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Barney Blake joins Manchester Basketball Programme

Barney Blake joins Manchester Basketball Programme

Barney Blake has joined the club, where he will be performing performance analysis duties for the Division 1 men’s team, in addition to becoming a member of the junior girls’ coaching programme.

Barney has previously worked with Great Britain & England national teams as a performance analyst and spent the previous season coaching with Myerscough College’s women’s programme.

He recently led the North West Under 13 Girls to second at the Regional Development Tournament in Manchester.

“Barney will bring a skill set to the club that will make a positive impact on the performance analysis side,” said club chief executive Phil Gordos.

“His coaching knowledge will also be a key factor in moving the club forward.”

Mystics U18 head coach Mbongeni Greg Mpofu said: “Adding Barney to our coaching team with the girls’ programme is another step forward in what we’re trying to build. He fits in with the ethos of the club, and we’re all happy to have him on board.”

Barney Blake 2018
Quintet enjoying Chus Mateo Camp 2018

Quintet enjoying the challenge of Chus Mateo Academy Camp

Magic coaches Aurimas Verbukas and Tom Paraskeva, along with club juniors Josh Grant, Nathan Conaty and Courtney Kenyon-Betts, are currently enjoying the challenge of the highly prestigious Chus Mateo Academy Camp in Spain.

Coach Verbukas is enjoying the high level of competition and explained why he feels the camp is the perfect opportunity for young players to get better.

“It is a great camp to learn from the one of the best European coaches from over the Europe, EuroLeague champions, etc,” he said.

“Tom and I are enjoying the high level of players and coaches at the camp. It is a good opportunity for us and the Magic and Mystics players.

“We both thank Chus Mateo and his staff for the opportunity. It is a privilege for me to be a part of the Chus Mateo Academy Camp for fourth year.

“I would advise every kid from England to attend this camp and become a better player.”

Courtney added: “This is my second year on camp and the training on camp has really improved my skills and help me to become a better player.”

Josh and Nathan are both attending the camp for the first time.

“The camp is very intense and I feel like I am improving each day.” said Josh.

Nathan added: “The camp has been good so far and I hope to come back in the future.”

Chus Mateo Academy Basketball Camp 2018
Basketball Wales

Gordos and Lythe De Pee selected for Wales U16 at Euros

Manchester Magic’s Luke Gordos and Henry Lythe De Pee have been selected to represent Wales at the Small Countries European Champions (also known as Division C) in Serravalle, San Marino on 3rd to the 11th July.

They play Malta, Gilraltar, Scotland and Andorra in their group stages, their schedule is as follows:

3rd July Malta 60-71 Wales at 1:30pm

Luke Gordos played 37 minutes had 22 points 7 rebounds 9 assists 3 steals

Henry Lythe De Pee played 7 minutes had 1 rebound  

5th July Wales 68-71 Gibraltar at 7:00pm

Luke Gordos played 17 minutes had 3 points 7 rebounds 3 assists 

Henry Lythe De Pee played 22 minutes had 5 points 2 rebounds 4 assists 2 steal

7th July Scotland 58-65 Wales at 11:30am

Luke Gordos played 37 minutes had 16 points 11 rebounds 5 assists 4 steals 1 block

Henry Lythe De Pee played 11 minutes had 2 rebounds 1 steal

8th July Wales 56-50 Andorra at 4:30pm

Luke Gordos played 29 minutes had 7 points 4 rebounds 4 assists 4 steals

Henry Lythe De Pee played 9 minutes had 4 points 1 rebounds

10th July Wales 66-56 San Marino at 7:00pm (Semi-Final)

Luke Gordos played 39 minutes had 20 points 4 rebounds 4 assists 3 steals 3 blocks

Henry Lythe De Pee played 8 minutes had 2 points 2 rebounds 1 assist

11th July Andorra 84-49 Wales at 6:00pm (Final)

Luke Gordos played 21 minutes had 10 points 5 rebounds 1 assist

Henry Lythe De Pee played 13 minutes had 2 points 2 rebounds 1 assist 1 steal

Wales finish in second place

Visit our Summer of International Basketball article here to stay up to date with the latest international results this summer.

Magic sign Ali Sbai 2018-19

Magic make Sbai second signing for 2018-19 season

The Manchester Magic have wasted no time in signing the talented youngster Ali Sbai for the NBL Division One Men 2018-19 Season.

