GB

Three teams win on the road for GB athletes in Spain, and players make strong impressions in their first appearances for their new teams.  

In Spain, the BSR got underway with a score of GB athletes leading their respective teams to victory in the first fixtures of the season.

Amivel Reyes Gutierrez (Abdi Jama, Kyle March, Lewis Edwards, Peter Cusack) won 70:58 against visitors Abeconsa Basketmi Ferrol. Kyle Marsh was game leader with 10 assists, had 5 rebounds and was joint team leader on points with 22 points. Abdi Jama had 8 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds. Lewis Edwards had 2 rebounds. Peter Cusack had 6 points, 2 assists and 4 rebounds

CD Ilunion (Gregg Warburton, Terry Bywater) had a victory on the road against Joventut BCR, winning 22:74. Gregg Warburton had 2 points and 1 assist.

Elsewhere, UCAM Murcia (Lee Fryer) suffered a defeat by Bidaideak Bilbao (James MacSorley), who took the win 52:78 for their first victory of the season. MacSorley (Bidaideak Bilbao) had 4 points and 1 rebound. Fryer (UCAM Murcia) had 4 points and 3 rebounds.

Amiab Albacete (Harry Brown, Phil Pratt, Ben Fox, Lee Manning, Charlotte Moore) also had a win on the road for their first game of the season, beating Iberconsa Amfiv 52:68. Phil Pratt made a strong impression on his first game for Albacete as game leader on points with 19 points and team leader on assists with 8 assists, and had 6 rebounds. Harry Brown had 8 points, 3 assists and 6 rebounds. Lee Manning was game leader on rebounds with 11 rebounds, and had 17 points and 5 assists. Charlotte Moore had 1 rebound.

In Germany, RSV Lahn-Dill (Gaz Choudhry, Simon Brown) had their second victory of the season with a home game win 84:57 against Doneck Dolphins Trier. Gaz Choudhry had 21 points and GB teammate Simon Brown had 4 points. Elsewhere, Rhine River Rhinos (Jim Palmer) had their first win of the season against BBC Münsterland 69:64.

At home in the BWB National League, Sheffield Steelers (Tyler Baines, Maddie Thompson) won 79:58 against visitors Mohawks. Tyler Baines had 13 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists.

Spanish League: http://bsr.feddf.es/  

German League: https://www.basketball-bund.net/index.jsp?Action=100&Verband=40 

BWB National League: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/national-league/

The 2022-23 season has begun for the Spanish and German leagues, where several GB athletes are looking to continue their successes abroad. There have been a number of transfers as we’re set for another exciting season of world-class wheelchair basketball. At home, the BWB National League season is underway with several GB athletes on court across the country this season.

In Spain, Phil Pratt and Charlotte Moore join GB teammates Harry Brown, Ben Fox and Lee Manning playing for the Spanish league champions and EuroCup winners BSR Amiab Albacete, with Pratt and Moore having departed from Mideba Extremadura. Amiab Albacete ended the 21/22 season top of the Spanish league and as European Champions Cup 2022 champions.

GB duo Gregg Warburton and Terry Bywater stay with CD Ilunion, continuing to build on their successful partnership on court for the club. Lee Fryer departs Servigest Burgos and joins UCAM Murcia BSR.

James MacSorley sticks with Bidaideak Bilbao BSR for another season, with the team having won their first ever Copa del Rey BSR title last season.

Kyle March leaves Amiab Albacete and Lewis Edwards leaves Mideba Extremadura to join GB teammates Abdi Jama and Peter Cusack at Amivel Reyes Gutierrez.

In Germany, RBBL 2021/22 champions RSV Lahn-Dill welcome GB’s Gaz Choudhry to the team from Spanish side Amiab Albacete, joining Simon Brown as the pair look to retain the championship title for another season. Elsewhere in Germany, Jim Palmer stays with Rhine River Rhinos.

At home in the BWB National League, Martin Edwards heads to Premier Division side Manchester Revolution from Italian side SBS Bergamo.

Jack Perry stays with London Titans, following a successful 21/22 season for the side as National Championship Finals winners. Tyler Baines heads to Sheffield Steelers from Spanish team Amivel.

Across the Atlantic, Joy Haizelden continues with University of Alabama following their achievements in the 2021/22 season.

The Women’s Premier League returns in January 2023 for its second ever season, with teams expected to reveal player announcements over the coming weeks.

You can follow the Spanish league here: https://bsr.feddf.es/

You can follow the German league here: https://www.basketball-bund.net/

After a hard-fought regular season in the Spanish league and an exciting return to the European Cup earlier this month, the Spanish teams congregated in Malaga for the 44^th edition of the Copa del Rey BSR.

