Basketball
Information
Over the years, basketball here at Stringer has grown from strength to strength, with teams in all five year groups for the boys and in Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 for the girls. The Year 9, 10 and 11 teams for the boys and the Year 9 team for the girls compete in the English Schools Basketball Competition and have had great success in the past. The boys teams have regularly reached the last 16 in the country.
Both the boys and girls teams are a dominant force, regularly winning the Brighton Schools Basketball League. This year it is the turn of the girls basketball teams to have the success with them heading their division in the Nationals and favorites to win the Brighton League.
In the past there have been over 20 pupils who have represented the County and Region, with one pupil - Tom Ward, playing for England and now playing in America on a scholarship! The current crop of talent consists of Amber Tanc, Florence Waller-Carr and Charlotte Kirland (County, South East and South of England), Tom Jenion (County and South East England) Joel Petrasino (County), Rufus Cull, Matt Else and Sam Twine (County).
Match Reports
Year 8 Basketball Tournament
On 4th February the Year 8 basketball team played a number of schools in a tournament. There were two pools of 4, and the winner of each went in to the final to see who would win overall. In each pool there were some Year 8 teams, some Year 9 teams and some were a mix of both. The teams that participated were Hove Park A, B, C and D, Varndean and P.C.C. Playing for Stringer in Year 8 were Chania, Elsa, Ellis, Bethany-Jane, Celeste, Ciara, Eilean, Izzy, India, Ales, Nathalie and Izzy. Before our first game, the other teams played a couple of matches but the time we spent on the side lines didn't go to waste as we were watching the other teams intensely to try and figure out there method.
A little birdie told us one teams tactics. In our first match, we played Hove Park D and we won by quite a lot. This was a good match because we all had a lot of energy and competitive spirit. Next, we played Hove Park A, unfortunately we lost this one but it was very close. Then we had a well earned rest which we all appreciated. Next, we played our rivals Varndean. We were all very tired but played well enough to draw. We came 2nd in our pool after a team of Year 9s, and faced another match with a group of Year 9s to fight for 3rd and 4th. While we came 4th (first in Year 8) and our Year 9 team faced a match for first with double extra time. Overall, our team played some great games and we thank Mr Kelly for being a great coach.
Written by Chania Livesey-Clare 8YNG and Elsa Clinton 8YNG
Year 7 Basketball Tournament
On Wednesday the 20th January the year 7 girls basketball team, played a tournament against many other Brighton schools.
We were split into two 5 a side teams, A and B. Both teams played really well, and our team work clearly stood out. With it being our first match as a team we were feeling nervous. Though after warming up and checking out the competition there was a bit of an excited buzz in the air!
All of our players showed skill but for us a couple of players stood out. Janice (A team) played really well and had to be the core of the team. With her speedy skill she dribbled the ball up court ready to feed it into our fantastic shooters. Cath Hann (B team) was an all rounded brilliant player; she could play all positions defence, attack and shooter, she really made the B team a strong and fast moving team. However all of our players played amazingly, and we are really thankful to Mr Kelly who organised and trained us up for the event (not to mention the rewarding sweets!). Thanks also to our Year 10s who stayed and umpired, supported and kept score.
In the end our team came first, and we are officially the best girls Year 7 team in Brighton. Let's hope for more success in the future! Go Team STRINGER!
Written by By Tilly Tappenden 7CST and Jana Scott 7CST
Stringer Basketball Teams Reach Last 6 Nationally!
Dorothy Stringer High School is having a great basketball season with both the Year 9 Boys and Girls Teams reaching the last 6 in the National Schools Basketball Competition! This is a huge success for both of these teams as they are only one game away from competing in the National Finals! Could we have two national champions here at Stringer?
Come and support the teams in their next game and watch a possible national champion! Watch the screens around school for details of the teams next fixtures and read the write-up of their previous games below.
Girls National Finals
On Sunday, 3rd May we arrived at Nottingham Wildcats Arena, all very nervous but excited too. The first team we were up against were Hayfield School who were already warming up. We didn't waste much time and after an inspirational talk from Mr Kelly we were all up and ready to go. We started off with our first passarell team; Sadia, Katie, Lauren, Grace, Emily and Roz. We were all very happy after Katie scored the first basket of the game. After that we kept on scoring with the second passarell team too (Martha, Amber, Eloise, Tessa, Libby and I) and by half time we were winning by 6 points. Unfortunately in the second half both Katie and I were fouled out and it was up to the others to keep going. The final score was 24-20 to us and we were all very happy to have won our first game, but knew we still had to win two more to get to the final.
After just over an hours rest, we started to warm up for our second game of the day with Mr Ibbot playing music to us and dancing around a lot. We started off very well and by the end of the first quarter we were double their score at 12-6. We kept our lead and by half time the score was 23-10. We were ecstatic but carried on playing well; we knew it wasn't over yet. We won that game 49-24, the biggest score we got in the whole tournament.
