The Under 13 and Under 15 leagues came to an end on Saturday when the playoff final fours were held at the Nottingham Wildcats Arena.

 

In the Under 13 competition, the ever-dominant Manchester Magic I completed a perfect season, beating the Sheffield Junior Sharks 106-39 in the semi final before taking down Newham All-Star Sports Academy in the playoff final, 85-78.

 

The two wins on Saturday gave the Magic I a 16-0 record for the 2009-10 season.

 

Raheem Idris and Joe Swindells combined for 53 of the Magic's 85 points in the final against Newham, but it was the former who was selected as MVP for his game-high 28 points. Idris' partner Swindells also had a superb game with 25 points, 21 boards and 6 blocks, but he did commit 10 turnovers.

 

The only time Newham led was after Jonathan James opened the game with a deuce, but the London club made Manchester earn each point. 

 

Despite holding a 20 point lead in the third with a little over six minutes left, Newham chopped away and managed to tie the game at 68 when Sydney Ekiyo scored inside midway through the fourth. The Magic called time, regained composure, and built the lead back up for the win.

 

James' 23 was Newham's best, followed by Ekiyo and Calvin Kinto who had 16 apiece. 

 

Brentwood Fire I took third place, beating Sheffield 66-58.

 

In the Under 15 final fours, Newham were again forced into the runner-up position after being defeated quite heavily by the Solent Kestrels, 81-46.

 

A 14-12 Kestrels' lead at the end of one had all the makings of a tight game in Nottingham, but Solent took complete control for the remainder with a 17-point halftime lead and doubling that to 34 heading into period number four.

 

George Beard's 26 point, 15 rebound double-double was enough to earn him the finals MVP, but his teammate Shane Massey wasn't far behind, scoring 22 and hauling in 13 off the glass. All 12 Kestrels got on the floor and ten of those managed to find the bottom of the net.

 

George Jarvis (14) and Alex Semanda (10) were the leaders for the Newham All-Stars.

 

The Under 15 semi finals were arguably the tightest games of the day. Solent were able to prevent the Magic from reaching another final by edging them out 69-68 in the first semi, while over on court two, Newham ended Leeds Tigers' undefeated season with a 64-62 win.

 

In the third place playoff, Manchester managed a bronze medal after beating Leeds comfortably, 83-50.

 

 

 

Manchester Magic I	106	v	39	Sheffield Junior Sharks
Newham All Star Sports Academy	77	v	60	Brentwood Fire I

Sheffield Junior Sharks	58	v	66	Brentwood Fire I

Manchester Magic I

85

v

78

Newham All Star Sports Academy

Stats

 

 Under 15 Boys

 

Manchester Magic	68	v	69	Solent Kestrels
Newham All-Star Sports Academy	64	v	62	Leeds Tigers

Manchester Magic	83	v	50	Leeds Tigers

Solent Kestrels

81

v

46

Newham All-Star Sports Academy

Stats

 

 Photos - Phil Foster