Squad jumps through Hoops after court win
School’s Rich pickings in tournament finale JUNIOR BASKETBALL
NORTHUMBERLAND’S primary school Hoops4Health finalists did battle prior to the Newcastle Eagles’ game with Cheshire Phoenix.
A new name would be on the winners’ trophy as champions Ponteland Middle were not able to defend their title.
In the end, the honours went to Richard Coates, who now go through to the tournament’s Champion of Champions final in May.
Richard Coates were joined at Sport Central by Malvin’s Close who entered two teams - and Morpeth Road.
Other council area semi-finals in this competition have been tight but this was the closest yet.
In the first game Malvin’s Close’s two sides went head to head knowing the school would have a team in the final.
The pair could not be separated and were left to battle it out in a shoot-out, where only one basket separated them.
Richard Coates then took on Morpeth Road.
Morpeth took the lead after just one and half minutes and as time ran out it looked like they were going straight to the final.
However, Richard Coates spoilt the party - netting a shot with only one second of regulation time left.
They then capitalised on this in the shoot-out, beating Morpeth 1-0 and securing their final spot.
Malvin’s Close came out firing on all cylinders but were unable to convert any of their early attempts at the basket.
Richard Coates then upped their game and as the clock ran down it looked as though a third shoot-out of the night would be needed to determine the winner.
With only 20 seconds left, however, Richard Coates put up a successful inside shot.
Malvin’s Close were unable to find the equaliser as Coates ran out the winners. All four teams were brought on to court to be presented with medals, Richard Coates receiving the cup.
Presentations were made by staff from the Northumbria Health Care Trust Hospital Volunteer Service.