Stroud agony as Ribston win crown again

PATE's played Stroud High School in the first semi-final at Stroud High.

The first quarter was a close affair, and although Stroud High clearly had more experienced basketball players in their team, Pate's used their athleticism to good effect.

try to stop me: Giovanna Green, left, from Pate's and Tara Phillips from Stroud High school
winners: Ribston High School, back row from left: Elizabeth Fafiolu, L. J. Weaver, Jessica Lane, and Martha Gaffney. Front, Kyri Babbage, Megan Bosley, Hannah Fletcher and Amy Rodway
worthy finalists: Stroud High School, back row from left: Zoe McConkey, Sophia Moore, Natalie Jones, Tara Phillips and Zoe Phillips. Front: Niccy Foster, Safia Sangster, Lucy Goudswaard, and Izzy Utting

They covered the court effectively and made it difficult for Stroud High to play with any consistency.

In the second quarter, Tara Phillips and Sophia Moore, both South West players, began to combine well and by half-time Stroud had built a decent lead.

The second half was much the same but Pate's never gave up and their court coverage was impressive.

Result: Stroud High School 24 Pates 10

Scorers, Stroud High School: Phillips 10, McConkey 6, Moore 6, Sangster 2,

Scorers, Pate's: Wilson 4, Green 4, Stone 2

RIBSTON played Whitecross in the second semi-final in what was a fairly one-sided game.

Ribston had the impressive LJ Weaver, another South West player, in fine form and Whitecross struggled to stop her driving to the basket.

In the second half as Weaver was rested Whitecross showed what they were capable of and went on a 6-0 spree to bring some respectability to the final score.

Result: Ribston 25 Whitecross 6

Scorers, Ribston: Weaver 19, Fletcher 2, Babbage 2, Rodway 2

Scorers, Whitecross: Brown 4, Bonsor 2

IN THE final it quickly became apparent that this would be a close game.

Ribston were quick in transition, breaking quickly and falling back into a zone defence equally quickly.

The zone frustrated Stroud and they found it difficult to move the ball, with defenders quick enough to create openings.

Going into the final quarter Ribston were six up and both teams found it difficult to score against some intense and committed defensive play.

Stroud clawed back to two points down but agonisingly for them they could not make the final score to take the game into overtime and Ribston won the Under-16 title for the second year running.

Result: Ribston 12 Stroud High School 10

Scorers, Ribston: Weaver 10, Gaffney 2

Scorers, Stroud High School: McConkey 4, Moore 2, Jones 2, Phillips 2