We didn't have a break before our next game and went straight into our warm up. We were all very tired but still managed to have a score of 21-9 by the end of the first half. When we started playing again we did not give up and ended the game with a score of 38-24, not as high as the previous game but still enough to take us to the final. We all expected to have a while before playing our last game but were quickly told we had half an hour until we were expected to begin playing in the final.
The other team (Princes Risborough) had an hour maybe more resting before this game and so we were all very nervous as some of them were quite big and we were all so tired. The teachers were very nice and bought us all drinks to keep us going and we were told to drink plenty of water. Mr Kelly sat us all down a few minutes before the start of the game to talk to us, as he could tell how nervous we all were. Then we were ready to go.
We started off again with our first passarell team, and Sadia scored almost straight away, making us fell less nervous about coming on for the next 3 minutes. After the first 3 minutes the score was pretty even. Now it was time for the second team, who just seemed to keep scoring giving us a 7 point lead going into the second quarter. But the other team managed to catch up so by half time the score was 24-23, very close. By the end of the next quarter the score was even 30-30. We all came off exhausted, most of us crying!
But we had not given up and knew we just had to keep going for another 6 minutes and then it would all be over. In the next few minutes we scored a few baskets making the score 35-30, still very close. We then somehow managed to foul them three times in a row, meaning they got to shoot free throws. Lucky for us they missed all of them and we went on to score another basket. After that and with only a few minutes to go I was fouled off yet again, but we kept it together and after a very emotional game the score was 39-34 to us.
When the buzzer went we all jumped up screaming knowing that after all that we were National Champions. We huddled up, emotions flying and had one final shout for Stringer. After collecting the medals and our trophies we all went and showered ready to get in the minibus for a long journey home.
It was a very fun weekend and we are all so pleased that we won, after all the hard work we've put in. However we couldn't have done any of it without our coach Mr Kelly helping us along the way, so thank you to him. And also to the other PE teachers who gave up their time to take us up to Nottingham. It's sad that now it's all over but there's always next year - hopefully we will make it to division one and be just as successful!
Written by Charlotte Kirkland (9SHL)
Boys National Finals
On the 1st May we traveled up to Nottingham. After 5 and a half hours of Mr Kelly's and Mr Ibbott's lesson on music we finally reached our hotel. Mr Kelly's music was awesome! After we had settled in we left to roam the streets to find the nearest Pizza Hut. As Mr Ibbott was the navigator it was obvious we were going to get lost, but no one expected a 1 and a half hour trek! After everyone ordering their pizza and pasta, we were introduced to Mr Kelly's bad jokes.
When we got back to the hotel, we went to our rooms and watched Family Guy. After a good night's sleep we woke up and were given a buffet breakfast, this included bacon, eggs, tomato, hash browns, a selection of fruit, cereals, yogurt and drinks. We then left the hotel and after a final song from Mr Kelly we arrived at the centre bouncing in the van.
In the first game we got off to a good start with the score being 25-9 after the first quarter with everyone playing well. And after a solid second quarter our lead had stretched to 50-16. At the end of the third quarter our lead was 73-24. At this point we were sure we were going to win. In the final quarter with a few points from our super subs Ben, Nick, Dom we finished the game winning 90-30. We were happy with the win but knew we were going to be tested by the next team.
After relaxing for a couple of hours we found ourselves in the final facing Greig City from London. After a close first quarter 16-12 and an inspirational talk from Mr Kelly, we were then winning 30-18 at half time but we still knew the hardest was to come. After a very strong 3rd quarter we were winning 56-28. And then after an enjoyable 4th quarter including Ben falling over under the basket and Dylan tricking nearly the whole team and then went in for a buzzer beater lay-up. The final score was 81-36. Then after Mr Ibbott asking what it felt like to be a National Champ. We were awarded with key rings and the National Champions Shield.
I don't think this achievement would have been possible without the great coach that is Matt Kelly. Also I would like to say a huge thank you to Mr Ibbott, Mr Watson and Ms Young who drove us to Nottingham and back. Finally I would like to say a thank you to the boys who came to training at 7.30am on Wednesdays and put in the effort to play in all the games this year. The list of boys includes; Dylan Thompson, Rufus Cull, Nick Taylor, Dom Ward, George Raven, Ben Ward, George Vichi, Matthew Else, Max Richardson, Judd Newel and Sam Twine.
Written by Sam Twine (9FNS)
Year 9 Boys Sussex Finals
On Monday, 30th March the Year 9 Boys Basketball Team travelled to Haywards Heath to take part in the Sussex finals. We had already played in two tournaments to get to the final, both quite easily won. However, we hadn't won this match yet so we were still a little apprehensive about the game. We got to the basketball court and no one was feeling ready to play a Sussex final game. In the final we were playing Holy Trinity and they too had won a number of tournaments to get into the final so we were hoping for a good strong team to play.
