BASKETBALL: Play-offs are calling for Titans

This weekend sees the final games of the season for the U16 North Premier Boys, U16 Purple and a double-header for the Women’s team in Division Two before at least three of the club’s teams head into the play-offs in their respective sections.

In the latest action, Titans rounded off their regular season with an emphatic 92-52 win at Coventry Tornadoes to ensure they finished with a perfect 18-0 record in the U14 Boys Midlands West Conference.

Isaac Round led the way with 33 points in what was arguably the team’s best performance of the season with Ben Hooper adding 23.

Titans held a 42-26 half-time lead and there was no let up in the second half as they went on to win all four quarters with Sean Rawlins (16) and Harry Mitchell (10) being the other two to reach double figures.

Titans will now prepare for the first round of the play-offs at the beginning of April when they play Midlands East league champions Mansfield Giants at home.

Titans Purple had everything to prove as they took on U16 Boys Midlands West Conference leaders West Bromwich Albion after suffering a 100-point defeat in their last meeting with them.

The inexperienced county team got off to a strong start and stayed with the visitors but West Brom did pull away in the second to extend their lead to 15 points.

That advantage grew to 40 points in the second half but Titans showed character as they pulled together to get back to the form they had in the first quarter.

Overall Titans scored significantly more in this match compared to their last meeting showing a level of improvement.

The standout performances came from the youngest players Ben Hooper (31) and Isaac Round (23) and Purple complete their season at Shropshire this weekend.

Titans showed why they are U16 Girls North Conference champions as they kept Leicester Warriors to limited opportunities before securing a 90-31 victory.

The third and fourth quarters belonged to Titans and, by the end of the game, all 12 players had made the scoresheet.

Titans’ numbers have hugely increased across all age groups and the club are now looking for volunteer coaches to join them.

Anyone interested should visit www.nebctitans.co.uk or email to [email protected]

Kettering Phoenix have received funding to try to develop a new walking basketball team.

The new sport is suitable for all, irrespective of gender, age, size, ability or impairment.

The sessions begin on Sunday, April 8 between 6pm and 7.30pm at the Southfield School sports centre in Kettering.

The first four sessions are free and for more information email to [email protected]

On the court, Phoenix’s men’s team had mixed results in their most recent matches as they followed up a 66-58 defeat to Swadlincote A in Division One of the Leicestershire & Rutland League, in which Bojan Backo (12) and Miguel Espada (11) top scored, with a 63-55 succes at Rawlins A.

Espada (19) led the way in the victory with support from Eduards Helisek (10).

The second team - the Suns - enjoyed two victories as they won 63-37 at Daventry Vikings in Northants Division Two with Joe Gale (21) and Ash Handyside (16) doing the damage.

And that was followed by a 50-44 success at Oadby Royales in Division Three of the Leicestershire & Rutland League as Michael Wright (17) and John Clarke (12) scored well.