The weekly roundup is back! Check out the the scores and coaches' thoughts from week 10 of the National league season.
Week 10 saw 10 games underway across the North in the Junior National League.
Let's see how it all went down as we roundup week 10 of the 2023/24 National League season.
Saturday 2nd December 2023
Hatfield Fliers vs COLBA
U18 Men North I Conference
Result: 39-71 (W)
Player of the game: Sean Engbison
Coach Matt Newby: "Really positive outing with a smaller rotation that usual, we played top of the league team in our conference and in mature display, which saw us manage the could trouble incredibly well, we came out on top. There was a really strong outings from the usual suspects, Marcello Maffezzoli, Max Stead ad Akil Simpson, but Sean Engbison once again provided the spark on defence and closed out with Avery efficient performance. It was great team performance to get it over the line."
COLBC U16 Girls Black vs Sheffield Hatters II
U16 Girls North Conference
Result: 39-62 (L)
Player of the game: Lucy Mills
Coach Katie Lamond: "Really impressive performance by the U16s Black. The girls showing their ability to fight and step up against a physically strong Sheffield Hatters team. The girls kept up with the speed and intensity of the game very well! especially at the beginning of the game. No.7 Lucy Mills setting the standard for the game instantly. Pressure and transitional recovery forcing turnovers and opposition mistakes, allowing us some control over the game.
Our offensive transition secured some nice team baskets. N0.11 Jasmine Muir and N0.12 Elizabeth Asonmwonri demonstrating their exceptional vision and passing abilities, with players like N0.8 Rebeca Dragomir and N0.5 Maggie Newby running a head of the play, getting themselves in a good , threatening spaces. Defence was a tough ask this week! Hatters being both quick and physical. Captain Niahm Martin, N0.14 Sophie Ramshaw and Jasmine Muir putting on a strong defensive shift as always. Making the effort to rotate, help each other, and physically put their body on the line to protect the basket. We had a hard time dealing with the defensive pressure up the court, and although half court offensive rotation was better - we still have some aspects to improve on! However, the girls really gave their all. Improving every week. Great team performance. One day at a time!"
COLBC U16 Boys Gold vs Derby Trailblazers
U16 Boys North Premier
Result: 76-34 (L)
Player of the game: Ivan Ausekar
Coach Sam Messam: "A tough day at home for the CoL as they faced their closest team in the league standings. The CoL got off to their customary start, and despite the size difference, Derby stood head and shoulders above the home side, the CoL struck first in a bid to take control. The first half was a close affair with both teams enjoying mini runs. The second half saw the CoL push to increase their lead, but then suffer a change in tactics as Derby forced the ball inside, taking advantage of their size and gaining control of the game. It wasn’t long before Derby pushed their lead out to 15 points, securing their first victory of the season."
COLBC U14 Girls vs York Eagles
U14 Girls North Conference
Result: 32-81 (L)
Player of the game: Natasha Kumaraswamy
Coach Greta Stout: "We were eager to play the undefeated York Eagles to test out our basketball ability and put everything that we have been learning in practices into Saturday’s game.
The girls started the game with the right focus and physicality, connecting their passes and making good drives to the basket on offence. The Eagles were unable to contend with Amelia Clayton and Natasha Kumaraswamy early in the game and they managed to convert a number of lay ups and free throws to points on the board. The team was communicating well and making positive rotations on defence keeping the Eagles to 8 points in the first quarter.
Amelia Sherwood demonstrated her growing confidence playing alongside the older girls and finished the quarter with a great swish. We were feeling like the game will go our way having a 2 point lead after the first 10 minutes of the game.
In the 2nd quarter we found ourselves not being able to stop the Eagles No. 4 who made a couple of great shots and kept pushing the ball in transition. Whilst trying to prevent the Eagles building a big lead, we struggled with our own opportunities to score. We allowed them too many easy second chances out of offensive rebounds, leading to us losing the 2nd quarter by double digits.
In the second half of the game the girls were being physical trying to break the Eagles press, but we felt short on some occasions turning the ball over and providing more opportunities for them to score some fast break points. Jessica Wooward kept pushing the ball down the court trying to create some opportunities for COLB, but York was a very physical and very experienced on defence, not allowing us any easy shots on offence. The girls kept fighting and showed some great basketball at both ends of the court. Some young girls stepped up gaining valuable game time which will help build their confidence and their passion for the game was great to experience. We will keep improving one game at the time!"
COLBC U14 Boys Gold vs St Helens Saints (PENDING)
U14 Boys North Premier
Result: 36-91 (L)
Player of the game:
Coach Ryan Weir: "
COLBC U14 Boys Black vs Grimsby Phoenix
U14 Boys North I Conference
Result: 45-64 (L)
Player of the game: Dylan Storey
Coach Jake Shuttlewood: "An anticipated matchup which saw the U14s Black against a tough Grimsby side. The boys started very strong with focus and physicality which showed in the steals which led to transition baskets. The boys kept on fighting in the second quarter and even saw some great sharing play with sharp assists from Dylan Storey and Archie Locke. Our half-court offence looked fantastic at times with some quick cuts to basket which secured opportunities with layups and space to even shoot some threes! Unfortunately, we struggled to hold the lead against a taller Phoenix side as they out-rebounded us at most opportunities which gave them two-three chances per possession. A tough one for the team but showed us some weaknesses which need working on in practice."
