Category: News

Anumba ready to woo Winthrop

Micheal Anumba is the latest player off the Manchester Magic and Loreto Basketball Academy production line to make it to the United States.

The 18-year-old point guard has received a full scholarship to attend Winthrop University, a NCAA Division One college in South Carolina.

We asked him why he chose the Eagles….

MA: “Because of the education and the basketball. Both are very good. I was very impressed with the coach when I went out to visit, too. I love his passion and how hard he works. The facilities are also amazing. The court is just beautiful.”

Why did Winthrop choose you?

MA: “The coach said I’ve got ABC. I’ve got academics, basketball and character. He said I was the perfect player to fit into the Winthrop programme.”

What else did you like about Winthrop?

MA: “I loved how much they wanted me and how much work they put into recruiting. They have other players from all around the world and it felt like one big family. It’s also sunny and hot. When I went out there earlier in the year, it was 20 degrees.”

What are you expecting in your first year?

MA: “I’m going to work hard and earn everyone’s respect. I want to make the team better and become part of the Winthrop family. It’s an experience I’m really looking forward to.”

How has playing for Magic and Loreto prepared you?

MA: “Being coached by Paul (Middleton) and Pete (Paraskeva) has shaped me as a player and as a person. I want to thank them, Magic and Loreto for the opportunities they have given me and for making me the player I am. They have made me a leader and I want to be able to continue my development when I get to Winthrop.”

What will you be studying?

MA: “Accounting and finance.”

What will you miss most about Manchester?

MA: “Definitely not the weather. I’ll miss how much people care about me.”

We are thrilled to welcome Micheal Anumba to the Winthrop Basketball family! #RockTheHill pic.twitter.com/gmjt2EOXqg
— Winthrop Basketball (@Winthrop_MBB) April 12, 2018

Winthrop announced Michael’s signing on their twitter account

April 15, 2018July 17, 2022

Mystics U11 take part in Festival of Basketball at WBBL Trophy Final

The Manchester Mystics Under 11 girls were invited to a Festival of Basketball as part of the WBBL Trophy Final event between at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday.

The Mystics were one of four WBBL Clubs invited, alongside Nottingham Wildcats, Sevenoaks Suns and Sheffield Hatters.

The Girls were taught some basic basketball skills followed by scrimmage games between the four teams; it was greatly enjoyed by all.

After the Festival, all the girls and parents were guests at the WBBL Trophy Final which was played in front of a packed house. In a very tight game between Sevenoaks Suns and Leicester Riders, it was won by the Riders, 68 – 53.

The main objective of the festival was to encourage the young girls to watch top level British women’s basketball, to inspire them to want to play at that level in the future.

For the Mystics girls it was certainly a great success, the girls were coached by Mystics’ WBBL players Rheanne Bailey and Sam Roscoe, who did an outstanding job.

The girls go on to an U11 Tournament on 21 April and an U12 Tournament on 28 April, both in Northants.

April 14, 2018July 17, 2022

Team England Commonwealth Games schedule and results

Manchester Mystics’ Dominique Allen and Georgia Jones are representing Team England at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia. The squads also include a number of former Magic and Mystics players, Hannah Shaw, Mollie Campbell 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. Full Squad lists

Schedule/Results:

Watch games live (when available) via the BBC online here or here

Thursday 5th April Men 08:30 (UK) Group B England 65 – 78 Scotland (Boxscore) (Video)

Callum Jones 22 minutes, 6 points, 4 assists, 1 block, Orlan Jackman 24 minutes, 5 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, Andrew Thomson 21 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist.

Friday 6th April Women 09:30 (UK) Group A Canada 80 – 54 England (Boxscore)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 13 minutes, 2 assists, 1 steal, Georgia Jones 25 minutes, 11 points (top scorer), 1 rebound, 4 assists, Hannah Shaw 18 minutes, 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, Mollie Campbell 13 minutes, 3 points, 3 rebounds, Dominique Allen 15 minutes, 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist.

Saturday 7th April Men 08:30 (UK) Group B England 100 – 54 India (Boxscore)

Callum Jones 24 minutes, 4 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, Orlan Jackman 14 minutes, 8 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals, Andrew Thomson did not play.

Sunday 8th April Women 02:30 (UK) Group A Mozambique 51 – 78 England (Boxscore)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 2 minutes, Georgia Jones 23 minutes, 9 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, Hannah Shaw 9 minutes, 1 rebound, Mollie Campbell 11 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, Dominique Allen 12 minutes, 4 points, 1 rebound.

Sunday 8th April Men 05:00 (UK) Group B Cameroon 54 – 81 England (Boxscore)

Callum Jones 22 minutes, 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, Orlan Jackman 24 minutes, 5 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, Andrew Thomson did not play.

Monday 9th April Women 08:30 (UK) Group A England 55 – 118 Australia (Boxscore)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 22 minutes, 9 points, 4 assists, Georgia Jones 13 minutes, 1 point, 1 assist, Hannah Shaw 18 minutes, 9 points, 2 assists, Mollie Campbell 14 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds, Dominique Allen 23 minutes, 7 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal.

Tuesday 10th April Qualifing Finals Men 08:30 (UK) Canada 97 – 79 England (Boxscore) (Video)

Callum Jones 18 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, Orlan Jackman 18 minutes, 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, Andrew Thomson did not play.

