Category: News

Andrew and Mbam make WEABL Northern Conference All-First Team

Congratulations to Manchester Mystics Academy’s Chloe Andrew and Jade Mbam making the WEABL Northern Conference all-first team and to Remi Idowu making the all-second team.

All the selections were based on the regular season only, and teams were voted for regardless of position by teams and coaches across the WEABL. As a result some of the best players from across the WEABL have been picked for this season’s conference teams, and they’re well deserving of the awards.

Chloe averaged an impressive 14.6ppg, 5.9rpg, 5.6apg, 2.9spg, while Jade averaged an equally impressive 15.1ppg, 6.7rpg, 2.7apg, 2.7spg, and Remi averaged 3.6ppg, 9.7rpg, 1.7apg, 1.1spg, 0.9bpg.

Source: WEABL

March 22, 2019September 18, 2022

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

March 8, 2019July 17, 2022

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

February 28, 2019July 17, 2022

Haris Tournament forming organising committee

The Haris Charalambous Memorial Basketball Tournament is forming a volunteer committee to help run the prestigious event.

Organisers need prospective committee members to take on a number of tasks, from event planning and volunteer recruitment to marketing and securing sponsorship.

The tournament is held annually to remember Haris Charalambous, one of Manchester Magic’s finest young talents who sadly died at the age of 21 while playing and studying in the United States.

It takes place at the Manchester Basketball Centre from 27-29 December and features eight elite Under-18 men’s teams from Europe and the US.

Proceeds from the tournament go to the Haris Fund, which helps local youngsters pursue their basketball dreams.

For more information or to register your interest in becoming a committee member, call the Magic and Mystics office on 0161 881 0090 and ask for Phil or Freda.

Alternatively, email us at info@manchestermagicandmystics.co.uk, writing ‘Haris Committee’ in the subject line.

For more information about the tournament, click on the link: https://www.manchestermagicandmystics.co.uk/pages/events.aspx

February 13, 2019July 17, 2022

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.

February 12, 2019July 17, 2022

Inviting expressions of interest for Haris Tournament 2019

We are now inviting expressions of interest for the 2019 Haris Charalambous Memorial Basketball Tournament. The prestigious three-day event runs from 27-29 December at the Manchester Basketball Centre and features 8 teams from the UK, the US and the rest of Europe. The 2018 tournament was one of the most exciting yet, with Charnwood edging Myerscough in a brilliant final. If you would like an entry pack or would like to know more, contact us via email at info@manchestermagicandmystics.co.uk

February 4, 2019July 17, 2022

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.

January 3, 2019July 17, 2022

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.

December 3, 2018July 17, 2022

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.

Mystics' Evelyn Ovner Player of the Month November 2018

November 29, 2018July 17, 2022

Mystics’ Ovner Molten Player of the Month

It’s a November awards double for Manchester Mystics after Evelyn Ovner scooped the Molten WBBL Player of the Month accolade.

The recognition for Ovner came hot on the heels of play-caller Jeff Jones being handed the monthly coaching gong.

During a period that was shortened by the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers, Ovner caught fire either side of the international break for Mystics.

She enjoyed a hugely productive month after averaging a sparkling 22.7 points per game, her scoring haul helped by a fantastic 54% shooting average from the field.

Ovner also made it a November double-double by going to work on the glass and returning an eye-catching 10.3 rebounds per outing.

She had to fend off challenges from a glut of Hatters personnel to take the honour, with October’s winner Ali Gorrell, Sarah Toeaina, Luiana Livulo and Helen Naylor all in the mix after a great month for their team.

Source: WBBL