Teams from Year 7s and 8s win district tournaments at King’s Lynn Academy
Basketball players from Marshland High School have completed an age group clean sweep for the first time ever.
Teams from Year 7s and 8s won district tournaments at King’s Lynn Academy to clinch an unprecedented success across the year groups.
So far this season, Marshland teams have played 48 games, winning 43, drawing two and losing three for an incredible record.
Coach Dom Stannard said: “What an amazing season that the school has had.
“Every student that has represented the school has performed outstandingly and we have seen an exceptional level of success.
“I am so very proud of all my players, they have worked so hard, I would also like to thank the year 11 students, Marcus Holt, Anthony Siguardson and Alfie Kirk for all their support with coaching and officiating.
“For all five teams to be crowned district champions is tremendous and then the added success of both the year 7s and 8s in the JNR NBA is awesome.
“It is going to be a fantastic day at the JNR NBA finals in May and I would love it if the Year 7s could qualify alongside our Year 8s.”
The Year 8s went unbeaten, winning five games and drawing the other.
They defeated Springwood, Litcham, KLA, Hammonds and Smithdon and drew with KES.
Player-of-the-match awards went to Jacob Summers, Joe Harris and Makenzie Plitsch, while special mention goes to Arna Urbanas, who also scored 18 points.
The following week the Year 7s made it five from five, dominating the tournament to succeed in all five of their games against Downham, KES A, KES B, Hammonds and KLA.
Player-of-the-tournament went to Thomas Snape, who was the best all-round player at the event.
The rebounding of Adam Lukosevicius was excellent and Kenzie Burton’s movement and shooting was fantastic.
Grantas Domkus top-scored with 20 points.
As well as success in the district tournaments, both teams participated in the JNR NBA – a nationwide tournament organised by England Basketball.
Schools were drafted a NBA franchise that they then represented, with the Year 7s representing the Chicago Bulls and the Year 8s the Detroit Pistons.
Both teams topped their groups, with the Year 7s winning seven of their eight games and the Year 8s winning all eight to qualify for the regional rounds as top seeds.
In the Year 7 competition, Marshland drew Benjamin Britton from Lowestoft in the quarter-finals and beat them comfortably with a 27-10 win.
Players-of-the-match went to Dennis Siurys, who scored nine points, and James Moore, who registered eight and dribbled round the opposition for fun.
Adam Lukosevicius was very good on defence and rebounded superbly.
Their semi-final is at the start of May, facing either Springwood, from King’s Lynn, or Wollaston High School from Northampton.
In the year 8 competition, Marshland’s opposition conceded in the last eight so moved into the semi-final against Copleston High School from Ipswich, who are known for being an excellent basketball school.
Marshland won an incredible game 44-39 and have qualified for the JNR NBA Eastern Region finals to be held at University of Essex, Colchester Campus, on Wednesday, May 15.
Player-of-the-match went to Arnas Urbanas, who top-scored with 26 points and used his height and power to dominate the game.
Secondly, it went to Deanna Boon, who scored six points and rebounded and defended superbly.
Joe Harris registered two three-pointers at important times and was brilliant dribbling with the ball.
Each of Marshland’s other teams have been in friendly action.
The Year 11s won a thrilling game against Litcham 39-38, where Donatas Verikas, Marcus Holt and Jaden Carter were players-of-the-match.
The Year 10s beat KES 20-15, with players-of-the-match Tyler Holt and Ben Dear and the Year 9s also beat KES 25-14, where players-of-the-match were Riley Carter and Louis Cottrill.