The 6ft 5in Moroccan/British Small Forward Sbai joins the Magic from league rivals Reading Rockets, where he played 25 games last season, making 3 starts, averaged 15.7 minutes per game, 7.3 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, making 1.2 3-pointers per game.

The 20 year-old, is Coach Verbukas’s second signing of the summer, joining the returning Kayin Darbey, and Sbai is excited to be on board, “I’m excited to play for the Magic because when I played against them in the past, the atmosphere was amazing and you can see how much support the community gives to the club. I can’t wait to be a part of the Magic family.”

Sbai and Magic Head Coach Verbukas have worked together before as Sbai explains: “When I first met Coach Ollie it was at Deng Camp, he helped me so much.

“I’ve always wanted him as a Head Coach because I know that he can get the best out of me. I can’t wait.”

Coach Verbukas is thrilled to welcome Sbai to Manchester, “We are delighted to welcome Ali to the Magic family.

“Ali is a very passionate player who I’ve worked with over previous years at the Deng Top 50 Camp.

“He is a proven junior with experience in NBL Division One and we look forward to working with him to achieve this season’s objectives.” 

Image Credit: Deng Camp

Manchester Mystics

Eight Mystics selected for U13 regional tournament – results

Eight Mystics have been selected to represent the North West at the Under 13 Girls Regional Development Tournament on 7th-8th July at the National Basketball Performance Centre.

Mystics’ Daisy Bryan, Eleni Vourliotis, Josephine Vourliotis, Emily Taylor, Esha Nayar, Ndey Mahmoud, Olivia Forster, and new recruit Holly Stones will be joined at the Tournament by Mystics’ Joe Andrew as Assistant Coach and Samantha Forster as Team Manager.

Results:

Saturday 7th July

11:00 North West vs South East – North West Win

13:00 North West vs East Midlands – North West Win

15:00 North West vs South – North West Win

Sunday 8th July

11:30 North West vs South West (Semi-Final) – North West Win

15:00 Final North West vs East – East Win

North West Finish 2nd

Manchester Magic logo

Seven Magic players selected for U13 regional tournament – results

Seven Magic players have been selected to represent the North West at the Under 13 Boys Regional Development Tournament on 7th-8th July at the National Basketball Performance Centre.

Magic’s Sam Andrew, Matthew Goodwin, Lucas Ricketts, Moroni Manuel, Robbie Wild, Toby Akinlade and Thomas Kelly will be joined at the Tournament by Magic’s Gary Williams as Head Coach and Suzanne Wild as Team Manager.

Results:

Saturday 7th July

10:00 North West vs Yorkshire – Yorkshire Win

14:00 North West vs South West – North West Win

16:00 North West vs East – East Win

18:00 North West vs West Midlands – North West Win

Sunday 8th July

9:00 North West vs North East – North West Win

11:00 North West vs East Midlands – North West Win

13:30 North West vs South East – North West Win

North West finish 5th

Greg Mpofu Mystics U18 Head Coach 2018-19

Mpofu appointed as full-time Mystics U18 Head Coach

Mbongeni Greg Mpofu has been appointed as head coach of the Manchester Mystics Under 18 National League and WEABL teams for the 2018/19 season.

The 30-year-old has been an integral part of the Mystics coaching team for the past two years.

He now gets the chance to lead the U18 programme on and off the floor.

In another key move for the club, Joe Forber becomes acting director of the Mystics junior programme.

“I’m excited about the project and the opportunity to lead the programme in a new direction, especially in the middle of a crucial period for our sport and the women’s game in particular,” said Mpofu.

“It’s certainly a sizeable challenge, but one I feel I’m suited to.

“Implementing a greater use of performance analysis methods, establishing an enhanced pastoral set-up, and encouraging players to have greater ownership of their development and progression pathways will be crucial to the success of the project.”

The Mystics U18s reached last season’s NBL Final Fours under the guidance of Joe Andrew, Natalie Feurtado and Mpofu.

Guiding Mpofu in his new role and overseeing the entire Mystics junior programme is the club’s co-founder Forber.

He has spent the past 18 months re-energising the girls’ set-up from the bottom up and is behind a new U12 league for teams in the north of England.

“We are now building a deep and good quality coaching staff and Greg will be a very important member of the group,” said Forber.

