English Schools Basketball Association

U16s National Final
“The President’s Trophy”
Silverdale School V Chadwell Heath Foundation School
Score: 105 to 95
U19s National Final
“The Admiral’s Trophy”
Silverdale School V Greig City Academy
Score: 94 to 68
Hemel Hempstead Sports Centre
Saturday, March 28th 2009 5.00pm

Scintillating Silverdale Basketball Delights Hertfordshire with Double Win

Silverdale School is riding high this week as double national basketball champions after their U16 and U19 teams took on the country’s best and triumphed in Hemel Hempstead last Saturday. Now the coveted and substantial President’s and Admiral’s trophies stay in Sheffield for the next year.

The U16s beat Chadwell Heath Foundation School in a tense game that called on all the abilities of the mature and talented team under Captain John Stewart. With Chadwell Heath bringing an army of supporters from nearby London the Sheffielders were undaunted and outplayed the opposition in a see-saw match that saw them win 105 points to 95. Both Silverdale coaches and Team Manager Helen Duffy gave the greatest compliment to the young but mature team in allowing them to play with direction only being given in the time-outs and between quarters. Top scorers were: Devon Van Oostrum, John Stewart and Jim Rose. After picking up the President’s Trophy, Captain John Stewart was asked what he thought of the win. His response was typical of the team: “It was hard, but we had faith in ourselves and we played for each other. When you play like that you are hard to beat. The team played great.” Jim Rose was made an award for an outstanding contribution to the game.

The U19s faced Greig City Academy from London a few hours later, requiring some of the U16s to refuel and rest before taking to the court again. In a game of different character the U19s led from start to finish with the Londoners battling throughout the match. The Silverdale team played with the conviction that the game was theirs and showed the crowd how capable they were at both attacking basketball and awesome defense. Whether shooting from the outside or taking the ball through to the basket, the Silverdale men showed magnificent skills and superior fitness. The final Score was Silverdale 94, Greig City, Top Scorers were John Stewart, Captain Will Hall and Devon Van Oostrum. Captain Will Hall observed after the game: “We know one another well, we like each other and we play together a lot. These are magic ingredients. We are pleased for the school for the support and encouragement that they have given to us all.” Devon Van Oostrum was made an award for an outstanding contribution to the game.

Team Manager Helen Duffy was thrilled with the performances: “Two wonderful teams; they did the school and themselves proud. They are great bunch of young men who show much that is positive in young people in the commitment, sacrifices to training, and the care for one another that they show. Two national championship teams really puts Silverdale on the schools basketball map.”

U16s photograph left to right: Atif Khan, Devon Van Oostrum, Chris Hughes, Captain John Stewart with trophy, Jim Arundale, Rob O’Neill, Jim Rose, Chris Barr, Tom Oakes.

U19s Photgraph with Molten displays to either side left to right back row: Captain Will Hall, Danny Cox, Chris Hughes, Rob O’Neill, Tom Webster, John Stewart, Atif Khan. Front Row: David Spilman, Devon Van Oostrum, Jim Rose.
Ends