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Alumni Pro-player update 2019

Alumni Pro-player update 2019

We’ve covered our former players in the US College System, now it’s time to take a look at how our former players have been getting on in professional/semi-professional leagues around the world.

Dominique Allen – Visby Ladies (Damligan – Sweden) / ASC Sepsi SIC Sfant Gheorghe (Liga Nationala – Romania)

Dominique Allen started the season at ASC Sepsi SIC Sfantu Gheorghe in Romania, who finished top of Group Red in the Liga Nationala, before transferring to Visby Ladies in Sweden who finished in 9th in the Damligan.

For ASC Sepsi SIC Sfantu Gheorghe, Dominique played 1 game, played 23 minutes, 4 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 blocks.

For Visby Ladies, Dominique played 10 games averaging 24.5 minutes per game, 5.9 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, 0.8 steals per game and 0.3 blocks per game.

Simon Anumba Fiat Torino (Serie A Italy 2018-19)

Simon Anumba helped Fiat Torino finish in 16th place in the Serie A in Italy and in 6th place in Group D of the EuroCup.

During the regular season Simon played 10 games averaging 6.4 minutes per game, 0.4 points per game, 0.3 rebounds per game, 0.1 assists per game and 0.2 steals per game.

During the EuroCup season Simon played 8 games averaging 7.3 minutes per game, 1.4 points per game, 1.3 rebounds per game, 0.3 steals per game and 0.1 blocks per game.

Devan Bailey – Beyssac Beaupuy Marmande (NM-2 – France)

Devan Bailey helped Beyssac Beaupuy Marmande finish in 9th place in the NM-2 league in France.

Amy Browne – Sunshine Coast Phoenix (Queensland Basketball League – Australia)

Amy Browne helped Sunshine Coast Phoenix finish in 5th place in the Queensland Basketball League in Australia.

During the regular season Amy played 18 games.

Mollie Campbell – Leicester Riders (WBBL)

Mollie Campbell helped Leicester Riders finish in 2nd place in the WBBL Championship and runners up the benecos WBBL Play-offs.

During the regular season Mollie played 20 games, started 12, averaging 23.7 minutes per game, 6.8 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, 0.3 steals per game and 0.7 blocks per game.

Jack Crook – Garonne ASPTT Basket (NM-2 – France)

Jack Crook helped Garonne ASPTT Basket finish in 3rd place in the NM-2 league in France.

Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo – Reading Rockets (NBL Division One Men)

Arinze Emeke-Anyakwo helped Reading Rockets finish in 6th place in the NBL Division One Men.

During the regular season Arinze played 21 games, started 6, averaging 21.2 minutes per game, 4.4 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game, 1.0 assists per game, 0.2 steals per game and 0.1 blocks per game.

Arinze recently signed letter of intent to attend the University of Regina in Canada West Conference of Canada’s USports.

Nicolette FongLyewQuee – Baxi Ferrol (LFB – Spain)

Nicolette FongLyewQuee helped Baxi Ferrol finish in 14th place in the LFB the top division in Spain.

During the regular season Nicolette played 26 games, averaging 20.5 minutes per game, 4.7 points per game, 1.7 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game and 0.8 steals per game.

Tom Fox – Buffalo University (NCAA D1 – MAC) – Video Coordinator

Tom Fox, Video Coordinator at Buffalo University, assisting the team to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Franc Garcia Garrido – Maristes Ademar A (Copa Catalunya – Spain)

Franc Garcia Garrido helped Maristes Ademar A finish in 4th place in the Cope Catalunya, making the 7th seed in the play-offs and despite their low seeding went all the to clinching the title.

During the season Franc played 15 games, averaging 10.8 points per game.

Bailey Goodall – Manchester Giants (BBL)

Bailey Goodall helped Manchester Giants finish in 9th place in the BBL Championship.

During the regular season Bailey played 1 game, averaging 0.1 minutes per game.

Terrell Ivory – Phillips Academy (NEPSAC USA High School) – Head Coach

Terrell Ivory guided his Phillips Academy side to 39th in the NEPSAC standings and 8th in the Class A standings with a 7-6 record.

Orlan Jackman – London City Royals (BBL)

Orlan Jackson helped London City Royals finish in 4th place in the BBL Championship and runners-up in the benecos BBL play-offs.

During the regular season Orlan played 29 games, started 20, averaging 26.1 minutes per game, 10.5 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game, 1.5 assists per game, 1.7 steals per game and 0.1 blocks per game.

