News Update - 2006

Basketball - Unprecedented Success for all College Academy Teams

The Community College's Basketball Academy teams scooped a further four titles this month, defending three Cups and winning a fourth for the first time.

The run of success started on 3rd May, when the HCCA Men's B team upset the odds by beating a talented Kingston University team playing on their own home court, to lift the SESSA Cup 79/65. With the scores level going into the final quarter, The Academy surged ahead to secure a 14pt win. The win was all the better for being achieved with two key players (Adam Lovelock and Ewart Mason) unavailable due to injury.

The following Wednesday (10/5) the U19 Men travelled to Nottingham and secured the Grand Slam of all three National College titles for the second year running with an 88/75 win over Loreto College from Manchester in the Final of the English Schools National Academies Cup. Tophil Kintu starred with a match high 24pts.

Next, it was the turn of the U19 Women to take on Moulton College Academy from Northampton in the first leg of the English Schools Women's Nat. Academies Cup. Having missed out to Moulton in previous seasons, HCCA toughened up with a 68/67 win over a strong Haringay Angels U18 team who went on to win the English Basketball U18 National Title. Inspired by Rochelle Davids (23pts), The Academy overturned a 14pt first half deficit to win 53/48 and take a slender 5pt advantage into the 2nd Leg at SPACe.

The 2nd leg took place yesterday (24/5) with The Academy surging to a 55/38 win, an aggregate 22pt advantage over the two matches. Fittingly in her last match at this level for HCCA, captain Carlene Harris top scored with 16pts and lifted the trophy. Bobbi-Jay Thompson put in a fantastic defencive performance preventing Moulton from ever eating into HCCA lead. The match remained close until Lorrell Shirley inspired a 13pt rip to settle the issue.

With the Men's and Women's SESSA Premier League titles also won this month, it's now left to the Senior Men to top the season by securing the prestigious London Metropolitan League Title for the 3rd year running. The Academy play Camden Knights in a "winner takes all" League decider on 10th June.

The HCCA roll of honour for the 2005/06 season shows that the coaching team of Tony Garbelotto and Sol Ayinla have lead The U19 Academy teams to 5 out of the 6 National College titles available, with only the U19 Women tasting defeat in the Final of the BCS National Cup. Of the 100 matches played this season in all competitions, HCCA have won 95 and lost just 5. The amazing list of 10 titles won is as follows:

BCS Eastern England College Champions (U19 Men and Women)

BCS National College Champions (U19 Men and Women)

BCS National College Men's Cup Winners (U19 Men)

BCS National College Women's Cup Runners-up (U19 Women)

English Schools National Academies Cup Winners (U19 Women)

SESSA Premier League Winners (Senior Men and Women)

SESSA Cup Winners (Senior Men and Women)

In addition, Orlan Jackman and Dave Ajumobi have been regulars in the England U20 team, whilst Albert Margai and Babs Somoye are waiting for the call-up for Great Britain U20s having impressed at last weekend's trials in Sheffield.

The players and coaches of the HCCA Programme would like to dedicate all this year's amazing success to the memory of Malcolm Williams (former Head of Sport and Arts at The Community College Hackney) who sadly died last week. Malcolm continued to actively support all the HCC sports teams up until his death on 12/5/06 at the age of 67. Malcolm established the first Sports Academy (Football) back in 1995.Without the work of Malcolm, The Sports Academy Programme (Cricket and Basketball), SPACe Sports Centre and the fantastic opportunities these provide for the young people of Hackney, North and East London would not exist.

The HCCA Players 2005/06.....Orlan Jackman, Dave Ajumobi, Albert Margai, Babs Somoye, Eddie Morrison, Tophil Kintu, Shaz Hussain, Sam Iwueke, Harry Innis, Alex Baker-Mason, Samuel Toluwase, Adam Lovelock, Ewart Mason, Ashley Whilby, Jade Harris, Carlene Harris, Jo Djoboga, Rochelle Davids, Lorrell Shirley, Bobbi-Jay Thompson, Tanine Nicholas, Ndaye Manga, Storm Adams, Alisha Robinson, Charley Spencer, Olu Balogun, Alex Babb, Nabel Goitom, Leon Johnson, Hamil Muwonge, Ade Samsur, Edward Allen, Jason Achike, Lenval Greer, Tega Origan, Oliver Ladlow, Nojeem Agbossasa.

For further information, reply to Chris Morris via this e-mail address or call him on 07786-485223.

Chris Morris

Sports Academy Administrator - The Community College Hackney

25/5/06

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