The team delivered an outstanding performance, finishing first overall against strong competition from Basildon, Billericay, and Wickford.

Year 7 District Basketball Tournament Report:

One of the highlights of the year: the discovery of a fresh cohort of young academy learners and the emergence of their talents, personalities and uniqueness. This collective, like of all year groups, hasn't disappointed - overspilling with passion, enthusiasm and dedication.

Our Year 7 basketball team have been setting their alarms, rooting themselves in rock-solid discipline rather than ephemeral motivation, and getting themselves to before-school basketball training for 7.30am with metronomic consistency. 

The District Tournament prep cycle opened with a baptism of fire, a 29-2 hammering at the hands of an experienced St John Payne side with multiple club players, us with none. All beginners. In case the challenge level was insufficient, an even more formidable foe awaited the next day. Our team fell 47-3 to an absolute force of nature in the St Thomas More Year 7 side, who had probably the best Year 7 player I've ever seen. Fears were faced. Lessons were learned. Resilience was instilled. The prep cycle was then closed out with a 42-0 loss to a class outfit in Riverside School, a basketball academy with 2 full-time basketball coaches and what could easily have passed as a team of Year 9s. 'To be the best you must beat the best' - well whilst we couldn't quite beat the best at this early stage in our 5-year basketball development journey here at the Academies, at least we could stand toe-to-toe with the best. The improvement arc of our stellar 7's was exceptionally steep. But would they possess the resilience and fortitude to bounce back and perform in the tournament?

As we boarded the bus, a team comprised only of boys that had attended training earlier that same week, the lads were excited and focused. Maybe even a little nervous too. Warming up with poise, concentration and unity, the growth of the group since starting basketball only a matter of weeks before was evident. Again, up against opponents with club players, us with none, we could lean only on our hard work and dedication to date.

The first game against Beauchamps ended in a scoreless draw in the tournament-friendly 5-minute game format. What? The boys were surprised, even rattled. They had hoped to get off to a winning start and now needed to dust themselves down, re-calibrate and refocus on the task at hand: a contest against local rivals, De La Salle. In a great show of teamwork and togetherness, the boys fought for a 4-2 victory. Back on track!

Up next were a bigger and more physically imposing Billericay side. Against all odds, our boys triumphed in what would end up being the biggest victory of the entire tournament, winning 6-0. Now, in the final game of the day, the only way of keeping our championship hopes alive was to defeat a strong Bromfords team. In a truly gripping back and forth, end-to-end game, we found ourselves 3-2 down with 1 minute to go. Was it all over? Enter Iwinosa. The Young Lion leaked out in transition, weaved through a couple of defenders, took it to the rack and laid the ball up. Bucket - and game! And so it was that our boys would be crowned District Tournament champions. To sweeten this victory further, our team also secured a spot to compete in District Division 1 for this season.

What a group. What strength of character. To bounce back from 3 tough losses and then galvanise and claim victory in a tournament laden with drama is nothing short of outstanding. It is a stark reminder that on the other side of sacrifice and struggle is success and satisfaction. The only route to success is to embrace the failure which comes before it. Our team embodied our basketball mantra: obsession beats talent.

Who knows what untold prosperity awaits around the corner for our Year 7s, our school sport teams and The Academies as a whole...

The future is bright.

Yours in basketball,

Mr Prentice - Sports Studies Leader