Callum Jones – Manchester Giants (BBL)

Callum Jones helped Manchester Giants finish in 9th place in the BBL Championship.

During the regular season Callum played 33 games, started 31, averaging 34.9 minutes per game, 12.2 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 4.9 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game and 0.1 blocks per game.

James Jones – Manchester Giants (BBL)

James Jones helped Manchester Giants finish in 9th place in the BBL Championship.

During the regular season James played 19 games (injured his ankle during the season), started 3, averaging 17.6 minutes per game, 5.6 points per game, 1.8 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 0.7 steal per game and 0.1 blocks per game.

Brandon Kimbrough – Drury University (NCAA D2 GLVC) – Assistant Coach

Brandon Kimbrough helped guide his Drury University side to a 21-12 record, 5th place in the GLVC with a 13-5 conference record, and the team made it to the GLVC Championship game, losing 65-48 to Bellarmine.

Martina Matejcikova – Piestanske Cajky (Extraliga – Slovakia)

Martina Matejcikova helped Piestanske Cajly finish in 2nd place in the Extraliga in Slovakia and runners up in the play-offs.

During the regular season Martina played 23 games, averaging 19.0 minutes per game, 6.3 points per game, 3.3 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game and 0.1 blocks per game.

Leah McDerment – Elangeni Falcons Bad Homburger TG (2 Bundesliga – Germany)

Leah McDerment helped Elangei Falcons Bad Homburger TG finish in 5th place in the North 2 Bundesliga in Germany.

During the regular season Leah played 19 games, averaging 28.2 minutes per game, 8.7 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game and 0.1 blocks per game.

Duane Morgan – Electro Mercantil Plasencia (LEB Silver – Spain)

Duane Morgan helped Electro Mercantil Plasencia finish in 8th place in the LEB Silver West.

During the regular season Duane played 28 games, averaging 26.0 minutes per game, 13.6 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game and 0.6 blocks per game.

Connor Murtagh – Cheshire Phoenix (BBL) / Sambenedettese Basket (Serie C Gold – Italy)

Connor Murtagh started the season at Sambenedettese Basket in Italy, before moving to Cheshire Phoenix in the BBL in the latter part of the season helping them to finish in 7th place in the BBL.

During the regular season for Cheshire Phoenix, Connor played 9 games, averaging 7.4 minutes per game, 1.3 points per game, 1.2 rebounds per game, 0.9 assists per game and 0.6 steals per game.

Kingsley Nwagboso – BIS Baskets Speyer (Regionalliga South West – Germany)

Kingsley Nwagboso helped BIS Baskets Speyer finish in 1st place in the Regionlliaga South West in Germany.

During the regular season Kingsley played 25 games, averaging 18.2 minutes per game, 12.4 points per game, 7.8 rebounds per game, 1.0 assists per game, 0.6 steals per game and 0.8 blocks per game.

Adam Oldham – Manchester Giants (BBL)

Adam Oldham helped Manchester Giants finish in 9th place in the BBL Championship.

During the regular season Adam played 2 games, averaging 1.2 minutes per game and 0.5 assists per game.

Tayo Oyefusi – Team Solent Kestrels (NBL Division One Men)

Tayo Oyefusi helped Team Solent Kestrels to the NBL Division One Men league title and also helped his team win the play-off Final.

During the regular season Tayo played 26 games, started 26, averaging 28.3 minutes per game, 5.2 points per game, 11.0 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game, 1.0 steals per game and 0.2 blocks per game.

Conor Porter – Manchester Giants (BBL)

Conor Porter helped Manchester Giants finish 9th in the BBL Championship.

During the regular season Conor played 3 games, averaging 4.7 minutes per game and 0.7 rebounds per game.

Conor has signed for the re-formed Lancashire Spinners for the 2019-20 season.

Tyme Regent-Bascombe – Liverpool (NBL Division Two Men)

Tyme Regent-Bascombe helped Liverpool to the NBL Division Two Men league title, helped his team win the play-off Final and gain promotion to Division One next season.

During the regular season Tyme played 18 games, started 11, averaging 22.9 minutes per game, 10.0 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 1.3 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game and 0.1 blocks per game.

Hannah Shaw – Kemegal Cortegada (LF2 – Spain)

Hannah Shaw helped Kemegal Cortegada finish 7th in group A of LF2 in Spain.

