Category: Mystics

Manchester Mystics

April 14, 2018July 17, 2022

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 10, 2018July 17, 2022

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).

April 9, 2018July 18, 2022

Mystics U14 season ends at last 16 stage of play-offs

Mystics largely under-age U14 squad’s highly enjoyable and successful season ended yesterday when we succumbed to a big, mobile, well drilled Ipswich side in the last 16 round of the play-offs. For the most part, my nation-wide spies had told me what to expect. We should take no notice of Ipswich’s record because every game they had lost was without their dynamic 6ft centre Susanah Rafio who was on duty for their U16s. Sadly for us, today, in the words of their very pleasant coach, she was a making a ‘guest appearance.’ Her match-winning performance made her an unwelcome guest.

As well as Susannah, I was told we should take plenty of notice of their small, quick guard Abbey Yorke plus high scoring duo Makenna Williams and Alicia Boddy. Plans were drawn up for our offense and defence to try to counter the major threat these 4 posed. Unfortunately, no one warned me they had 2 other forwards who towered above all of our relatively vertically challenged team. This meant rebounds were as rare as penny blacks for us today which, in turn, limited our fast break opportunities.

Their coach told me they had tried to get videos of us but only found one of Olivia Forster in a 2017 Christmas pantomime. Both he and I knew this would be as tight as Pavorotti in a size 12 shirt and the fact that the game contained no less than 9 lead changes, confirmed this.

In the event, the contest proved to be a barn-stormer with more twists and turns than Chubby Checker dancing on Spaghetti Junction. As with any close encounter, it was decided by small details which are denoted **. Both teams started nervously. We rushed around like shopaholics at the January sales and missed several lay-ups which were as open as the grand Canyon **. Fortunately, the defensive display from Esha Nayar, Lily Gilronan, Lily Hayes, Olivia Forster and Charli Wroe was of a sufficiently high standard to limit the opposition to a mere 2 points in the opening 7 minutes, by which time we had done what all good indigestion tablets do – settled down – and were (unlike my hair) in control, 10-2 up.

Proceedings over the next 60 seconds then ruined my week-end and beyond because it had a profound effect on the outcome. Olivia was rightly blown for her second foul. Unwelcome but not disastrous. She is very smart so could probably manage until half-time. Somehow, we were informed that it was actually her third foul**. This transformed unwelcome into disastrous. She had to sit out the next 12 minutes which threw us into disarray. We went from 8 up to 2 down. Crucially, Ipswich’s recovery began by way of 2 sets of missed free throws both of which were rebounded and put in ** by the towering Susannah (despite having 2 Mystics vainly attempting to stop her.) This unwelcome occurrence repeated itself in the very last minute of the game at 61-62 **.

I re-instated Olivia after the interval and the team immediately regained its poise, so much so that we scored more points in the first 5 minutes of the third quarter than in the entire second period with Nia Molloy, Kizzy Spence and Emily Wood all scoring well to take some of the load off of leading scorer Charli Wroe. We were now like that fizzy lemonade – 7-Up – with 2 minutes remaining in the third. We then contrived to convert 0 out of 2 free throws while they hit 4 out of 6**.

Even so, we went into the fourth quarter 47-44 to the good but did not help ourselves by immediately missing the only 2 free throws we were awarded over the next 10 minutes. A lack of concentration on defence ** assisted Ipswich to embark on a 2-8 run in a quarter which was more nip and tuck than anything the Kardashians have put themselves through with their plastic surgeon. It was like the Hokey Kokey. We began it 3 up, went 3 down then 1 up, 5 down, 1 up and 1 down before their 2 missed free throws (mentioned 9 lines up.)*******

A 5 point loss sounds close but it does not reflect how even this game was. Even though 3 of our younger players, Daisy Bryan, Jo Vourliotis and Eleni Vourliotis had very limited court time, they, along with the absent Zara Masadeh-Tate and Lia Vourliotis and the 8 Mystics already mentioned can hold their heads high and be proud of what they have achieved this season with more to come in 2018-19.

It remains for me to thank my superb helpers-in-chief-, James, Sam, Carys and Jim plus Mark for his helpful comments and all parents etc for your wonderful support of these special young ladies.

Jim

The Mystics U14 on Sunday took part in a North West 3×3 Tournament at the National Basketball Performance Centre, that saw Team Synergy (4 of the Mystics) finish as winners. (thanks to Chloe Andrew for the photo)

April 6, 2018July 18, 2022

Magic duo get Wales spot for FIBA Europeans

Manchester Magic’s Luke Gordos and Henry Lythe de Pee have been named in the Wales U16 squad for the 2018 FIBA European Championships in San Marino in July.