A score of GB talent on the court as Amivel Reyes Gutierrez (Abdi Jama, Tyler Baines, Peter Cusack) were narrowly defeated 74:71 in the quarterfinals by Amiab Albacete (Kyle Marsh, Harry Brown, Ben Fox, Gaz Choudhry, Lee Manning). For Amivel, Abdi Jama had 16 points, 1 assist and 4 rebounds. Peter Cusack had 9 points, 4 assists and 8 rebounds.

CD Ilunion (Greg Warburton, Terry Bywater) were defeated in the quarterfinals by Bidaideak Bilbao (James MacSorley) side 69:63. Greg Warburton had 10 points, 4 assists and 1 rebound. Terry Bywater was game leader on points and assists with 30 points and 10 assists, and had 10 rebounds.

Progressing into the semi-finals, recent league winners and Eurocup champions Amiab Albacete (Kyle Marsh, Harry Brown, Ben Fox, Gaz Choudhry, Lee Manning) and league rivals Mideba Extremadura (Charlotte Moore, Phil Pratt, Lewis Edwards) were both defeated in the semi-finals and met on court in the 3^rd/4^th place playoff.

Albacete took the victory 68:78, placing 3^rd overall in the Copa del Rey. For Albacete, Kyle Marsh had 5 points, 1 assist and 1 rebound. Harry Brown had 8 points, 1 assist and 5 rebounds. Ben Fox had 8 points and 3 rebounds. Gaz Choudhry was game leader on points, assists and rebounds with 27 points, 14 assists and 8 rebounds. Lee Manning had 10 points, 2 assists and 7 rebounds. For Mideba Extremadura, Charlotte Moore had 8 points. Lewis Edwards had 15 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds. Phil Pratt had 19 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds.

In the final, Bidaideak Bilbao (James MacSorley) took the win 72:67 against ACE Gran Canaria, earning their first ever Copa del Rey victory. In the final, James MacSorley had 4 points and 4 rebounds.

In France, CS Meaux (Helen Freeman) won 81:48 against Lille.

GB athletes make history at the National Championship Finals, and the Spanish league title is claimed.

Jack Perry achieved a triple double for London Titans 1 in the Premier Division final as they won 77:62 against CWBA 1. Perry had 30 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists. For CWBA, Tom Smith had 20 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. In the Premier League 3^rd/4^th place playoff, Sheffield Steelers won 54:81 against Mohawks, and Maddie Thompson (Steelers) had 22 points, 1 rebound and 4 assists.

In the historic Women’s Premier League final, Loughborough Lightning took the inaugural title with a 64:73 victory over East London Phoenix. Robyn Love (Lightning) achieved a triple double with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 17 assists. Lucy Robinson (Lightning) had 20 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist. Jude Hamer (Lightning) had 26 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Siobhan Fitzpatrick (Lightning) had 5 points. For East London Phoenix, Amy Conroy had 23 points, 15 rebounds and 9 assists.

In the WPL 3^rd/4^th place playoff, Worcester Wolves claimed third place with a 32:44 victory over Cardiff Met Archers. For Wolves, Sarah Hope had 12 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists. For Archers, Jade Atkin had 13 points, 13 rebounds and 1 assist.

In the dramatic final stage of the Spanish league, Amiab Albacete (Kyle Marsh, Harry Brown, Ben Fox, Gaz Choudhry, Lee Manning) were named champions of the league after winning 53:68 against Amivel Reyes Gutierrez (Abdi Jama, Tyler Baines, Peter Cusack). Amivel take 6^th place following their defeat.

For Albacete, Kyle Marsh had 21 points, 5 rebounds and 12 assists. Harry Brown had 2 rebounds and 1 assist. Ben Fox had 4 points. Gaz Choudhry had 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Lee Manning 8 points, 13 rebounds and 1 assist. For Amivel Reyes Gutierrez in the final, Abdi Jama had 3 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Peter Cusack had 7 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Amiab Albacete are on tremendous form, having last week won the European Champions Cup 2022.

Mideba Extremadura (Charlotte Moore, Phil Pratt, Lewis Edwards) placed second overall in the Spanish league, winning their match against Iberconsa Amfiv 62:76. Phil Pratt had 13 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. Charlotte Moore had 1 rebound. Lewis Edwards had 21 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.

Bidaideak Bilbabo BSR claimed 4^th with a 43:75 victory over Fundación Vital Zuzenak. James MacSorley had 14 points, 1 rebound and 4 assists.

CD Ilunion (Gregg Warburton, Terry Bywater) placed fifth with a 47:73 win against Fundación Aliados. Gregg Warburton had 17 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists. Terry Bywater had 12 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist.

GB athletes featured in six out of eight of the teams representing at the IWBF EuroCup 2022 Champions Cup.

