GB

GB star Joy Haizelden was in action for Alabama Crimson Tide as they competed in the UT Arlington Tournament, and GB athletes delivered top performances in the Spanish league.

In Spain, a clash of GB talent as Amiab Albacete (Kyle Marsh, Harry Brown, Ben Fox, Gaz Choudhry, Lee Manning) took the win 71:57 over visitors Amivel Reyes Gutierrez (Abdi Jama, Tyler Baines, Peter Cusack). Amiab extended their winning streak with this victory, having won 9/9 of their matches so far this season. Gaz Choudhry had 16 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds and was top performer on points and assists. Lee Manning was top performer on rebounds with 11 rebounds. Kyle Marsh had 8 points and 4 rebounds. Harry Brown had 14 points and a 2-point average of 86% (6/7). Ben Fox had 15 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. For Amivel Reyez Gutierrez, Tyler Baines had 4 points and 2 rebounds. Peter Cusack had 4 points, 4 rebounds and 6 assists.

Bibaideak Bilbao (James Macsorley) won their home game against Fundación Vital Zuzenak 80:34, where Bilbao had a strong opening first quarter which built to an 18-point lead at half time. James Macsorley had 2 points, 1 assist and 2 rebounds. Bilbao currently sit fourth in the overall table.

CD Ilunion (Gregg Warburton, Terry Bywater) were close to a triple digit score in their 97:52 victory against Fundación Aliados. Gregg Warburton was top performer on assists with 13 assists and had 17 points. Terry Bywater (CD Ilunion) was top performer on points with 26 points and currently has the highest average of points per game in the overall competition with an average of 22.5 points. GB teammate Kyle Marsh (Amiab Albacete) is currently second on average points with 21.7. Bywater (Ilunion) also had 12 assists and 9 rebounds in the match against Fundación Aliados.

A strong team performance for Mideba Extremadura (Charlotte Moore, Phil Pratt, Lewis Edwards) as they won their match 79:44 against Iberconsa Amfiv. Mideba had 100% on free throws (6/6) and had 71% on 3-point shots (5/7). Lewis Edwards had 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Charlotte Moore had 2 points and 2 rebounds.

Servigest Burgos (Callum Doherty, Lee Fryer) suffered a defeat by the current table leaders Ace Gran Canaria 83:51 on the road. Lee Fryer had 10 points and 6 assists.

In France, CS Meaux (Helen Freeman) were defeated by Hornets Le Cannet 90:78.

Across the Atlantic, Joy Haizelden was in action for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in the UT Arlington Tournament. Against University of Illinois, Crimson Tide won 57-50 and Haizelden had 3 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal. Against hosts UT Arlington, Crimson Tide won 73-54 and Haizelden had 5 points and 3 rebounds.

In Spain, a close match up between Servigest Burgos (Lee Fryer) and BSR Amiab Albacete (Kyle Marsh, Harry Brown, Ben Fox , Gaz Choudhry, Lee Manning) saw GB talent across the court in an entertaining head-to-head. Visiting side BSR Amiab Albacete won 63:69. Lee Fryer (Servigest) was top performer on both points and assists (20 points and 7 assists) and Kyle Marsh (Amiab) had top points scorer and assists for his side with 18 points and 5 assists. Gaz Choudhry (Amiab) had 9 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists. Harry Brown (Amiab) had 4 points and 3 rebounds. Lee Manning (Amiab) had 6 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. Ben Fox (Amiab) had 14 points and 6 rebounds.

Another head-to-head took place elsewhere in Spain as Bidaideak Bilbao BSR (James Macsorley) travelled to Amivel Reyes Gutierrez (Abdi Jama, Tyler Baines, Peter Cusack), with Bilbao winning 52:65. Abdi Jama had 8 points and 5 assists. Peter Cusack had 13 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds.

CD Ilunion (Gregg Warburton, Terry Bywater) won their match against UCAM Murcia BSR 43:63, securing the victory after a strong second half from the visiting side. Terry Bywater was game leader in assists with 5 assists and had 18 points, with a 2P accuracy of 67%. Gregg Warburton had 4 rebounds and 17 points.