The duo, who were part of Magic’s victorious U16 National Cup team, are included in a 12-man party following a four-day camp over Easter.

Luke, 15, has also been named co-captain for the tournament, which is being held in San Marino from 3-11 July.

He was also a member of the Wales squad for last year’s Division C campaign in Andorra.

Henry, 16, will be making his European Championship debut thanks to a series of strong performances over the Easter weekend against Derby College, Stockport Falcons, Cheshire Wire and Manchester Magic’s U15 and U16 teams.

Wales, who finished seventh at the 2017 championships, have been drawn in Group B alongside Andorra, GIbraltar, Malta and Scotland. They open their tournament against Malta on 3 July.

March 31, 2018July 18, 2022

New Manchester tournament for Women’s basketball

The inaugural Maggie Forber Invitational Basketball Tournament will take place at the Amaechi Basketball Centre on 30 June and 1 July.

An eight-team competition for under-18 girls, the Manchester event has already secured entries from England and Ireland.

It will also feature host club Manchester Mystics, who will be entering two sides in the two-day tournament.

Named in honour of Maggie Forber, co-founder of the Manchester Mystics, organisers hope the event will become a permanent fixture in the basketball calendar and help raise the profile of the women’s game.

Contact the club via email at info@manchestermagicandmystics.co.uk for an entry form and information pack.

The club is also on the lookout for sponsors, so please the spread the message.

All money we generate will be ploughed back into women’s basketball in Manchester.

March 27, 2018July 18, 2022

Magic’s Hanson and Cavli and Mystics’ Forster selected in England U15 squads

Manchester Magic’s Ceejay Hanson and Zeki Cavli and Manchester Mystics’ Olivia Forster have been selected in the England U15 Development squads.

Basketball England announced the list of players selected for consideration for the England Under 15 girls and boys squads.

The National Camps will take place on 15 April and 20 May 2018, with the boys divided into two groups for sessions in Manchester, Lancashire and Wokingham, Berkshire and all Under 15 girls will be training together in Cranleigh, Surrey.

Sessions will take place at the same time as the Regional Performance Centre (RPC) programmes, an approach that will allow Basketball England the opportunity to test innovative ways of integrating different levels of the player pathway. Moving forward this will become a key consideration across all programmes within the Talent System.

March 18, 2018July 18, 2022

Mystics U12 joint champions at Tournament in Northants

The Manchester Mystics U12 Girls (Year 7 and below) went to Northants for a Tournament on Saturday. Despite being the youngest team participating, having only two Year 7 girls with the rest of the team being made up of Years 5 and 6, the girls were joint winners after a three-way tie with Sheffield and Northants. Nine teams took part in the Tournament and the Mystics were only beaten by Sheffield.

Teams were:

Northants, Southend, Shenley, Hounslow, Sheffield, Bucks, Brentwood, Ipswich and Manchester Mystics.

Pools of 3, and play-offs.

Results were:

Manchester 25 – 20 Brentwood

Manchester 22 – 20 Ipswich

Manchester 21 – 12 Northants (play-off)

Manchester 17 – 31 Sheffield (play-off)

Manchester Mystics U12 Northants Tournament 2018

March 16, 2018July 18, 2022

Mystics Jones and Allen are off to the Gold Coast with England Commonwealth Games squad

Team England have named their men’s and women’s basketball squads who will compete for Team and Country on the Gold Coast in Australia.

Manchester Mystics’ Dominique Allen and Georgia Jones have been selected in the women’s squad. The squads also include a number of former Magic and Mystics players, Hannah Shaw, Mollie Champbell 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. Congratulations to all.

The Games begin on 4 April and basketball will be making its first appearance at the Commonwealth Games since 2006, where Team England’s men and women both came away with a bronze medal.

Both basketball teams will compete in preliminary matches in Townsville before the semi-finals and medal matches take place on the Gold Coast. Team England women are in the seeded group up against Australia, Canada and Mozambique. The men’s team are in the unseeded pool against Cameroon, India and Scotland. The top two teams in each seeded group (Pool A) progress to the semi-finals whilst the bottom two play-off against the top two teams from the unseeded group (Pool B) for the two remaining semi-final spots.

