against other nations with the basic aim of exposing English talent to as many different playing styles and conditions as possible prior to potential Great Britain selection.

The schedule of activity for 2019 is as below:

Easter Training Camp (Under 15 & Under 14 Boys & Girls)  Monday 8 April – Wednesday 10 April National Basketball Performance Centre, Manchester

Nottingham Tournament (Under 15 Girls) Thursday 18 – Friday 19 April Nottingham Wildcat Arena, Nottingham

Lions Cup (Under 15 Boys) Friday 19 April – Monday 22 April Paris, France

May Half Term Training Camp (Under 15 & Under 14 Boys & Girls) Tuesday 28 May – Thursday 30 May National Basketball Performance Centre, Manchester

Copenhagen Invitational Tournament (Under 14 & Under 15 Boys & Girls) Thursday 20 June – Sunday 23 June Copenhagen, Denmark.

August Camp (Under 14 Boys & Girls) Tuesday 6 August – Thursday 8 August National Basketball Performance Centre, Manchester

Valencia Tournament (Under 14 Boys & Girls) Wednesday 14 August – Sunday 18 August Valencia, Spain

Community Session Cheadle Hulme 2019

Magic and Mystics establish primary school hub in Cheadle Hulme

Manchester Magic and Manchester Mystics are launching a new training session in Cheadle Hulme for boys and girls at primary school.

Led by our experienced and qualified coaching team, it will take place at Laurus Cheadle Hulme (SK8 5GB) on Tuesdays from 5.30-7pm and cost £4.

Places will be limited, so contact the Magic and Mystics on 0161 881 0090 to pre-register. The first session is on 30 April and is open to children in Years 1-6.

The Laurus Cheadle Hulme initiative is part of the club’s drive to deliver top-quality coaching to more and more children of primary school age.

The Magic and Mystics are one of the top junior basketball programmes in the country.

Since 2000, they have won 67 national titles and developed dozens of junior internationals.

Commonwealth Games silver medallist Georgia Jones came through the club’s junior programme, as did Andrew Lovedale, who went on to play college basketball in the United States with NBA star Steph Curry.

Manchester Magic and Mystics Community

New development sessions for Primary School Players

From 8 February, our Friday sessions at the Manchester Basketball Centre will change.

The current drop-in league for players at primary school will replaced by a 90-minute development session for Years 1-6.

It will start with some coaching to develop a player’s knowledge and understanding of basketball fundamentals. Then it will move into games, giving players the chance to put their new-found skills into practice.

We’ve decided to make this change in order to enhance the work we do with our younger players and following requests from players and parents for a session such as this.

Paul Cantwell will be overseeing the new development sessions. A former Manchester Magic player who came through the junior ranks here, Paul is a Level 2 coach who has worked with young players in the UK and the USA.

The new sessions will run from 5.30-7pm and cost £4. The drop-in league for Years 7-9 will now run from 7-8pm.

Magic U14 Battle in the Capital 2018

Magic U14s claim runners-up spot at Battle in the Capital

Manchester Magic U14s enjoyed a productive Christmas by claiming second place at the Battle in the Capital in London.

They opened up the 12-team tournament with a 45-16 win over NASSA followed by a 43-20 victory over Wales before losing 34-23 to Dutch side Apollo Amsterdam.

Magic still managed to secure a place in the semi-final, where they overcame London Youngblood Lions 43-30.

In an exciting final at the UEL SportsDock, they fell just short against East Region, going down 56-53.

Magic’s Bradley May scored 52 points to average 10.4 ppg, finishing fifth overall.

Magic squad: Luca Lara Sanchez, Moroni Cabixiga, Billy Sullivan, Lucas Ricketts, Ben Brown, Matthew Goodwin, Thomas Kelly, Bradley May, Toby Akinlade.

Fisher gets D1 head coach role at Magic

Fisher get D1 head coach role at Magic

Manchester Magic have appointed Simon Fisher as their new Division One head coach.

The former England U16 and Wales U16 coach replaces Aurimas Verbukas, aka Coach Ollie, and will begin work this week.

“It is an immense honour to be asked to lead the senior men’s team,” said Fisher, who has coached at club level with Derby Trailblazers.

“Manchester Magic is a club with a high-quality tradition, which I am committed to become part of. The ethos of the club, embodied by the people involved, was something that has impressed me over the years.”

Fisher has a rich basketball pedigree and is highly respected in the game.

He led England U16s at three European Championships, eventually becoming, in 2011, the first coach to lead an England age group team to promotion to Division A.

This summer, he led Wales U16s to a silver medal in Division C of the European Championships in San Marino.

“I intend to try to build on the fantastic work undertaken by Coach Ollie,” added Fisher.

“His work will provide a foundation for the rest of the season and beyond, as the connection from the senior team, to the academy and U18 team will ensure that we continue to develop players for the next level.

“Thank you to the staff at Manchester Magic for believing in my coaching ability. I look forward to getting started with the players this week.”

Coach Ollie leaves the club after five years, during which time he steered the club to junior success on the national stage, including the U16 Boys National Cup in 2016.

He took over as D1 head coach from Paul Middleton in the summer but announced his intention to resign last week.

“Ollie has been a formidable presence at the club and I’d like to thank him for all the work he has done for us, on and off the floor,” said club chief executive Phil Gordos.

“He has impacted the lives of hundreds of players and I hope he enjoys future success.”

Fisher, who was also lead coach of England U17s from 2011 to 2014, takes over a Magic team that lies bottom of Division One, with one victory from nine games.

They host second-placed Worthing Thunder on Saturday at 6:30pm.