Marshland High School second at Junior NBA Eastern Region Finals at University of Essex finals

Marshland High School were represented by two year groups at Junior NBA Eastern Region Finals held at the University of Essex.

Playing on a purpose-built basketball centre with three full-size courts, the school’s Year 7 team came second overall while the Year 8 side were fourth.

Just making it into the finals was an amazing achievement, with the competition initially starting out with 30 schools in each competition and Marshland were the only school who had a team qualify for both finals.

Coach Dom Stannard said: “It was an amazing day to round off an outstanding season for Marshland High School and I am so proud of all the players.

“This was a special opportunity for our students to play at a fantastic venue again such strong opposition, they will have learnt so much. To finish second and fourth in the whole of the East is an incredible achievement.

“Thanks to year 10 and 11 students, Marcus Holt, Ant Siguardson, Alfie Kirk, Tyler Holt and Aidan Cook for their help with running the younger teams.

“Additionally, thanks to Mitch Embling, from Lynn Basketball Club for his support, hopefully lots of our players will go onto represent his club.”

The JNR NBA is funded by the NBA and each school are drafted a NBA franchise to represent.

Marshland Year 7s represented the Chicago Bulls and the Year 8s the Detroit Pistons. In the Eastern final, Marshland’s Year 7s took on Copleston, from Ipswich, who are renowned for producing excellent basketball teams.

Marshland trailed early on, but by half-time were six points up and it stayed that way until two minutes to go when they scored two quick baskets to make the game 25-23 – a lead they held onto until the buzzer.

In the Conference final, Marshland came up against a team from Luton who were much stronger, taller and quicker.

Although they lost 61-12, with a Luton forward dominating the rebounds, the team never gave up.

Marshland’s Year 8s lost 48-15 to Westley Middle School in their Eastern final, but this was no disgrace against a team containing an England school boy and a number of highly talented girls who play for regional squads.

In the third/fourth play-off, the Year 8s lost 41-11 to Braintree-based Notley High School.

During the lunch break there was a shooting completion which Marshland’s Grantas Domkus won the Year 7s and Arnas Urbans came second in the Year 8 event.

Year 7 squad: McKenzie Burton, Grantas Donekus, Matas Kairiukstis, Adamas Lukosevicius, James Moore, Denas Siurys, Thomas Snape, Swaley Stokes, Wesley Stokes, Joe Tolliday.

Players-of-the-tournament went to James Moore, Adam Lukosevicius and Thomas Snape.

Year 8 squad: Jacob Summers, Joe Harris, Alfie Cobb, Arnas Urbanas, Aringas Svenious, Riley Ardner, Harvey Theobald, Carter Terry, Alfie Goodale, Deanna Boon, Mackenzie Plitsch.

Players-of-the-tournament went to Alfie Cobb, Joe Harris and Deanna Boon.