U16 Final Four 2007: The Champions!

After the heart-wrenching 2-point loss against the Manchester Magic in the U15s final at RAF Cranwell in 2006, the training campaign for U16 started the next training session. All summer, players were skipping, running, and doing some more running (bleeps and miles), in addition to working on fundamentals and shooting, making sure that they would be ready and much improved for the 2006-07 U16 Premier season, ready to play two tough games on the same day for next year’s Final Four. Winning the Sureshot U16s National Cup, breaking Manchester’s 101-game winning streak at the Amaechi Centre early in the season, and winning the toughest Premier division in the country, would all be put to the test at the 2007 RAF Final Fours in Cosford. There was a massive disappointment for Dan James, who was struck down by a virus on Wednesday. The big competitive squad policy was rewarded since Joseph Baugh would fill his place. Dan’s support during the weekend, while unable to play himself, was just another sign of the team’s ultimate togetherness. Quite a few of the players were feeling the pain of a long season, especially Rob Dawson, who probably battled gravity a few times too often.

Semi-Final

TeamSpirit Sheffield Junior Sharks 77 (23, 40, 56)
Solent Kestrels 49 (13, 24, 34)

The Solent Kestrels had knocked dark-horse 3rd place finishers Manchester Magic out in the quarterfinals. They had also managed to beat most of the teams in Southern Premier and as a club, the Solent Kestrels have an excellent reputation for playing smart and fundamental basketball. While Derby would face surprise conference package Spelthorne Atoms, the Junior Sharks were matched up against serious contender Kestrels. It also seemed as if all of Southampton had gone to Cosford, making it a wonderful atmosphere together with all the fans from Sheffield. From the nervy opening, it was clear that both sides had done their home work well. Kestrels’ switching on the screens required the boys to adjust, and the Sharks’ hallmark press caused the Southampton team trouble. In spite of not playing their best offensive game, the defense stifled the Kestrels in setting up their dangerous set offense and the Junior Sharks jumped out to a first-quarter lead. Mykel Moodie came off the bench for tenacious energy and showed that he is one of the fastest players in the country with his gravity-defying fast breaks, Evan Williams did his spell of solid play, and Dan Cox coolly hit his points as they accounted for the last 8 points of the quarter, Sharks leading 23-13, in spite of the deafening noise during time-outs—a special thanks to the supporter with the high screeching horn. Solent’s danger man Kirkman found himself in early foul trouble and would only manage 5 points. Sheffield continued to dominate inside, and with Nigel van Oostrum’s Pistol Pete move bringing Mike Shaft into delirium, went into the half comfortably leading 40-24. Will Hall decided to get into the action in the second half, notching up 10 in the 3rd quarter, equalling the entire Solent quarter production and the lead was now 20+ (56-34). Nick Mugglestone took over some of Greg Steele’s production in the final quarter and it was another typical gritty Sheffield performance, with 4 players in double figures and everyone contributing. Matt Cooke got his traditional hustle play and Joseph Baugh remembered just in time that he was not LeBron James and hit the floater that finished it at 77-49. Celebrations were muted as all remembered the ‘two-game’ Final Four motto. Unsurprisingly, it would be Derby Trailblazers in the final, who had easily demolished Spelthorne Atoms (102-60) with a 3-point shooting clinic.

Scores and notables: Greg Steele 15 (6 rebounds, 2 blocked shots), Mykel Moodie 13 (6 rebounds, 3 steals), Dan Cox 12, Will Hall 12 (9 rebounds, 3 assists), Nigel van Oostrum 8 (6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals), Nick Mugglestone 7 (9 rebounds, 2 blocked shots), Matt Cooke 4, Devon van Oostrum 3, Joseph Baugh 2, Rob Dawson 1, Scott O’Donnell, Evan Williams.