During the regular season Hannah played 25 games, averaging 24.2 minutes per game, 9.1 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game, 0.4 assists per game, 0.3 steals per game and 0.6 blocks per game.

Ben Thomas – Cheshire Phoenix (BBL) – Head Coach

Ben Thomas guided his Cheshire Phoenix team to 7th place in the BBL with a 17-16 record and made it to the first round of the benecos BBL Play-offs.

Andy Thomson – Leicester Riders (BBL)

Andy Thomson helped Leicester Riders finish in 2nd place in the BBL Championship and helped Leicester to the benecos BBL Play-off title.

During the regular season Andy played 33 games, started 1, averaging 19.4 minutes per game, 7.6 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game and 0.6 blocks per game.

Kristie Velasquez – BA London Lions (WBBL)

Kristie Velasquez helped BA London Lions finish in 9th place in the WBBL Championship.

During the regular season Kristie played 21 games, started 20, averaging 33.0 minutes per game, 11.2 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 4.5 assists per game and 1.5 steals per game.

David Watts – Nottingham Hoods (NBL Division One Men)

David Watts helped Nottingham Hoods finish 10th in the NBL Division One Men, announced during the season that he will be retiring at the end of the campaign.

During the regular season David played 20 games, started 5, averaging 21.5 minutes per game, 12.1 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, 0.5 steals per game and 0.7 blocks per game.

Jordan Whelan – Worcester Wolves (BBL)

Jordan Whelan helped Worcester Wolves finish in 11th place in the BBL Championship.

During the regular season Jordan played 33 games, started 5, averaging 21.1 minutes per game, 9.7 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, 0.9 steals per game and 0.1 blocks per game.

Patrick Whelan Real Murcia (LEB Silver, Spain)

Patrick Whelan helped Real Murcia finish in 3rd place in the LEB Silver East and made it to the Semi-Final stage of the Play-offs, missing out on a place in the final by a single point over two legs.

During the regular season Patrick played 35 games, averaging 24.3 minutes per game, 10.6 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game, 0.7 steals per game and 0.1 blocks per game.

Players at Academies

Sanmi Fajana, George Radford finished their first year, while Ben Gordos finished his second year at Myerscough College, finishing 2nd in the Northern Conference of the EABL and 5th in the NBL Division Two Men. Myerscough College were crowned National Champions of the NBL U18 Men’s leagues (Ben Gordos was on the bench for the final).

For the EABL side, Ben played 2 games, averaging 7.5 points per game, 2.0 rebounds per game, 1.0 assists per game and 2.0 steals per game. Sanmi played 11 games, averaging 10.3 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, 1.1 assists per game, 0.5 steals per game, 0.6 blocks per game.

For the NBL Division Two Men side Sanmi played 15 games, started 10, averaging 16.4 minutes per game, 7.7 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 0.4 assists per game, 0.2 steal per game and 0.3 blocks per game.

Ashana Hinds finished her second year at City of London Academy, finishing top of the Southern Conference of the WEABL and finishing a overall runners-up. Ashana also helped Southwark Pride finish in 7th place in the WNBL Division One.

For City of London Academy, Ashana played 10 games, averaging 6.1 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game and 1.1 steals per game.

For Southwark Pride, Ashana played 13 games, started 1, averaging 13.5 minutes per game, 1.5 points per game, 0.6 rebounds per game, 0.9 assists per game and 0.3 steals per game.

Southwark Pride were crowned National Champions of the NBL U18 Women’s leagues.

Niamh Kelshaw and Lucy Threlfall both finished their second year at Charnwood College, finishing top of the Northern Conference of the WEABL and clinched the WEABL title. They also helped Loughborough Riders finish 4th the WNBL Division One. Charnwood finished 3rd in the NBL U18 Women’s leagues.

For Charnwood, Niamh played 8 games, averaging 8.0 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists per game and 1.6 steals per game.

For Charnwood, Lucy played 8 games, averaging 6.1 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game and 1.1 steals per game,

For Loughborough, Niamh played 13 games, started 13, averaging 22.8 minutes per game, 4.8 points, per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists per game and 0.9 steals per game.

For Loughborough, Lucy played 13 games, started 2, averaging 14.0 minutes per game, 3.9 points per game, 2.6 rebound per game, 0.9 assists per game, 1.0 steals per game and 0.1 blocks per game.

Niamh has signed letter of intent to join McCook Community College in NJCAA D1 Region 9.