Mideba Extremadura (Charlotte Moore, Phil Pratt, Lewis Edwards) had a high scoring away victory against Fundación Aliados (45:92). Phil Pratts was top performer on assists (13 assists) and had 15 points and 5 rebounds. Lewis Edwards had a scoring average of 75% on field goals, 100% on free throws (3/3) and had 21 points and 6 rebounds.

In Germany, RSV Lahn-Dill (Simon Brown) keep the winning streak rolling with a victory over Hannover United (56:76) who sit third in the table. Simon Brown had 8 points. Elsewhere, Rhine River Rhinos Wiesbaden (Jim Palmer) were defeated by RSB Thuringia Bulls who currently sit second in the overall table.

In Italy, Dinamo Lab Banco Di Sardegna (Billy Bridge) were narrowly defeated in an away match against Bergmano Montello (67:66).

In France, Red Dragon Metz (Fin Tonner) won their fixture 91:47 against visitors Luc Lille Handibasket. Red Dragon Metz sit at the top of the French league. Elsewhere, CVHG Genevilliers (Tom Barnes) were defeated at home by Hyères Handi Basket (61:65). CVHG Genevilliers currently sit 10^th in the table.

At home in the National League Premier Division, Mohawks came back from a 15 point deficit to win their home game against CWBA 65:61. Kayla Bell (CWBA) had 2 points and 2 rebounds. Sam Mack (CWBA) had 1 point, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Jake Robinson (CWBA) had 9 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal. Tom Smith (CWBA) had 7 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist. Elliot Hardman (CWBA) had 12 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist.

In the Women’s Premier League, East London Phoenix won their opening match against Cardiff Met Archers 60:36 at Sportsdock. Amy Conroy (East London Phoenix) was game leader on points and assists with 26 points and 7 assists. Jade Atkin was top performer for Cardiff Met Archers on points and erbounds with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Full match report here.

Simon Brown’s RSV Lahn-Dill extend their winning streak to 10/10 in the German League, and the inaugural BWB Women’s Premier League gets underway. 

In Spain, there was a GB head-to-head as Bidaideak Bilbao BSR (James Macsorley) defeated visiting side Servigest Burgos (Callum Doherty and Lee Fryer). The home team took the win 72:49. Lee Fryer had 15 points for his team Servigest Burgos. 

Amivel Reyes Gutierrez (Abdi Jama, Tyler Baines, and Peter Cusack) won their away match against Fundación FDI Las Rozas 30:72. Peter Cusack had 12 points and 3 rebounds, Tyler Baines had 4 assists and 10 points, and Abdi Jama had 2 points and 3 assists.  

In Germany, RSV Lahn-Dill (Simon Brown) won their home game against BBC Münsterland 73:44, extending their winning form to 10/10 this season so far. Simon Brown had 12 points.  

Rhine River Rhinos (Jim Palmer) suffered a defeat at home against BG Baskets Hamburg 56:73. Jim Palmer had 2 points. Rhine River Rhinos currently sit fourth in the table overall.  

In France, Helen Freeman’s side CS Meaux won their fixture at home against Toulouse T.I.C comfortably (96:27). 

Several GB athletes featured in the first ever BWB Women’s Premier League fixture on Saturday, with Loughborough Lightning defeating Worcester Wolves 41-58 – full match report available here.  

Laurie Williams, Robyn Love, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Lucy Robinson, Niamh Horan lined up for Loughborough Lightning. Robinson was a game leader as top points scorer with 19 points. Love got top performer on rebounds with 14, and Williams had 10 assists. Fitzpatrick had 14 points. Notably, it was Niamh Horan who claimed the first ever points in the BWB Women’s Premier League.  

Sarah Hope captained the Worcester Wolves side and had 14 points, 2 steals and 8 rebounds during the game. Kayla Bell had 3 rebounds and 2 points. 

