Ipswich Basketball Club hosted its annual end of season dinner and awards night at the Ipswich Hotel, Copdock, writes William Russell.

East Anglian Daily Times: Harriet Welham who was awarded the Kathryn James award and the Womens team Most Valuable player award Photo: PAVEL KRICKAHarriet Welham who was awarded the Kathryn James award and the Womens team Most Valuable player award Photo: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

Ipswich Basketball Club hosted its annual end of season dinner and awards night at the Ipswich Hotel, Copdock.

Around 300 guests were in attendance to see junior and senior players awarded trophies for Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player and Coaches’ Player of the Year for their respective teams.

The headline players’ awards went to Colin Dockrell, Men’s MVP in his sixth season with the club, and Harriet Welham, who added Women’s MVP to her Division II and National Cup Final awards.

Welham also won the Kathryn James Award for female club member of the year, and was praised by club head coach Nick Drane for demonstrating leadership among the club’s younger members.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ethan Price recieves his Most Valuable Player award for the U16 Boys team Photo: PAVEL KRICKAEthan Price recieves his Most Valuable Player award for the U16 Boys team Photo: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

The male equivalent award, the Tomcat of the Year, went to Lewis Barker, who combined his playing duties for the Academy with stepping up as Assistant Coach for the Under-18s, including taking the reins for several games.

Academy graduates Jonny Hall, Ashleigh Pink and Maya Price also scooped awards. Hall and Pink are now headed for university scholarships in Colorado and Florida respectively.

There were also awards for junior internationals Esther Little, Ella Pearson, Cameron Taylor-Willis and Ben Winter.

Senior Men’s Assistant Coach Rob Schatten was awarded the Bernard Ball Club Person of the Year award, recognised for his work with the club’s online presence and in fundraising as well as on-court work.

East Anglian Daily Times: Esther Little winner of the senior womens Most Improved Player award and the U16 Girls Most Valuable player award Photo: PAVEL KRICKAEsther Little winner of the senior womens Most Improved Player award and the U16 Girls Most Valuable player award Photo: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

“As a club, we are extremely proud of how we run this event,” said club chairman, Simon Drane.

“All members of the club are involved, not to mention coaches, volunteers, former players, supporters and parents.

“It was a brilliant atmosphere and the highlight of the club’s social calendar.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Kathryn James was presented with a Life Vice presidents award and the Bobcat of the year award was renamed in her honour as the Kathryn James award Photo: PAVEL KRICKAKathryn James was presented with a Life Vice presidents award and the Bobcat of the year award was renamed in her honour as the Kathryn James award Photo: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

The winners

Under-12 Boys: Most Valuable Player: Charlie Drane; Most Improved Player: Matthew Liddamore; Coaches’ Player of the Year: Harry Laws

Under-12 Girls: MVP: Hannah Gray; MIP: Kellsie Thornton; CPY: Lauren Liddamore.

Under-14 Boys: MVP: Idriss Lebbie; MIP: Isaac Holland; CPY: Riley Clarkson.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ben Winter being presented with the Most Improved player award for the senior men Photo: PAVEL KRICKABen Winter being presented with the Most Improved player award for the senior men Photo: PAVEL KRICKA (Image: Pavel.Kricka@btinternet.com)

Under-14 Girls: MVP: Alicia Boddy; MIP: Dallya Calver; CPY: Millie Pearson.

Under-16 Boys: MVP: Ethan Price; MIP: Danny Manning; CPY: Jacob Morgan.

Under-16 Girls: MVP: Esther Little; MIP: Abbie Yorke; CPY: Ella Pearson.

Under-18 Men: MVP: Ben Winter; MIP: Louis Gibson; CPY: Blake Read.

Ipswich Basketball Academy Women: MVP: Ashleigh Pink; MIP: Cameron Taylor-Willis; CPY: Maya Price.

IBA Men: MVP: Jonny Hall; MIP: Thomas Payne; CPY: Ben Winter.

Senior Women: MVP: Harriet Welham; MIP: Esther Little; CPY: Ashleigh Pink.

Senior Men: MVP: Colin Dockrell; MIP: Ben Winter; CPY: Cameron Hawes

Tomcat of the Year: Lewis Barker.

Kathryn James Award: Harriet Welham.

Bernard Ball Award: Rob Schatten.