The weekly roundup is back! Check out the the scores and coaches' thoughts from week 1 of the new Junior National league season.
A packed out weekend saw the return of competitive Junior National League basketball to LBU Arena on Saturday afternoon, following a morning where over 150 young people continued to take their own steps in the game at our Saturday morning community sessions.
Coaches & players have been working tremendously hard over the last month in preparation for this weekend and we were delighted to see our young people's fantastic attitude towards competition in both wins and losses across the programme.
Without further ado, let's roundup week 1 of the 2023/24 JNL season.
Saturday 30th September 2023
COLBA I vs Teesside Lions
U18 Men North I Conference
Result: 100-71 (W)
Player of the game: Josh Norton
Coach Matt Newby: "A really positive showing against a resilient Teeside Lions and a strong input from our underclassmen who have definitely benefited from a strong preseason. Of note Josh Norton and Isaac Durrant put in very strong shifts with Ethan Utley relishing the opportunity. Max Stead was clinical In the first period which bodes well for future games. The seniors put a strong stamp on the game with Marcello Maffezzoli and Philo Mensen's physical defence throughout and a spark from Sean Engbison. Critically the team gained a better understanding of one another which is important for the season ahead."
COLBC U18 Men vs East Durham Lions
U18 Men North I Conference
Result: 74-84 (L)
Player of the game: Sam Barraclough
Coach Andy Cragg: "A competitive game which we led in parts but a strong defensive 3rd quarter from Durham gave us a small mountain to climb in the 4th. Despite the result this was an excellent outing for our first game of the season."
COLBC U16 Girls Black vs Teesside Lions
U16 Girls North Conference
Result: 54-36 (W)
Player of the game: Rebeca Dragomir
Coach Katie Lamond: "On the first day of the season, unfortunately due to illness and injury, the pressure was on us from the beginning, but despite the low numbers, the girls came out fighting. A little shaky to start, the players rushing down the floor, trying to find their foothold in the game. Once settled, the girls really began to take control. We showed a real positive effort to push the ball in transition, run a head of the play, actively looking for the open player. On the other end, key players on defence making the effort to dive for loose balls and rotate on help. Always something to work on, but a really positive start to the season. It was brilliant to see the girls working hard and having a brilliant time on the court."
COLBC U16 Boys Gold vs Leicester Riders
U16 Boys Northern Premier
Result: 67-81 (L)
Player of the game: Alfie Donohue
Coach Jake Shuttlewood: "A tough start to the season against a well organised Leicester Riders side. We had some spells of fantastic basketball in transition and some good drives to the basket but struggled to rebound the ball which led to second chance possessions. We have a lot to build and work on but I’m happy to start the season with a team which showed some fight against a fierce side. On to the next!”
COLBC U16 Boys Black vs Newcastle Eagles
U16 Boys North I Conference
Result: 34-84 (L)
Player of the game: Max Jablonski
Coach Jake Shuttlewood: "A tough loss on in our first game against a strong Newcastle side. This is a lot of the boys first game in Junior National League and it was a pleasure to see the growth over the fourth quarters. After a lot of first quarter nerves, we settled into the game and started to compete with strong moves to the basket and even some threes! I’m happy with how the first game finished and can’t wait to get back to training to improve again."
Barnsley Metros vs COLBC U16 Boys White
U16 Boys Northern Regional League
Result: 64-34 (L)
Player of the game: Oliver Brack
Coach Jake Shuttlewood: "A great game overall which leaves me with plenty to work with over the season! We started slow with a bit of nervous energy but managed to close some quarters with close back to back scores which brought plenty of energy on the bench. We have lots of work on but I’m proud of how we have started. I am looking forward to the rest of the season with lots of positives."
COLBC U14 Boys Black vs York Eagles
U14 Boys North I Conference
Result: 13-86 (L)
Player of the game: Harry Thompson
Coach Alex McCulloch: "The players fought hard til the very end against a formidable York Eagles team. They showed clear signs of development over the course of the game defensively, with their help side defence, and offensively also, as they started to play on arrival. This gives us some clear objectives to work on this week."
Doncaster Eagles vs COLBC U14 Boys White
U14 Boys North I Conference
Result: 139-15 (L)
Player of the game: Jack Sowerby
Coach Olly Kerwin-Clegg: "The first game of the season saw valuable experience accrued for many new players. We saw consistent heart and effort against a strong Doncaster side. The u14 players got stronger throughout each quarter and we will look to build on this at the earliest opportunity."
Sunday 1st October 2023
Hartlepool Huskies vs COLBC U14 Girls
U14 Girls North Conference
Result: 52-84 (W)
Player of the game: Amelia Sherwood
Coach Matt Newby: "It was a really positive start to the season as we re-engaged our rivalry with the Huskies of Hartlepool in a well-fought game in which our girls produced high outputs in transition, defended very well in the full-court and produced some excellent basketball early in the season. We saw real maturity from our younger players who showed that they have learned a lot of lessons from the previous season."
Rounding off the first weekend of the new Junior National League season, COLBC Director Matt Newby was pleased
"I am very pleased that on the first week of the season, so many young peopel from across the club and the opportunity to step on the floor and play the game they love. For some teams there was some challenging tests, however it is all learning. We are pleased to see that the girls side of the programme continues to go from strength to strength. Coupled with increasing numbers at our revised community schedule, September has been a very positive month."
We will return to action next weekend at LBU Arena with ten games home and away - Good luck to all our young people in practice this week ahead of another great week of basketball.
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