GB athletes proved instrumental for their teams across Europe this weekend. RSV Lahn-Dill (Simon Brown) retained top position in the German league, going 9/9 in the season so far. Elsewhere, several GB athletes contributed to high scoring victories in the Italian league as the rivalry between Briantea84 Cantù and Avis S. Stefano burns bright. 

In Spain, Servigest Burgos hosted Fundación Fdi Las Rozas, with the visiting team taking the win 44:55. Lee Fryer (Servigest Burgos) had 10 points and top performance in assists for his team (7 assists). 

In Germany, league leaders RSV Lahn-Dill opened their 2022 with a win over RBC Koln 99ers, dominating the home team 45:85 with Simon Brown (Lahn-Dill) taking 5 points. Lahn-Dill start the year with a continuation of strong form, having won all their fixtures so far. 

Rhine River Rhinos (Jim Palmer) travelled to Hannover United where the two teams clashed for top three placing in the league. Hannover United took the win 64:45, meaning Rhine River Rhinos currently sit fourth overall with a game in hand. 

In Italy, the rivalry between group leaders Briantea84 Cantù and Avis S. Stefano builds as both teams chalked up wins on Saturday. Briantea84 Cantù defeated Millenium Basket 71:47, with Ian Sagar and Sophie Carrigill both featuring for the winning side. Sagar had 11 points. 

In France, Red Dragon’s Metz (Fin Tonner) claimed the top spot on the table this week with their 61-58 win over Les Aigles Du Velay. Elsewhere, CVHG Gennevilliers (Tom Barnes) travelled to Club Tregorrois Handisport De Lannion where the home team took a 70:58 win. 

Helen Freeman has joined CS Meaux and we will update on their results and stats as soon as they become available. 

Heading into the Christmas break the league tables across the National Leagues are beginning to take shape, and an enthralling round of fixtures to finish the year saw some high scores, some narrow wins and from one side in particular, an outstanding individual performance with 3-pointers aplenty.

Premier Division 

An outstanding away performance from CWBA to sign off for 2021 saw them beat Thames Valley Kings 42-74.

CWBA took no time to assert themselves, winning the tip off and scoring almost immediately. Reece Barker replied for the hosts with a nice 2-pointer, but Jake Robinson responded in style with a 3-pointer, his first of two in the first quarter.

CWBA’s incredible accuracy from distance proved a thorn in the side of Thames Valley Kings all game, unable to give their opponents any kind of space without being swiftly punished. The score at halftime was 21 – 41, thanks to a brilliant all-around performance from 1.5 player Robinson. Deadly from any distance, scoring 18 points in total, but also demonstrating brilliance in the creative department with 6 assists, more than any other player on the court.

A deserved away win for CWBA takes them to second in the table, with two games in hand over leaders The Owls.

The Owls were also victorious this weekend, beating Glasgow Rollin’ Rocks 64 – 46 to continue in a rich vein of form that sees them top the tree going into Christmas.

Division 1 

A ‘Super Sunday’ in Division 1 North saw two high scoring games. Wakefield Whirlwinds narrowly beat Lancaster Bulldogs 59 – 44, and Mohawks 2 were ruthless in a 25 – 85 win over Manchester Giants Mavericks, taking their points total for the season to 13.

Bulldogs will have a chance to bounce back from a close defeat in the new year as they travel away to North Wales Knights.

Division 2 

In Division 2 South, there was a top of the table clash as Sussex Bears overcame a stern test with a 47 – 34 win over Plymouth Fusion. The Bears now sit 2 points clear of Plymouth, winning 5 out of 5 and looking well placed to finish top of the league if they continue their faultless form into the new year.

Division 3 

A further 2 games in Division 3 South, as Thames Valley Kings 3 emerged victorious in a close encounter with Brixton Ballers. 37-30 the final score, a couple of slick baskets the difference between the two teams.

Elsewhere, Sussex Bears 2 were unable to come away with the points as they were defeated Aces WBC 18 -30.

A full list of results and league tables are available here: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/national-league/

Eleven games across the National League this weekend, with a whole host of upsets and close games as we approach the Christmas break. We saw action in all four divisions, with the usual array of marvellous baskets and competitive contests up and down the country.

