Ipswich Basketball Club round-up: Triple header at Copleston

coach Colin Dockrell’s U14 Boys team were up first, hosting Surrey Rams. Ipswich started brightest, as they edged the first quarter 22-18, however, the guests took the lead at the half thanks to their pressure defence.

The Blues brought it back to a six-point deficit after three, and thanks to some superb team defence, and clutch plays from Tom Hindley, Seb Mobee, Harry Syrett and Joe Winder, tied the game at 79 apiece at the end of regulation, as the noise grew in support of the home team.

Syrett and Mobee dominated the extra period, en route to a 90-86 win – their second in the last three games, as Coach Dockrell’s youngsters continue to show their improvement.

Next up were coach Arron MacDonald’s U16 Boys, who hoped to build momentum from last week’s comeback that fell short at Worthing, but instead surrendered an opening 12-0 run to Newham Youngbloods, who never looked back, en route to a 55-80 decision in the guest’s favour.

The play of Tom Payne, Rhakeem Edwards-Channer and Matt Spurling were amongst the few positives for the hosts, although a number of highlight-reel defensive plays down the stretch showed that there’s still some fight in the Blues, and the potential for the team to bounce back. Lewis Tebbit led Ipswich with 20 points.

Coach Adam Robinson was able to call upon a number of younger players in the U18 Women’s fixture against Haringey Angels, although the play of Frances Musson and Ashleigh Pink was key as the Suffolk side won every quarter en-route to a 65-48 win.

With the Senior Men returning home next week to face Tees Valley, coach Hayley Rigby’s U14 Girls also return to action, tipping at 3pm on Saturday, preceding the men’s game.

On Sunday, coach Dave Girling’s U18 Men travel to Brentwood Fire in a top of the table clash, coach Syd Payne’s U14 Boys II travel to high-flying Luton, and coach Arron MacDonald’s side are seeking revenge at London Greenhouse Pioneers.