Khia Lee finished her second year at Oaklands College, finishing 5th place in the Southern Conference of the WEABL. Khia also helped Oaklands Wolves finish 8th in the WBBL.

For the WEABL side, Khia played 9 games, averaging 7.0 points per game, 8.0 rebounds per game, 1.0 assists per game, 1.7 steals per game and 0.6 blocks per game.

For the WBBL side, Khia played 11 games, averaging 11.0 minutes per game, 2.2 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game, 0.6 assists per game, 0.6 steals per game and 0.1 blocks per game.

Wesley Oba finished his first year at Sunlive Basketball Academy in Portugal, highlights of his season can be found here

Wesley has signed a letter of intent to join NCAA Division 2 University of Sioux Falls on a full scholarship.

Greg Wild finished his first year at Charnwood College, finishing top of the Northern Conference of the EABL, and clinched the EABL title.

Greg played 9 games, averaging 9.9 points per game, 2.9 rebounds per game, 2.4 assists per game and 1.8 steals per game.

Did we miss anyone out from this list? Let us know by emailing us here

In Other News

Mystics Academy’s Chloe Andrew recently signed a letter of intent to join NAIA Division 2 University of Northwestern Ohio.

This past weekend, Mystics’ Jade Mbam and former Mystic’ Ashana Hinds played in the inaugural Hoopsfix All-Star Classic Under 19 Women’s game, while Magic’s Saul May and former Magic player Sanmi Fajana played in the Underclassmen game and former Magic player’s Wesley Oba and Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo played in the Class of 2019 game. (Click the links to watch them in action)

Mystics GB

Great Britain Women to face Canada in June

Great Britain Women face Canada at Manchester’s National Basketball Performance Centre on Wednesday, June 19 in preparation for the FIBA Women’s Eurobasket Finals 2019.

And special ticket prices are available for families and groups of youngsters to attend the game. Families (2 adults, 2 children) can get in for just £24, while a group of 10 juniors will costs just £48 with an adult going free.

GB host the Canadians after surprising many people in the qualifying stages and head coach Chema Buceta will no doubt look to his CCC Polkowice duo, Temi Fagbenle and Johannah Leedham-Warner, to continue their impressive performances from the qualifying rounds.

WNBA centre Fagbenle joined the squad after being voted the Polish MVP whilst Leedham-Warner led her country in efficiency, scoring, rebounding, assists and steals during the qualifiers.

Manchester-born guard Mystics Georgia Jones, another key player, will be playing on her home court and said: “It’s our final warm-up game here before we fly out and we’d love a bumper Manchester crowd to come out and see us off.

“The fans have been brilliant at recent games and we’ve really made this court our home so it would be great to head to off with a really positive performance in front of our own supporters.”

The match-up against Canada will also be Great Britain’s only chance to play a game on home soil before the Finals, where they face co-hosts Lativa, Ukraine and defending champions Spain in a tough Group phase.

“Now we will do our best to compete at the highest level against the best teams in Europe. We know it is going to be difficult, but we will face it with ambition, courage, team attitude and self-confidence,” said coach Buceta.

The game will take place at the National Basketball Performance Centre, Belle Vue, Manchester on Wednesday, June 19 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets, including the offers above, are available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gb-v-canada-tickets-61590607164

GB women vs Canada 2019
Haris Tournament Attendee Update

Haris Tournament Attendee Update

There are so many Haris Tournament attendees who are currently playing basketball around the world, whether that is in the professional leagues, semi-professional leagues or at University or College. There are so many active players in fact that to mention them all here would take a very long time read, so we thought we’d focus on the players who made the most impact during their time at the Tournament; the MVPs.

Niall Harris (Charnwood College Riders 2018)

Niall helped Loughborough Riders to third place in the NBL Division One Men, he played 27 games, 9 starts, averaging 23.3 minutes per game, 12.6 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, 2.74 assists per game, 1.4 steals per game and 0.7 steals per game. Niall also helped Charnwood College Riders to the EABL title, played 12 games, averaging 19.0 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game, 4.6 assists per game, 3.2 steals per game and 0.3 blocks per game.

Sesan Russell (Charnwood College Riders 2017)

Sesan started the year at UMass Lowell but transferred to Florida Tech having not featured for UMass Lowell. Sesan helped Florida Tech to in the SSC of NCAA D2, he played 10 games, 9 starts, averaging 36.0 minutes per game, 16.7 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game and 2.0 steals.

