National Basketball Success for Westside Rangers
Local basketball club Westside Rangers who train and play at Kensington Leisure Centre have this month become National Under 18 men’s champions, winning the title in Manchester.
Their run to the title began by winning the Junior NBL Premier Eastern Division with a 14-2 record, where they beat both London Thunder and Sussex Storm to progress to the showpiece event for junior basketball in England.
Ahead of their semi final the captain of team was predicting a competitive weekend of basketball…‘I’m really happy for the players, especially after missing out on the whole of last season due to COVID, and it’s testimony to all of the hard work, sacrifice and preparation that they have put in over the course of the season. Most importantly, the players have developed and grown and I’m impressed with their progress over their journey. I want to congratulate Solent and the other teams for qualifying for the Final Four and I expect a high level of intensity. It will come down to offensive and defensive execution’.
In the semi final Westside beat Solent, the Southern Champions.
The showpiece match, the national final was against Northern champions and hosts Manchester Magic. In a contest that was still in the balance until the final minute, London Westside Rangers edged a close game 73-66.
Both teams put on a show for a packed-out show court at Manchester's National Basketball Performance Centre, with neither team leading by more than nine points throughout the second half.
It was Westside who would eventually come out on top though, led by MVP Jermaine Wilson-Tra. The impressive guard had 24 points and eight boards, plus an assist and five steals.
As the game clock ticked below five minutes, it looked like Magic could come from behind to win as a 6-1 run brought the teams within a point of one another.
Wilson-Trae quickly helped put an end to that with a key layup with 31 seconds remaining, giving his team a three point lead before Westside iced the game from the line.
Well done from everyone at Kensington Leisure Centre!