County Success for Seniors

The senior basketball team were crowned champions of Greater Manchester following a memorable afternoon at the Ameachi Centre in Whalley Range. Having qualified to represent the borough of Oldham as local cup holders the team were pitted against the cream of the other nine regions.

Philips School from Bury were the first obstacle safely negotiated as the Saddleworth outfit hit top form from the very start of the tournament registering an impressive 19-0 whitewash. Other pool victories followed against Lowton, Wigan (26-8), Altrincham (16-8) and a last gasp comeback over Wright Robinson Sports College in which the boys recovered from a 9-2 early deficit to take the lead for the first time in the dying seconds to clinch an 18-16 triumph. Captain and talisman Allistair Lloyd led the way for the team and was in inspirational form throughout the afternoon. He was ably assisted by forwards Darryl Shaw and Rylan Dickinson and Year 10 pupils Harrison Buckley and Brad Rogerson.

A semi-final showdown against Alder school from Tameside, the runners up of Pool B, proved a one sided affair as Saddleworth raced to a commanding lead from which the opposition never recovered. Saddleworth were able to use their bench players Marcus Carter Strutt, Tom Matthews and the promising talent Ethan Buckey from Year 8!!! In the other semi-final Wright Robinson defeated St Annes of Stockport to set up a repeat a final which was a repeat of the fantastically close group match played out earlier in the day. This game was to prove even more dramatic although it didn't look that way at first as Saddleworth opened up a 5 point advantage at 7-2. Some sharp shooting from Wright Robinson and sloppy defence from Saddleworth turned the tables and with five minutes remaining it was Wright Robinson that now led 10-7. The teams traded baskets and with the scores locked at 15-15 with 11 seconds on the clock Allistair Lloyd took control and ran down the time before releasing one final shot which circled the ring and MISSED signalling overtime! With Wright Robinson in foul trouble Saddleworth dominated the period of extra time and some cool shooting under pressure from Shaw and Dickinson secured a 21-15 victory and the title of County Champions.

Saddleworth will now have a home tie in the English Schools' knock out competition later in the term.

Article added on Wednesday 12th February 2014

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