“We are in the very early stages of building a top girls’ programme from Under 12 to Under 18 and WEABL.

“The coaches are very much together and their passion and enthusiasm will begin to pay dividends as we move forward.

“I am happy to help the programme in any way I can and look forward to seeing all our coaches further their basketball careers.”

Kayin Darbey returns 2018-19

Manchester Magic starting to build for the 2018-19 season

The Manchester Magic are delighted to announce that our first signing of the summer is British point guard Kayin Darbey. The long serving play-maker will be suiting up for the team once again.

Darbey is known for his lighting quick guard play, has committed to continue with the club once again. The 6 foot ball-handler has been a loyal and much valued club member since his junior years.

Head coach Verbukas is happy to see Kayin continue with the club.

“Kayin is a loyal member of the programme and has great character. I am delighted to see with us again next season.

“He has a lot of experience in this league and that will help us massively as we look to build a team ready for the challenge NBL Division One basketball brings.

“He is a player we always value, as he is not just a good player, but also has great character that fits with our club ethos.”

Darbey commented, “Playing for the Manchester Magic provides intense training and a great team atmosphere both off and on the court – whilst maintaining a high standard of basketball.

“Coach Ollie has a huge passion for basketball and knows a lot about the sport, I feel he can teach me a lot this season.”

We will have more announcements in the coming weeks.

Maggie Forber Tournament 2019

Maggie Forber Invitational Basketball Tournament Schedule

Maggie Forber Invitational Basketball Tournament Schedule (4×7-minute quarters)

The top two teams in Pool A and Pool B will move forward to the semi-finals on Sunday. The teams finishing 3rd in Pool A and 3rd and 4th in Pool B will play a round robin schedule on Sunday to decide who finishes 5th, 6th and 7th.

Pools

Pool APool B
MyerscoughMystics U18
Mystics U16Sevenoaks
SheffieldSouthend
Vixens

Tournament Schedule

Saturday 30th June
10:00   
C1 (G1)Mystics U1653-33Sheffield
C3 
11:20   
C1 (G2)Sevenoaks60-35Southend
C3 (G3)Myerscough52-42Sheffield
12:40   
C1 (G4)Mystic U1857-19Vixens
C3 
14:00   
C1 (G5)Myerscough48-41Mystics U16
C3 (G6)Sevenoaks57-26Vixens
15:20   
C1 (G7)Southend37-51Mystics U18
16:40   
C1 (G8)Mystics U1839-44Sevenoaks
C3 (G9)Southend49-43Vixens
Sunday 1st July
10:00   
C1 5th-7th (G10)Sheffield62-24Vixens
C3   
11:15   
C1 Semi-Final (G11)Myerscough48-39Mystics U18
C3 5th-7th (G12)Southend44-40Vixens
12:30   
C1 Semi-Final (G13)Sevenoaks43-26Mystics U16
13:45   
C1 3rd-4th (G14)Mystics U1858-36Mystics U16
C3 5th-7th (G15)Sheffield59-49Southend
15:00   
C1 Final (G16)Myerscough36-43Sevenoaks
16:15Presentations
17:00Finish

Final Table

1. Sevenoaks

2. Myerscough

3. Mystics U18

4. Mystics U16

5. Sheffield

6. Southend

7. Vixens

Sevenoaks Suns 2018

Tournament Champions: Sevenoaks Suns

Sevenoaks Katie Richards MVP

Georgia Jones MVP Sevenoaks’s Katie Richards

Manchester Magic logo

Magic U12s win Leeds Basketball Tournament

The Manchester Magic Under 12s took part in the Leeds Basketball Tournament this past weekend at Leeds Beckett University, taking home the trophy after being crowned Tournament champions.

The team played four games on each day, against teams from around the Country; the Magic side remained the only team undefeated at the end of the two day event to pick up the silverware.

Saturday’s results

York Eagles 13-61 Manchester Magic

City of Birmingham 9-49 Manchester Magic

Manchester Magic 91-8 Leeds II

Manchester Magic 34-24 Brentwood I

Sunday’s results

Manchester Magic 37-16 Mersey Mavericks

Manchester Magic 26-24 Brentwood I

Nottingham Hoods 14-37 Manchester Magic

Leeds I 22-40 Manchester Magic

Manchester Magic U12 Leeds Tournament 2018