Sean Jenkins (Ireland 2016)

Sean attended Spartanburg High School in South Carolina, USA, averaged 25 points per game, 6 rebounds per game and 5 assists per game, and helped for the varsity basketball team to a 5-10 overall record and 1-7 in the conference. Sean has signed a letter of intent to attend Presbyterian College in South Carolina of the NCAA D1 Big South.

Caleb Green (Proctor Academy 2015)

Caleb Green helped Holy Cross University to tenth place in the Patriot League of NCAA D1. He played 33 games, 33 starts, averaging 35.8 minutes per game, 10.9 points per game, 2.9 rebounds per game, 3.2 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game and 0.1 blocks per game.

Terance Mann (Tilton Prep School 2014)

Terance Mann helped Florida State University to fourth in the ACC of NCAA D1 and to the third round of the NCAA Tournament in his senior year. He played 37 games, 36 starts, averaging 31.7 minutes per game, 11.4 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, 2.5 assists per game, 0.7 steals per game and 0.3 blocks per game.

Terance’s 2018-19 honours: Advocare Invitational Tournament Team, ACC All-Tournament Second Team and ACC All-Honorable Mention Team.

Josh Steel (England U18 2013)

Josh Steel helped Surrey Scorchers to twelfth place in the BBL, he played 13 games, 13 starts, averaging 26.0 minutes per game, 12.7 points per game, 7.0 rebounds per game, 4.0 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game and 0.4 blocks per game.

Prior to re-joining Surrey, Josh played for Actel Forca Lleida and helped them eleventh in the LEB Gold in Spain, where he played 18 games, 2 starts, averaging 11.6 minutes per game, 2.8 points per game, 1.2 rebounds per game, 0.8 assists per game, 0.2 steals per game and 0.1 blocks per game.

Phillip Daubner (Breitengüßbach 2011)

Phillip Daubner helped VfL Kirchheim Knights to a twelfth place finish in the German Pro A league, he played 29 games, 17 starts, averaging 27.4 minutes per game, 7.7 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 0.6 assists per game, 0.5 steals per game and 0.2 blocks per game.

Josh Ward-Hibbert (England 2010 MVP)

Josh Ward-Hibbert helped Leicester Riders to a second place finish in the BBL and secured the benecos BBL Play-off title, he played 23 games, averaging 13.7 minutes per game, 6.4 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 0.5 assists per game, 0.6 steals per game and 0.2 blocks per game.

Malik Müller (Germany 2009 MVP)

Malik Müller helped Hamburg Towers to a second place finish in the German Pro A league and crowned Play-off Champions, he played 34 games, 18 starts, averaging 19.1 minutes per game, 6.2 points per game, 1.5 rebounds per game, 1.0 assists per game and 0.4 steals per game.

MVPs who we couldn’t find information on for this season, Aureli Luquero (CB Cornella 2012), Stanley Dubois (Gran Canaria BA 2008 MVP) – previously played professionally for CSP Limoges (LNB Pro-B France 2010-11) and Rueil Athletic Club (MN1 France 2012-13), Hakeem Harris (Blair Academy 2007) – went to five USA colleges between 2010-2014 and seems to have retired, and Federico Orrego (CB Granada 2006). If you have information on these players please let us know here

Coming next week is an update on former Manchester Magic and Mystics players, we’re just waiting for all of their season’s to finish. Plus we’ll have some news about this year’s Maggie Forber Invitational Tournament which is coming on 29th-30th June.

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.

Manchester Mystics U14 Champions 2019

Mystics U14 Semi-Final Report

Going into Saturday’s semi-final (for free if you had a lanyard) against Richmond Knights (who had their breakfast together around a round table!), I felt we had a slight psychological advantage (I’m surprised I can spell that) in that we were like an egg before it’s made into an omelette – unbeaten – whereas they had lost twice to us in earlier friendlies (If there is such a thing in competitive sport).

This, however, would count for as little as what I like about the world’s most arrogant football manager (JM) i.e. nothing if our young team let their nerves get the better of them. In an attempt to settle them, I considered using a cattle prod but plumped for asking them to try to be excited rather than nervous (but not too excited). No bouncing off the ceiling as if they’d scoffed 3 packets of Haribos!

