Hoop, hoop hooray for qualifying quartet

THE second Hoops4Health junior tournament of the 2018/19 season took place at City Space, Sunderland University.

Seven primary schools from across Sunderland attended with 23 teams taking part.

The aim of the day was to finish with the four top teams who would progress through to this month’s semi-finals.

After a gruelling 70 round-robin games, the top teams from each of the three courts progressed to the next round.

As the final eight squads battled it out to snatch a top-four finish, Barnes Junior and Farringdon Primary had both their teams drawn against each other - guaranteeing they would have one team making it through to the finals. After a shock early exit last year, Seaburn Dene enjoyed a convincing win against reigning champions Richard Avenue.

St Cuthberts-Wessington proved to be the most exciting game of the day.

Both teams failed to net a shot during regulation time so were forced into a shoot-out.

Each school took it in turns to shoot and after four rounds it was St Cuthbert’s who eventually emerged victorious.

Both St Cuthbert’s and Barnes Junior made it through to the finals last year and will be joined by Seaburn Dene and Farringdon.

With Richard Avenue not making it through to the finals this time around, a new school will be crowned Sunderland Hoops4Health champions for 2019.

Booking their places in the Hoops4Health Sunderland tournament’s semi-finals were Barnes Junior School (left) and Seaburn Dene School (right)

Booking their places in the semi-finals were Farringdon School (below) and St Cuthbert’s (right)