Ipswich Basketball Club’s various teams are approaching their play-off campaigns – and all look set to mount serious challenges for post season glory.
This weekend, the Senior Women faced Herts Warriors without starters Ellie Shaxon and Emma Camp, while Hertfordshire had two former Ipswich Bobcats in their ranks – Fredericks and Wattley – who felt right at home as she got the scoring started.
Back-to-back baskets from Danni Cazey and Harriet Welham gave Ipswich a lead, while a late pair of threes from Sam Toole helped to establish an 18-12 lead.
The Blues pushed ahead in the second quarter thanks to eight more points from Welham. Herts slowed the pace in the second half, but Ipswich’s defence allowed them to maintain control of the game, holding the visitors to only 17 second-half points in a 56-41 win.
Welham led all scorers with 18 points, with Cazey (9), McLean (8) and Linton/Tom (7) all chipping-in for the home side, who registered their tenth win of the season – as many as they’d had in the three prior seasons combined – and have already sealed a play-off spot ahead of their return match at London Westside next week.
The U18 Men travelled to face Cambridge Cats, looking to seal second spot in the division and maintain their play-off push. A 33-point outburst from Mark James helped the Suffolk side seal a comfortable 89-74 win.
14 points from Callum McNicol and a 14 point, 13 assist double-double from Rory Winter were the other highlights in an outstanding team performance in which Ipswich hit 15 three-pointers. The U18 men will now likely face Haringey away in the play-off first round.
The U14 Girls travelled to face Brentwood Fire, in a game which started slowly, but thanks to a dynamic second-quarter showing, the Suffolk side extended their lead to 25 points.
Brentwood changed the pace of the game in the second half, but the Blues hung on for a 62-52 win to move to 14-4 and seal a third place divisional finish, ahead of a likely play-off matchup with Bucks Hornets.
Leading scorers were Georgie Musson (14), Ines Bowman-Boyles (13) and Ella Pearson (10).
The U14 Boys hosted Herts Warriors in their final game of the season. The guests led 46-33 at the half.
A strong second-half brought Ipswich back in it. However, Herts’ half-time lead proved to be insurmountable, as the hosts slipped to an 89-84 loss. Veron (27), Lewis Tebbit (18) and Ben Winter (17) were leading scorers.
The U16 Girls hosted Haringey, with both teams sitting at 14-3, each team knew they were playing for likely home-court advantage against the other in the play-offs.
Haringey built an 11-point lead due to a slow start. Ipswich showed great fight in bringing the game back, but were unable to turn the momentum into a win, as Haringey snuck out 69-62 winners.
Francis Musson & Maya Price (17) and Jazz Tebbit (14) were leading scorers for Coach James’ side.
With the U16 Boys guaranteed a play-off spot, they hosted Peckham Pride. With the score tied at 61 with under two minutes to play overtime loomed, until a steal following a made basket gave Peckham a lead.
A late three from Adam Darbous gave the hosts a chance, and when Ben Mobee tipped-in from Jonny Hall’s miss at the buzzer, it seemed the game would continue, but the referees waved it off, as Peckham escaped with a 67-65 win.
Leading scorers were Mobee (21), Caleb Fuller (15), and Hall/Blake Read (7).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here