An Amazing Season for Paignton Community and Sports College Basketball Stars!

Three years after introducing basketball into the curriculum the boy's Year 10 team have won the South West Devon League undefeated and reached the National finals, losing the National Title on a 3 way tie breaker.

In September, Mr Rodgers joined the school as Head of Business Studies but also with a track record of coaching and playing basketball at a high level for the best part of 2 decades.  The talent that had already been nurtured at the school caught Mr Rodgers eye and he embarked on a 2 year plan to help the school win some silverware.

The first inter school matches were short scrimmages in the local Central Venue competition.  Although they lost their first game to St Cuthbert Mayne, Mr Carpenter and the boys were happy as it was the best the team had played until then.  Later that evening Tower House and Churston were beaten.

Soon the boys had to face the reigning South West Devon Champions away in Kingsbridge.  The boys made light work of Kingsbridge, having the game won by half time and cruising to a victory that would  put them on course for the South West Devon title.

A series of comfortable wins followed to set up a penultimate home match against Churston in a winner take all decider.  Luke Irons playing his game of the season the day after a grandparent had died was outstanding. Cheered on by a lively crowd in excess of 50 fans the boys showed their mettle and character to grind out a win.  With the title won the boys moved on to Kevics were after a slow start they recorded their top score to date to finish undefeated champions of the South West Devon League.

The school also made its first foray into the National Competitions this year and were crowned South West champions.  They then entertained Henry Box, the South Champions from Oxford, and won a nailbiter, withstanding a late comeback to win 76v75 as Craig Whicker scored a last minute free throw to break the tie.  That win placed the school in the National Finals, a 5 team tournament in Nottingham in May.  The team warmed up for the finals with two local freindlies, beating St Cuthbert Mayne by over 20 and winning an overtime game with Churston.  At the finals the team trounced West Hill, North East champions, more than doubling their score and characterised by Mike Chapman’s cheeky 3 pointer (his third of the game) where he has dribbled back so he was in 3 point range before shooting.  Unfortunately the team weakest and unluckiest game came against top seed and East Champions, Appleton, and despite an outstanding effort they fell just short.  Having to play immediately after such a heartbreaking loss was very demanding and the team looked drained as they trailed at half time against Bishop Stafford but they regained their composure, dug deep and pulled out an inspiring win.  Bishop Stafford then went on to beat Appleton so the top 3 teams all lost one game. 

Despite being top scorers and having the best points differential for the day Paignton lost the points differential in head to head games and so came 3rd.   A number of coaches, officials and opposition supporters commented on what a good team Paignton had and what a credit they were in the way they conducted themselves.
 
Jordan Grindrod was MVP for the Finals tournament, as he was for the South West Devon League and Liam Somers rounded of the starting 5 as being the most improved player throughout the year.

At the national finals Dan Hubble, Liam Ottoway, Ilan Strul and an injured Dan Murray all assisted the starting 5, and a total of 18 boys contributed to the success of the team throughout the season.  The teams success has seen the Torbay Tigers look to recruit a number of the schools players to join their team, whilst Mr Rodgers would be happy to see many join him at the Plymouth Raiders next year when he coaches the Raiders U16 team.

The boys would like to give a lot of thanks to the governors, staff and pupils who have turned out in such big numbers to support the team through this exciting season.  Already ahead in the 2 year plan the National Title will have to wait until next year.