York Eagles vs COLBC U14 Boys White
U14 Boys North I Conference
Result: 107-6 (L)
Player of the game: Noah Jones
Coach Olly Kerwin-Clegg: "An away outing to an unbeaten York was never going to be an easy trip for the U14 White players. Nevertheless the players attempted to play the game the right way with defensive discipline and assertive drives. Sadly these positives were negated by a tactful and more physically imposing York Side. Despite the score line and rebounding struggles many players showed their own character and displayed the resilience asked of within the team. Players like Noah Jones and Jenson Latham-Gonzales made an effort to personify the phrase heart over height through the whole game against bigger matchups.
A tough result leaves us with good knowledge of where we need to improve and the team have already expressed desire to Make this a positive learning experience."
Sunday 3rd December 2023
Manchester Mystics III vs COLBC U16 Girls Gold
U16 Girls North Conference
Result: 61-65 (W)
Player of the game: Zoe Nathaniel
Coach Katie Lamond: "Incredibly tense game today! Both teams giving their absolute all. Neither side wanting to go away with a loss. Mystics never disappoint. A team who hustle in every quarter. Their desire to win the ball back caused us problems throughout the game today. The intention to hunt down the ball after a turn over forced us to make quick decisions, luring us into their pace. A little scrappy in moments, it took us a few possessions to find our control.
Once composed, our pressure gave us a little breathing room in the first half. Doubling players in the front court and intercepting long passes gave us control of the game. When we were all on the same page, the girls pressure defence prevented Mystics from converting easy baskets, forced mistakes and turnovers. Allowing us to score on a break, and keep Mystics to 9 points at the end of the second. Some really positive options offensively, N0.7 Sophie Conroy and N.08 Zoe Nathaniel linking up nicely early on in the game. As always N0.9 Victory Uzomah demonstrating her natural ability to drive past defenders and finish with finesse. Followed by exceptional rebounding by N0.14 Aimee Robinson.
The third quarter, Manchester came out blazing. Pushing down the floor, driving and finishing through gaps in our defence. The new intensity knocked our motivation, forcing us to rush on offence , with the absence of defensive recovery. This not only allowed mystics back into the game, but meant that we were now trailing. However towards the end of the 3rd quarter moving in the fourth , the team found their pace and composure. Pressure and desire to win the ball back meant that we were able to make key stops and interceptions. Tightening up on our half court defence , making it much harder for mystics to drive through. Offensively, Zoe Nathaniel's movement and physicality lead her to go on a scoring run, followed by incredible rebounding from the team, gave us back the motivation to attack and take the game. Brilliant game of basketball. Impressive performance. The way the girls came together in that final quarter was exceptional. We love a good win on the road."
Leeds LDM II vs COLBC U16 Boys White
U16 Boys North I Conference
Result: 83-30 (L)
Player of the game: Loukas Vrahoulakis
Coach Jake Shuttlewood: "The first Leeds derby of the season for the U16s White which saw them travel a short distance across town to the Mandela Community Centre. A highly anticipated game which brought an energy from both the team but also the crowd as some of the U16s Black cohort came to support their fellow COLBC teammates! The boys started with an energy which gave them an important grasp on the game to persist throughout the first quarter. A sharp start from Loukas Vrahoulakis allowed an early breakdown in the LDM side with two quick transition baskets. Hannes Au kept his composure and started the offence on multiple occasions to get us into our stride. Although, LDM showed their physical size which we struggled with throughout the rest of the game as they rebounded on both ends of the floor. We showed some moments of team based basketball which we should look to replicate in future games. The boys kept fighting right into the fourth quarter and managed to score the most they had all game with some sharp one-two play into some kicks to Suhial Khaleqi who managed to score his first National Leauge points from the three-point line. Although the result was not what we wanted, I am looking forward to moving into the next game!"
Rounding off the tenth weekend of the National League season, COLBC Director Matt Newbynoted the improvements across the programme as we head into the last couple of weeks before Christmas break:
"In the build up to Christmas, teams are beginning to establish rhythm and a better understanding of who they are. We are seeing some significant improvements in individual and team development, which is critical moving into the new year.
If you have the opportunity to catch the Division 3 game this Saturday against local rivals LDM, we would be very grateful of your amazing support.”
You can grab tickets now for this week's game by clicking this link - https://www.cityofleedsbasketballfoundation.com/tickets
The roundup will return next week after a 14 game slate on week 11 of the National League season.