Premier Division 

We were treated to six teams in action in the Premier Division over this weekend, the Mohawks strengthening their position at the top of the table with a win over bottom placed Glasgow Rolling Rocks. Liam Fawcett starred offensively, netting 34 points – such was his importance to the team given his shooting form he played the full duration of the game.

Glasgow Rocks rallied in the final 10 minutes and came out on top in the last quarter, Austin McKenzie and Jamie Beattie combining well to finish the game strongly.

Elsewhere in Sheffield, the Steelers narrowly edged out Thames Valley Kings with a final score of 60 -53. It was an outstanding third quarter that ultimately decided the contest, with the contest tied at halftime the likes of Will Bonner and Conn Nagle turned on the style to establish a lead to hold onto going into the final stages. Thames Valley player PJ O’donovan was influential throughout the contest, his creative capabilities on full display as he provided four assists for his teammates.

The Owls were the only team away to win this weekend, getting the better of Exeter Otters with a huge final quarter. The game was finely poised with 10 minutes to go, but The Owls added 18 points in that final quarter to ensure they would finish a hard-fought contest on top.

Division 1 

Sheffield Steelers 2 were also victorious in Division 1 North, another tight encounter against North Wales Knights that ended 42-48 in favour of the Yorkshire side. The win lifts them ahead of their opponents in the league table, up into second behind Mohawks 2.

Despite sitting on top of the tree as we approach the Christmas period, Mohawks 2 lost out against Wakefield Whirlwinds, who picked up their first win of the season at the fourth attempt – and will be looking to progress after a morale-boosting win against high quality and high-flying opponents.

To complete the Sunday fixtures in the north, Lancaster Bulldogs negotiated a tricky test against Manchester Giants Mavericks – putting in an impressive defensive performance to restrict the Manchester side to 26 points, scoring 53 themselves.

Down South, just the one fixture in Division 1 but plenty of points as both teams brought their A-game offensively – The Bears beating the Jaguars 75-60.

Division 2 

Close games continued to be the theme of the weekend in In Division 2, as Glasgow Rollin’ Rocks 2 just edged out Wakefield Whirlwinds 43-47, taking a precious win against the league leaders back to Scotland.  

In the Southern division, Cardiif Met won their first game of the season with yet another tight encounter, beating second place Plymouth Fusion by just 6 points, a final score of 58-52.

Division 3 

In Division 3 North, Mohawks 3 put in an outstanding attacking performance at home to rack up 74 points against Calderdale WBC, and remained resilient enough to restrict their adversaries to just 23 points over four quarters.

Leicester Cobras took the win in their second game of the season, beating top of the table CWBA 45 -35 to bounce back from a narrow loss to Sheffield Steelers 3 back in October. 

A full list of results and league tables are available here: https://britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk/competition/national-league/

This morning, the GB Men’s Team have made the difficult decision to forfeit their 2021 European Championship Gold medal game due to be played later today.

As defending Champions this has been a tremendously hard decision that the team has collectively reached. The Team’s priority remains to safeguard the health and wellbeing of not only the GB athletes and staff members, but also of the wider competition community at the 2021 European Championships in Madrid.

Following a confirmed COVID-19 case within the squad this morning, the team member will now undergo 10 days of isolation in Spain.

Throughout the tournament, British Wheelchair Basketball has given all players and staff members the opportunity to return home, should they have any concerns about Covid-19.

British Wheelchair Basketball has consistently prioritised the health and wellbeing of its players and they return home with the full support of the organisation

Following their semi-final match today at the European Championships in Madrid, the Great Britain Women’s squad have taken the decision to return home and will take no further part in the tournament.

Concerns remains about the situation regarding Covid 19 in Madrid following a second positive test in the GB Women’s team earlier this week.

Throughout the tournament, British Wheelchair Basketball has given all players and staff members the opportunity to return home, should they have any concerns about Covid-19. Following their semi-final match, the squad have now decided to return home.

British Wheelchair Basketball has consistently prioritised the health and wellbeing of its players and they return home with the full support of the organisation.