CS Meaux (Helen Freeman) were defeated 94:57 in the first round at Champions Cup 2022 by hosts and German league winners RSB Thuringia Bulls – Helen Freeman had 6 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists. In their placing game, CS Meaux were then defeated 86:73 by Italian league winners Briantea84 Cantù. In their final game of the tournament, CS Meaux lined up against Bibaideak Bilbao BSR and were defeated 79:63, finishing 8^th overall.

Bidaideak Bilbao BSR (James MacSorley) were defeated 86:69 in their opening game against German side RSV Lahn-Dill – James MacSorley had 1 point and 1 rebound. In their second game, Hornets Le Cannet won 96:59 against the Spanish side; MacSorley had 2 points, 1 assist and 1 rebound. In Bilbao’s victory against CS Meaux, earning them 7^th place overall, MacSorley had 6 points and 2 rebounds.

Fresh from winning the Italian league, Briantea84 Cantù (Ian Sagar, Sophie Carrigill) came up against a strong BSR Amiab Albacete side in the first round and were defeated 60:78 – Ian Sagar had 10 points, 5 rebounds. In their second round 86:73 victory against CS Meaux, Sagar had 34 points and 10 rebounds. In the 5/6^th place playoff, Hornets Le Cannet won 71:64 – Sagar had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists.

RSV Lahn-Dill (Simon Brown) got their Champions Cup 2022 campaign off to a good start with a strong performance over Bidaideak Bilbao BSR, winning 86:69 – Simon Brown had 4 rebounds and 2 assists. In the semi-finals, the German side was defeated by CD Ilunion 83:77; Brown had 2 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist. In the 3/4^th place playoff, RSV Lahn-Dill came up against their domestic league rivals RSB Thuringia Bulls and were defeated 51:75, finishing in fourth place.

BSR Amiab Albacete (Kyle Marsh, Harry Brown, Ben Fox, Gaz Choudhry, Lee Manning) had success at the Champions Cup 2022, winning every match including their tough final fixture against domestic league rivals CD Ilunion. In their opening match, Albacete won 60:78 against Italian league champions Briantea84 Cantù. Albacete narrowly won the semi-final against German league champions RSB Thuringia Bulls 70:68. In the final, Albacate had a 64:78 victory against CD Ilunion. Across the tournament, Kyle Marsh had 59 points, 9 rebounds and 26 assists. Harry Brown had 4 points. Ben Fox had 9 points, 13 rebounds and 1 assist. Gaz Choudhry had 63 points, 20 rebounds and 17 assists. Lee Manning had 38 points, 31 rebounds and 4 assists.

CD Ilunion (Gregg Warburton, Terry Bywater) won their opening match of the Champions Cup 2022 against Hornets Le Carnnet 73:57. Terry Bywater had 13 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, Gregg Warburton had 19 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists. In their semi-final victory over RSV Lahn Dill, Bywater had 15 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists, and Warburton had 6 points, 1 rebound and 11 assists. In the final, CD Ilunion were defeated 64:78 by BSR Amiab Albacete – Bywater had 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, and Warburton had 13 points, 1 rebound and 6 assists.

At home in the National League, London Titans 1 are into the Premier Division playoffs following their 57:60 victory over CWBA 1. For Titans, Jack Perry had 20 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists. For CWBA, Tom Smith had 18 points, 15 rebounds and 2 assists. Kayla Bell had 4 points.

Maddie Thompson had 21 points for Sheffield Steelers 1 in their 66:84 victory over Mohawks 1.

In the Women’s Premier League, Loughborough Lightning (Lucy Robinson, Robyn Love, Laurie Williams, Jude Hamer, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Niamh Horan) finish the regular season 9/9, having won every match they played in the inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League following their victory against visitors Worcester Wolves. For Lightning, Laurie Williams had 11 points, 3 rebounds and 8 assists. Jude Hamer had 2 points and 1 assist. Siobhan Fitzpatrick had 6 points and 2 rebounds. Lucy Robinson had 15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Robyn Love had 17 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists. Niamh Horan had 4 points and 2 rebounds. For Wolves, Sarah Hope had 10 points, 16 rebounds and 2 assists. Kayla Bell had 10 points and 1 rebound.

Victory in Italy for Briantea84 Cantú (Ian Sagar, Sophie Carrigill) as they won the Italian League! After a strong season, Briantea84 Cantú won the final 55:51 in a close match against Amicacci Giulianova, in which both Sophie Carrigill and Ian Sagar contributed to their team’s victory. Ian Sagar had 7 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

In France, CS Meaux 1 (Helen Freeman) won their first match in the Coupe de France 2022 final stages, winning the quarter-final 72:83 against Hyéres. In the semi-finals, CS Meaux 1 were defeated 71:52 by Red Dragon Metz who went on to win the competition.