Having travelled down to play Richmond twice, I was aware of what to expect from their well-coached, hard-working group of thoroughly likeable young athletes. Defensively, they are like dry cleaners – they press! Offensively, they rely on driving to basket (rather than taking the bus or walking) and have 3 very capable left-handed guards plus a talented England off-guard. (I was hoping she would be!)

Their captain is extremely adept at stealing the ball off the dribble so my plan was to use 2 guards to pass the ball through the press to negate this. Their team lacks any genuine height so I was confident we could out-rebound them. Defensively, I believed we could match-up our best defenders with their highest scorers.

In the event, possibly more by luck than judgement – and this is where you are all supposed to interject and say ‘of course it wasn’t by luck’ – the plan worked more efficiently than Arsenal’s tactics do these days and outstanding team defence restricted our opponents to a mere 12 points in the whole of the first half. In their brief match summary, BE described our defence as ‘stingy’ which must be the only time this word has been used as a compliment (assuming we don’t mind being associated with Scrooge or my uncle Dave who is as tight as a 20 stone man in a size 8 shirt.)

The 11 Mystics responsible for being so uncharitable to our opponents were, in number order, Anna Collier, Holly Stones, Jouna Albaid, Daisy Bryan, Emily Taylor (3 of whom are eligible to play at this level next season), Olivia Forster, who sadly isn’t, Anita Oboavwodou (who also sank 3 out of 4 free throws), Saffron Murphy, Esha Nayar, Jo Vourliotis and Eleni Vourliotis.

Leading by as many as 20 at half-time at 32-12 meant that it was now a question of maintaining composure and keeping things simple to minimise mistakes. In a low key second half, the girls did just that but still managed to extend the margin to 27 before relaxing a tad too much near the end – one or two of them had actually dropped off and snoring could be heard! With every Mystic getting well into double-figure minutes on court, we ran out worthy winners. The whole team contributed positively but specific mention goes to Daisy, Emily, Olivia and Saffron for preventing any of their usually high-scoring immediate opponents from getting double figures, to Eleni, Anita and Esha for their rebounding prowess, to Olivia, Saffron and Emily for leading all scorers and to Jo, Holly, Jouna and Anna for their highly effective help defence. Keeping such a competent team as Richmond to 38 points meant that no U14 team had yet managed to score 50 or more against us all season.

It would be a big ask, given the importance of the occasion and the ability of whoever we played in Sunday’s National Final, but if we could maintain that proud record, we would have a great chance of being crowned national champions. My task now was to assess our potential opponents in their semi-final and make notes that I could read afterwards! To be continued!

Jim

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).

Basketball England

Mystics’ Charli Wroe selected in England U15 squad for Nottingham Tournament

Congratulations to Manchester Mystics’ Charli Wroe who has been selected in the England U15 Squad for the upcoming Tournament in Nottingham next week, after attending the Initial England Development Squad camp held at the National Basketball Performance Cente earlier this week.

Manchester Magic’s Ben Brown, Lucas Ricketts, Bradley May and Toby Akinlade and Manchester Mystics’ Kizzy Spence, Olivia Forster, Esha Rani Naya and Eleni Vourliotis were also selected for the initial squads and may get opportunties to represent England later in the summer, see below for the schedule.

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

Manchester Mystics U12 2019

Mystics U12 win silver in Girls Northern Basketball League Cup Play-off

After an excellent U12 Girls Northern League season in which Sheffield and Manchester tied for first place in the League, we held our Play-offs on Sunday 7 April at All Saints in Sheffield.

There were 2 different Play-offs, one for the Cup competition and one for the Plate competition.

Cup Results

There was very little to choose between Sheffield, Northants and Manchester, with Sheffield being able to finish the last few minutes a little stronger than the other teams.  Congratulations to Sheffield.  

Manchester Mystics 32 – 42 Sheffield Hatters

Manchester Mystics 51 – 39 Northants Lightning

Sheffield Hatters 47 – 45 Northants Lightning

Plate Results

Derby Trailblazers 70 – 20 City of Leeds

Derby Trailblazers 42 – 24 Lancashire Spinners

City of Leeds 4 – 53 Lancashire Spinners

Despite the Leeds team being the youngest team present, they acquitted themselves very well and their time is yet to come.

60 – 70 Under 12 girls enjoyed a great day, supported by a large crowd of parents and friends. Each player received a medal and T-shirt to commemorate the day.  All games were played in excellent spirit and it was a memorable day to finish the season.

The League and Play-offs were sponsored by Greater Manchester Sport and sincere thanks to them for their support.

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.