St Alban’s youngsters take home schools basketball title
THE Newcastle Catholic Primary School basketball competition, which was postponed in February, took place St Cuthbert’s High School.
All the schools played in a round robin competition with them playing each other twice.
The first game between St Bede’s and St Alban’s proved to be an intriguing contest. St Alban’s had plenty of shots at the basket but were unable to convert any of them, whilst St Bede’s put three of their chances away to run out 6-0 victors.
St Alban’s found their shooting game when they turned Sacred Heart over 8- 0, while St Bede’s beat Sacred Heart over 6-2 to lead the group at the half-way stage.
Things were to change dramatically in the second phase of games.
St Alban’s avenged their first defeat against St Bede’s when they won 4-0, setting up an intriguing last two games. Sacred Heart took an early lead against St Alban’s and just as it looked as though they were going to win, St Alban’s scored in the last minute to draw 2-2.
This meant that going into the last game St Alban’s were now one point above St Bede’s and they had both had the same points difference. A victory or a high-scoring draw would give the title to St Bede’s for a second year running.
However, Sacred Heart had saved their best for last and scored early and held on for a 2-0 victory which gave the crown to St Alban’s by one point over St Bede’s, with Sacred Heart on four points.
Despite finishing second, Matteo Yovogan from St Bede’s won the Most Valuable Player Trophy.