Full Squad lists

Schedule:

Thursday 5th April Men 17:30 (AEST) 08:30 (UK) Group B England vs Scotland

Friday 6th April Women 18:30 (AEST) 09:30 (UK) Group A Canada vs England

Saturday 7th April Men 17:30 (AEST) 08:30 (UK) Group B England vs India

Sunday 8th April Women 11:30 (AEST) 02:30 (UK) Group A Mozambique vs England

Sunday 8th April Men 14:00 (AEST) 05:00 (UK) Group B Cameroon vs England

Monday 9th April Women 17:30 (AEST) 08:30 (UK) Group A England vs Australia

Tuesday 10th April Qualifing Finals

Friday 13th April Women Semi Final

Saturday 14th April Men Semi Final

Saturday 14th April Women Medal Games

Sunday 15th April Men Medal Games

March 11, 2018July 18, 2022

US College Update 2018

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.

Aaron Menzies (Redshirt Junior) at Seattle University (NCAA Division 1 – WAC) record 20-13

Season stats: Played 33 games, 32 starts, 26.6 minutes per game, 11.1 points per game, 8.6 rebounds per game, 2.2 blocks per game.

WAC Championship

Seattle U beat UTRGV 77-60 in the Quarter Finals on Thursday 8th March in Las Vegas, Nev at 8:30pm (PT), Aaron played 31 minutes had 12 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks.

Seattle U lost 84-79 to New Mexico State in the Semi Finals on Friday 9th March in Las Vegas, Nev at 8:30pm (PT), Aaron played 34 minutes had 5 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 blocks.

Aaron earned Second Team All-WAC Honours and was also named to the All-Defensive Team.

From team’s website: Menzies averaged a double-double of 10.6 points and 10.6 rebounds during the 14-game WAC slate. The 7-3 center shot 55.6 percent from the field and 66.1 percent from the charity stripe, leading the Redhawks in made free throws during league action. His rebound average ranked second among all WAC players and his field goal percentage was fifth. His 34 blocks (2.4 per game) ranked first in the WAC, as did his 3.7 offensive boards per game.

Patrick Whelan (Senior) and Pharroh Gordon (Redshirt Junior) at William Jewell College (NCAA Division 2 – GLVC) record 20-9

Patrick’s season stats: Played 29 games, 29 starts, 31.9 minutes per game, 17.9 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, 2.0 assists per game.

Pharroh’s season stats: Played 29 games, 28 starts, 34.5 minutes per game, 14.8 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists per game.

William Jewell lost 70-65 to top seed Bellarmine University in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship Tournament.

Pharroh played 39 minutes had 22 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steal (his 14th double-double of the season). Patrick played 30 minutes had 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Patrick and Pharroh picked up All-Great Lakes Valley Conference team selections, with Patrick one of ten athletes listed on the first team, while Pharroh earned second team and All-Defensive team honours.

From team’s website: Whelan, who will go down as one of the best players to ever wear the Cardinal uniform, earns his second career postseason honor after making the All-GLVC second team and All-Defensive team last season. In his final go around he averaged 18.2 points per game, which was fourth in the GLVC, to go along with 5.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He leads the league with 2.9 three point field goals per game and was seventh with a 38.5 percent clip from behind the arc. The senior will also graduate ranked in the top 25 in career scoring average (12th), three point field goals made (fourth), three point field goals attempted (fourth), three point field goal percentage (11th), free throws made (25th), free throw percentage (17th), starts (eighth), minutes played and averaged (eighth), field goals made (18th), field goals attempted (14th).

Despite being just 6’4 and a guard, Gordon erupted into a double-double machine posting 13 on the season which is third in the GLVC and 16th nationally. In total he pulled down 296 rebounds during the regular season which is 12th in division II, including 256 on the defensive end (9.2 per game) which is second in the nation and second all-time in a single season at Jewell, trailing only Kirk Chastain’s 281 set back in the 1978-79 season. Gordon closed the regular season with a double-double in five of his final six games and pulled down 20, 13, 13, 17, and 13 rebounds during that stretch. His 20 rebound game versus Truman State was only four shy of a 62 year old record. On the season Gordon averaged 14.5 points and 10.6 rebounds, making him one of only three players to average a double-double in the GLVC, while also dishing out 2.8 assists, and leading the team with 50 steals.

Kingsley Nwagboso (Junior) at Francis Marion University (NCAA Division 2 – PBC) record 20-10

Season stats: Played 30 games, 3 starts, 10.4 minutes per game, 2.8 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game.