Tuesday 10th April Qualifiing Finals Women 12:00 (UK) England 62 – 40 Jamaica (Boxscore) (Video)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 12 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, Georgia Jones 12 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds 1 assist, 1 block, Hannah Shaw 12 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, Mollie Campbell 3 minutes, Dominique Allen 14 minutes, 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals.

Friday 13th April Women Semi Final 09:30 (UK) Canada 53 – 65 England (Boxscore) (Video)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 2 minutes, 1 steal, Georgia Jones 22 minutes, 7 points, 3 rebounds 2 assists, Hannah Shaw 4 minutes, 1 rebound, Mollie Campbell 14 minutes, 5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, Dominique Allen 15 minutes, 1 steal.

Saturday 14th April Women Gold Medal Game 11:30 (UK) Australia 99 – 55 England (Boxscore) (Video)

Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee 8 minutes, 2 points, 1 rebound, Georgia Jones 16 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds 1 assists, Hannah Shaw 12 minutes, 1 assist, 1 block, Mollie Campbell 11 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebounds, 1 assist, Dominique Allen 15 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds.

April 14, 2018July 17, 2022

Shock Silver for Team England Women’s Basketball at Commonwealth Games

Team England’s Women’s Basketball Team won a shock silver medal at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, after losing, 99-55 , to strong favourites Australia in the Gold medal game on Saturday.

The England team booked their place in the final after a shock 65-53 victory over Canada, who beat England 80-54 in the group stages. A strong defensive performance in the semi-final was the key to securing at least the silver medal for the English team.

Australia proved a step too far for the England squad, a team who have battered all in front of them throughout the Tournament and were strong favourites for the gold medal, and it proved to be. In the group stages England lost by 63 points to the host nation side, so there was improvement in the final having lost by 44, but it wasn’t enough to stop a dominate Australia side.

There was a strong Manchester Mystics presence in the side with current Mystics’ Dominique Allen and Georgia Jones and former Mystics’ Hannah Shaw, Mollie Campbell and Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee all making valuable contributions throughout the Tournament, who all come home with their silver medals, while Georgia Jones also comes home with extra bling as long-time boyfriend Jamell Anderson proposed after the Men’s sides victory over Cameroon on 8th April (Georgia said ‘yes’).

Full results and stats:

Friday 6th April 09:30 (UK) Group A Canada 80 – 54 England (Boxscore)

Sunday 8th April 02:30 (UK) Group A Mozambique 51 – 78 England (Boxscore)

Monday 9th April 08:30 (UK) Group A England 55 – 118 Australia (Boxscore)

Tuesday 10th April Qualifiing Finals 12:00 (UK) England 62 – 40 Jamaica (Boxscore) (Video)

Friday 13th April Semi Final 09:30 (UK) Canada 53 – 65 England (Boxscore) (Video)

Saturday 14th April Women Gold Medal Game 11:30 (UK) Australia 99 – 55 England (Boxscore) (Video)

Team England Silver Commonwealth Games 2018

Image Credit: Basketball England

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.

April 4, 2018July 18, 2022

MVP Anumba ready for the play-offs after Cherbourg win

Michael Anumba is targeting more silverware after Manchester Magic’s victory in Cherbourg’s annual Easter tournament.

The Loreto Sixth Form College pupil was named MVP in France as Magic U18s claimed the title with a 57-47 victory over the City of London Academy in Sunday’s final.

“It was an honour to be named MVP but thanks to my team-mates and coaches for making it happen,” said Anumba.

“It was very important for me to play my part because it is my last year with the Magic. Now it’s all about the play-offs.”

Voted the top junior in Britain at the prestigious Deng Camp, Anumba is destined for the United States this summer after securing at least one full scholarship offer.

In the meantime, the 18-year-old’s attentions now turn to Magic’s NBL Division One play-off at Loughborough Student Riders on Saturday.

It will be a tough task for Paul Middleton’s side, who go up against a Riders team who have beaten them twice in the last two weeks.

Both games were close contests, but Riders will be favourites after finishing top of the table at the end of the regular season.

Anumba is also looking forward to joining up with his U18 team-mates again before the season is out.

The U18s have also made the play-offs after finishing third in the Premier North table.

“We’ve shown what we can do in Cherbourg,” added Anumba. “If we stick together, support each other and play good defence, then anything is possible.”

April 1, 2018July 18, 2022

Magic U18 success at Cherbourg Tournament

The Manchester Magic U18s headed to Cherbourg, France, for the Annual Easter Tournament, after tough competition over three days the Magic U18s side came home as Tournament Champions.

Results:

Friday 30th March

Magic U18 beat Guadeloupe 58-41

Saturday 31st March

Magic U18 lost to Tunisia 47-45

Magic U18 beat hosts Cherbourg 64-35

Sunday 1st April

Magic U18 beat Vilnius 59-52 in the Semi Final

Magic U18 beat City of London Basketball Academy 57-47 in the Final

Magic U18’s Samni Fajana made it through to the Spalding Dunk Contest Final

Michael Anumba was named the Final’s MVP and a member of the All-Star 5.

#TournoiU18M : Et le MVP de la finale est …
Mickael Anomba de @Mcr_Magic !#ASCherbourg pic.twitter.com/ymhu2J3lPg
— AS Cherbourg Basket (@ascbasket) April 1, 2018