The Final

TeamSpirit Sheffield Junior Sharks 99 (22, 39, 74)
Derby Trailblazers 64 (19, 35, 53)

For the past two years, these two teams have been fighting each other at the top, and both teams improved considerably this season, both in terms of bringing in very good basketball players (Derby brought in Leicester’s top shooter and England 91 Tom Perreira, while Sheffield welcomed 3-point shooter Scott O’Donnell from Black Country and England 91 Greg Steele as a transfer from the Manchester Magic in December) and in further developing their own. This season, Sheffield’s won the silverware (cup and league title) by posting a 3-1 record against Derby, and Derby was on for revenge, longing for a match on ‘neutral’ territory. The entire season seemed to have led up to this Final with both teams well prepared to counter each other styles. The smaller Derby team poses problems for any team with their Phoenix Suns type offense, hitting 3s from everywhere against Spelthorne. Sheffield’s strength is team offense and using their inside advantage. And then there was the amazing crowd at the RAF Cosford; Derby and Sheffield supporters overspilled from the stance and every inch of the hall packed. From the first quarter, Nigel van Oostrum was put under great pressure to prevent the Sharks from getting into their sets; Derby faced some tough man-to-man defense, trying to prevent the outside shooting. With the scores going back and forth, Derby’s attempt to stop inside scoring led them into early foul trouble and with big man Tom Mills going the side-lines early, it seemed Sheffield’s advantage. After a 22-19 first-quarter Sheffield lead Greg Steele and Will Hall went on a 7-0 run and Sheffield led by 10. Tom Perreira and Ben Atterbury answered with threes and suddenly it was 31-29 Derby. With the defense terriers Devon van Oostrum and Mykel Moodie now assuming man-marking responsibilities, the game changed. Offensively, Greg Steele overpowered the Trailblazers and Nick Mugglestone ended the quarter with another inside score as Sharks led 39-34 at the half.

The second half will continue to live in Junior Sharks history. From the tip, it seemed as if an entire season’s work came together. Sharks’ superior fitness proved relentless and the hard pre-play off and pre-final four sessions (remember Greg and Scott?) made the players run hard even at this stage. Rob Dawson’s running, Will, Nick and Greg’s perimeter passing and finishing, and Nigel’s new found energy and passing undid the Trailblazers in five minutes as the quarter opened with a 12-0 run, featuring some of the specially installed Derby plays (thanks Oklahoma!). Threes by Perry and Atterbury were quickly countered by Will and Greg’s inside game and Devon’s three. With 3 seconds to go in the quarter, Greg steals the ball, passes to Nigel at the half-court line who fades away, shooting a la the Michael Jordan—Larry Bird MacDonalds commercial (go to youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oACRt-Qp-s), calling the ‘in between the RAF beams nothing but the net’ buzzer-beater swish three. It brought the RAF roof down—buckets and dry-towelling by EB Staff had to be used from then on. When the noise settled, Sharks had just finished a 35-18 quarter and held an insurmountable 74-53 lead. Will Hall’s three-point play and yet another 24-second clock buzzer beater 3 by Nigel made sure of the historic Sheffield result. When Scott O’Donnell hit a bank three and with Matt Cooke on court, there’s always the possibility of donuts, but Matt’s tip fell just short as the buzzer sounded: 99-64 TeamSpirit Sheffield Junior Sharks, and the completion of a 60-29 second half.

Scores and Notables: MVP Greg Steele 29 (20 rebounds, 3 blocked shots, and 1 super assist), Will ‘out of here’ Hall 20 (11 rebounds, 3 assists), Nigel ‘Pistol’ van Oostrum 13 (10 rebounds and ‘only’ 7 assists and 2 steals), Nick Mugglestone 11 (11 rebounds), Mykel ‘Woody Allen-Alley Oop’ Moodie 10 (4 assists), Rob ‘surgery’ Dawson 6, Scott ‘bank’ O’Donnell 3, Devon ‘charge’ van Oostrum 3, Joseph ‘highlight’ Baugh 2, Matt ‘hustle’ Cooke 2, Dan ‘snake-move’ Cox, Evan ‘no miss’ Williams, Dan ‘LeBron’ James, Elliott ‘big smile’ Baxter.

It was a proud moment when the team went out to collect the trophy and championship medals. Greg Steele was deserved MVP with his superior inside moves, finishing, and passing. He’d played the defensive game of his life, collected rebounds for fun and closed out shooters before they realized he was already there. It’s time for a very well deserved rest now, as knees can heal and exams beckon.

Let’s have a great time at Presentation evening—bring all the Trophies!
Next event: See you Sunday May 20th, from 6.30 at Niagara Social Club.