Francis Marion beat North Georgia 83-54 in the Quarter-Finals of the PBC Tournament, Kingsley played 7 minutes had 2 points, 1 steal, and lost to UNC Pembroke 94-75 in the Semi-Finals, Kingsley played 6 minutes had 2 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist.

Francis Marion lost 75-72 to UNC Pembroke in the NCAA II Southeast Regional (first round) on Saturday 10th March at Harrogate, TN at 12:00noon. Kingsley played 4 minutes had 1 rebound.

Gina Brierley (Sophomore) at Saint Leo University (NCAA Division 2 – SSC) record 13-16

Season stats: Played 27 games, 26 starts, 31.3 minutes per game, 8.0 points per game, 3.7 rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game

Saint Leo lost 78-47 to Florida Southern in the SSC Tournament Quarter-Finals. Gina played 28 minutes had 9 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal.

Leah McDerment (Senior) at University of Massachusetts (NCAA Division 1 – A10) record 14-16

Season stats: Played 29 games, 19 starts, 28.8 minutes per game, 4.3 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game

UMass lost 70-64 Saint Louis in the A10 Tournament. Leah played 33 minutes had 4 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

Leah holds the record for all-time most appearances for the programme (120) and made 101 starts.

Harriet Swindells (Freshman) at Barry University (NCAA Division 2 – SSC) record 19-11

Season stats: Played 30 games, 0 starts, 18.7 minutes per game, 6.8 points per game, 1.4 rebounds per game, 0.7 assists per game.

Sunshine State Conference Tournament

Barry U beat Tampa 71-68 in the Quarter Finals on Wednesday 28th February, Harriet played 15 minutes had 1 assist.

Barry U lost 72-57 to Fla. Southern in the Semi Finals on Saturday 3rd March, Harriet played 29 minutes had 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block.

Jessica Eadsforth-Yates (Freshman) at Cochise College (NJCAA – ACCAC) record 29-2

Season stats: Played 27 games, 0 starts, 5.1 points per game, 1.2 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game.

Regional 1 Championship

Cochise College beat Central Arizona 78-63 on Thursday 9th March to be crowned District A champions.

National Championship

Wednesday 21st March Game 14 at 3:00pm (CDT) 5th seed Cochise College 54-57 Walters State, Jessica played 5 minutes, had 1 steal.

Kaiyem Cleary is at Redemption Christian Academy (Prep School – New York Section 2 Freelance)

Season Stats: 20.4 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game, 2.0 assists per game

Kaiyem ranked #58 in New England top 100 list and #19 in the Massachusetts Class of 2018 top 40 list.

(data accurate on 22/03/2018)

Manchester Magic and Mystics Respect for Referees

March 9, 2018July 18, 2022

GMCB calling for more respect for referees

Greater Manchester Community Basketball will launch its inaugural ‘Respect Referees Fortnight’ on Monday, 12 March.

We will be urging players, coaches, parents and spectators to create a positive environment for match officials when they take charge of games – Community and National League – at the Manchester Basketball Centre.

It is the latest move in GMCB’s drive to increase the number of referees in Greater Manchester and beyond.

“We’ve chosen mid-March to launch the campaign because it’s the time of year when tensions heighten because the National League season is coming to an end,” said GMCB chief executive Phil Gordos.

“We have numerous teams battling for places in the play-offs and there is a lot at stake.

“Being a referee is a rewarding but sometimes very demanding and I think we need to be mindful of that. The last thing we want to do is add to the pressure or make it so difficult for referees that they chose to stop.”

GMCB has made it a priority to increase the number and quality of referees in Greater Manchester.

In 2017, 26 recruits, many in their teens, achieved their Level 1 qualification after attending courses put on at the ABC by GMCB referees manager Rick Dell.

GMCB has already held one Level 2 course in 2018 and plans to run a Level 1 course some time in May.

“With the support of GMCB, we have managed to drive refereeing standards up,” said Dell. “But with all young referees, it is a long-term investment and they need our support, encouragement and respect.”

GMCB’s work to recruit and train more referees has won the backing of Basketball England.

“Referees are an essential element of any competitive game,” said Simon Unsworth, who leads the national governing body’s officiating programme.

“Rick and GMCB pride themselves in following a professional approach for new recruits, making sure they are well equipped with a uniform but also nurtured so they are eased into the role comfortably.

“We can only commend them for the development work they are doing.”

During the Respect Referees Fortnight, we will also be telling you how you can get into officiating, either through one of our courses here at the ABC or at other venues across the North West.

We will also be profiling a number of referees, some of whom came through our courses here at the ABC.