Thurs 3rd March
The U13's travelled to Sir David English for the Dorset School Sports Competition by Sainsbury's. The team was looking strong, and had been picked from a very full and popular pathway. The team has grown over the year and some great talent has appeared and continues to grow.
Games were to be 6mins long in a full round-robin league over the afternoon. As games were so short, any small mistake or lucky shot could sway results.
TEAM: Nic Wilke, Tobias Strongman, Brendan Wilson, Max Metcalfe, Will Kernan, Kian Safaee, Hugo Leigh-Watts.
We first faced Leaf Academy, and using our brilliant running and pace, we found fast breaks and easy baskets. Brendan Wilson was finishing well and it ended 6-0 to us. It could have been more, but a first win set the pace for the rest of the afternoon.
Next up were Bournemouth School for Girls. Fair play to the girls for sticking at it, all afternoon but it was one way traffic. Tobias Strongman was scoring at will, and some great defence held them at bay. Will Kernan was running well and Nic Wilke controlled the game from the point. It ended 16-0.
Then the always strong and tall, Poole Grammar. This was a close game, with the result could have dropped either way. A few loose passes, aiming too long down the court and a few missed oppurtunities on lay-ups, meant that they could use their height on the inside to finish. It ended 0-6.
BSB, coached by Micheal Dryuk of the South Coast Tigers, were well versed and played good solid Defence. (albeit a Zone, which is banned at this age) but our guys were moving the ball well, and finding holes. Brendan had a chance from a great team move, but rattled the shot. They scored on the fast break to take the lead and we couldnt find a way for a good shot. Max almost tied it, with a long range effort, but time ran out on us. it ended 0-2.
Harewood College were next and our guys played a good, solid game. Some good defence and some fast breaks meant it was one way traffic. Hugo Leigh-Watts had some good steals, anticipating the passes and again Brendan was finding the basket. It finished 6-2.
The final game, Poole High, was a close affair, and although we had the better chances, and the majority of the ball and possesion, we couldnt capitilise. Time ran out at 0-0.
This meant that Poole Grammar won the tournament, with BSB Tigers in 2nd winning the Bournemouth District spot in the next round. Poole High 3rd by points difference over us. A great day out with a good result. This team really has potential to bond and compete over the next few seasons. These core players showed they have what it takes and there is more talent in the "fringe" players vying for places in the team.
However, the boys were a little disappointed knowing how close we were to advancing to the County tournament in a few weeks. A single basket vs Poole High would have sealed 3rd, and another single basket vs Tigers would have sealed the Bournemouth District spot.