In Spain, the pressure is on as the playoffs and finals are fast approaching with the conclusion of the regular season. League leaders BSR Amiab Albacete (Kyle Marsh, Harry Brown, Ben Fox, Gaz Choudhry, Lee Manning) won their home game 76:42 against visitors Servigest Burgos (Lee Fryer). Kyle Marsh was game leader on points with 32 points, and had 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Harry Brown had 3 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds. Ben Fox had 4 points, 1 assist and 3 rebound. Gaz Choudhry was top performer on assists with 9 assists, and had 8 points and 3 rebounds. Lee Manning was game leader on rebounds with 11 rebounds, and had 10 points.

CD Ilunion (Gregg Warburton, Terry Bywater) won 86:52 against visiting side UCAM Murcia BSR. Terry Bywater was game leader on points and assists, with 27points and 9 assists, and had a 3pt average of 83% (5/6) and 12 rebounds. Gregg Warburton had 15 points, 3 rebounds and 9 assists.

Bidaideak Bilbao BSR (James MacSorley) had a narrow victory against Amivel Reyes Gutierrez (Abdi Jama, Tyler Baines, Peter Cusack), winning 71:70 in the final moments of the game. James MacSorley (Bilbao) had 4 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists for his winning side. Abdi Jama (Amivel) had 11 points and 2 assists. Peter Cusack (Amivel) had 4 points and 4 rebounds.

Mideba Extremadura (Charlotte Moore, Phil Pratt, Lewis Edwards) won 64:56 against Fundación Aliados. Lewis Edwards was joint game leader on rebounds with 11 rebounds, and had 21 points and 3 assists. Phil Pratt was game leader on assists with 8 assists and had 7 rebounds.

The final will be Amiab Albacete versus Mideba Extremadura on 14^th May.

At home in the Women’s Premier League, Loughborough Lightning (Lucy Robinson, Robyn Love, Laurie Williams, Jude Hamer, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Niamh Horan) won 67:37 over Worcester Wolves (Sarah Hope, Kayla Bell). For Lightning, Robyn Love was game leader on assists with 14, and had 22 points and 11 rebounds. Laurie Williams had 4 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists. Jude Hamer had 6 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist. Siobhan Fitzpatrick had 2 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist. Lucy Robinson was game leader on points with 23 points, and had 6 rebounds and 1 assist. For Wolves, Sarah Hope was game leader on rebounds with 15 rebounds, and had 8 points and 3 assists. Kayla Bell had 2 points and 3 rebounds.

In the National League Premier Division, Jack Perry had 31 points, 14 rebounds and 4 assists in London Titans 1’s 66:84 victory over Sheffield Steelers. Maddie Thompson had 20 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists for Sheffield Steelers.

Success in the semi-final playoffs in Germany for Simon Brown’s team, and GB talent tops the stats across the Spanish league.

In Germany, RSV Lahn-Dill (Simon Brown) are heading to the final after winning both of their playoff matches against Hannover United in a best-of-three format. In the first game on the road, Lahn-Dill won 42:68 and two days later won 56:48 at home. In the first playoff match, Simon Brown scored 14 points and in the second scored 8 points.

In Spain, Amiab Albacete (Kyle Marsh, Harry Brown, Ben Fox, Gaz Choudhry, Lee Manning) won their match away against Iberconsa Amfiv 41:89 – a 48-point lead at the final buzzer. Gaz Choudhry was game leader on both points and assists, with 28 points and 11 assists, and had 8 rebounds. Kyle Marsh had 3 rebounds, 6 assists and 19 points with a 2pt average of 90% (9/10). Harry Brown had 4 rebounds and 4 points. Ben Fox had 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 14 points.

A clash of GB talent saw Mideba Extremadura (Charlotte Moore, Phil Pratt, Lewis Edwards) defeat CD Ilunion (Gregg Warburton, Terry Bywater) in a close game ending 66:75. For Ilunion, Gregg Warburton had 6 points, 2 assists and 1 rebound. Terry Bywater (Ilunion) had 12 points, 8 assists and 12 rebounds. For Mideba Extremadura, Phil Pratt was game leader on assists with 12 assists, team leader on points with 20 points, and had 6 rebounds. Lewis Edwards (Mideba Extremadura) had 19 points, 4 assists and was team top performer on rebounds with 9 rebounds.

Amivel Reyes Gutierrez (Abdi Jama, Tyler Baines, Peter Cusack) won 61:40 at home against Fundación FDI Las Rozas. Abdi Jama had 2 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists. Peter Cusack had 2 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists.

At home in the National League, Maddie Thompson (Sheffield Steelers) had 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in their Premier Division win over Exeter Otters. Jade Atkin (Exeter Otters) had 10 points, 10 rebounds and 1 assist.