Parnell excels as North School reach the last 16

Basketball

Jay Parnell was in outstanding form as North School’s Varsity Lions moved into the last 16 of the under-19s National Schools Championships with an impressive 69-62 win at Peter Symonds College in Winchester. Parnell proved his credentials as one of the best shooting guards of his age in the country, by being named most valuable player, finishing with 28 points, five rebounds and five assists. Coach Andrew Sunderland said: “Huge credit to our opponents who played at a great pace for the entire game but we showed a lot of maturity and togetherness in the second half.” He added: “A national title is our main goal this season. “We made the last 32 last year, so making the last 16 in the country, is already a massive achievement. “We have a tough home tie next against Aylesbury Grammar School next but the team will be fully focused.” Lions made a perfect start, scoring the game’s opening four points, only to find themselves 14-9 down at the end of the first quarter. They dragged things back to 32-30 at halfway, before the inside-out combination of centre Luke Goodacre and Parnell turned things around, with North 62-51 up at the end of the third quarter. The fourth was played at a cracking pace, Peter Symonds scored six unanswered points to cut the deficit to 65-62 with one minute left. A time-out allowed North time to compose themselves, Parnell closing the game out with four consecutive free throws to complete the victory.

North School’s squad who are through to the last-16 of the under-19 National Schools Championships