We started the game with a strong first five, Sam Twine, George Vichi, Max Richardson, Matthew Else and Ben ward. Max took the tip and the game started. In the first quarter both teams were fighting to score any points at all and the score was pretty even. And by the end of the quarter there was only around 3 points dividing us but we managed to contain a small lead against them. As we entered the next quarter the game still could have gone either way how ever we still managed to keep our lead, thanks to some impressive basketball from Sam Twine, Rufus Cull and Max Richardson. This quarter seemed to end quite quickly. So at half time the score was, 16 - 30 to stringer.
After a short break the second half started and both teams switched ends. After the first half of the game we were hoping to up our game and try to perform better than we had been doing and to our joy something clicked and we were soon building up a greater and greater lead over our opponents. The whole team played very well and the level of skill rose. However, another 8 minute quarter lay ahead of us so we still had to do some work. We entered the final quarter with a lot of enthusiasm and confidence. And this proved helpful because we kept our massive lead throughout the last quarter and thanks to brilliant defence from the whole team only let them score 2 points on us. This meant after all our hard work that we had won the Sussex finals!
Both teams played very well but in the end we came out on top but we could never have won it if it wasn't for Mr Kelly's tremendous coaching through the year.
Year 8 and 9 Girls Basketball
In the last match played against Longhill we were victorious but today we were fighting to keep our title as the winners. Having had to wait an age before getting to Longhill we finally arrived to warm up and get ready. The Year 7s had already played and won their match so now it was time for us. We were playing full contact, the earth was dry and it was going to hurt like hell if we fell. So we fell, over and over again but we fell with pride, bringing down which ever opposition member ran at us wit the ball. It was a war, charging, shouting and blood. Not much blood but most people’s knee caps had been scrapped clear of skin.
The first tri was scored by us – Dorothy stringer - and before we knew it we were 2-0 up. Emily Kite was new to the game scored a magnificent tri. Izzy Clatcher who played centre took on some amazing tackles as did Year 9 players Eloise, Holliday and Katy. The hooker Grace Holkam quickly became at ease at the front row scrum alongside props Josie and Ruby. Maia Wade Davis who played second row helped score as a tri and a win over all. Miss Prince acted as the referee and continued to offer tips as the team went through high and lows. Josie Jolley acted as team captain while Ruby Bigden played as pack captain for the first time. Besty Robertson, Lara Blishen, Hannah Clover, Rosie Leigh and Emily Kite helped to keep Stringer tops.
A big thanks to everyone that played and an even bigger cheer for Miss Prince and Mr Harkin for training the girls so well!
U14 National Cup
On Thursday, 12th March, the Girls Basketball Team had their first match in Division Two for the National Cup and we were against Bradon Forest School.
As always we felt a bit nervous when we saw the other team as some of them had quite tall players. We played in our two pasarell teams. As soon as the match started they managed to get quite a few fast breaks and most of their rebounds, which left us all feeling a bit shocked. When it was time for the next pasarell team I think we were 4 points down.
Even though we were getting much better as the game went on, we always seemed to be a few points down, which was really frustrating as we wanted to win this so badly. So by the end of the first half the score was 26-22 to them. It was all right though because two of their best players had picked up quite a few fouls.
In the second half it started well, with us regaining points and fouling their best players out. It ending up be a pretty hard but equal match. Our star player had to be Sadia in the second half though because she made 5 amazing 3 pointers! With a bit of help from Amber's lay-ups, Eloise’s good defending and everyone else, we finished the game with a score of 58-50 to us!
Written by Martha Gosney (9RAY)
Year 9 Sussex Tournament
On Tuesday 17th March, the Year 9 Boys Basketball Team, which didn’t include our three 'superstars' (Sam, Rufus and George) or Nick but included the girl wonder herself, Sadia, travelled up to somewhere in Eastbourne to compete in the finals of East Sussex.
We got there only to realise that we were actually going to play one Year 8 team which must have had at least six players under 5 foot, so we were happy about that! Then as our time approached it took us about 10 minutes to actually find a way to the court because all the doors seemed to be locked. Before our first game we decided to have a little dunk contest which Mr. Kelly obviously won!
Our first game was against William Parker, the Year 8 team. In the first half we were pretty shaky but Mr. Kelly had a talk with us at the half and we started to perform. Judd was especially happy with himself when he rejected a kid who was half his height!
We got a bit confused because there wasn't actually a scoreboard but we knew we had won! At half time George (the waterboy) went and fetched us some refreshment while we sat and watched the next two games to see who we would have in the final. It turned out we were going to play Bishop Bell in the final, we had already played them once before in the National Schools Competition and beaten them convincingly so we were pretty confident.
We started off much better as Judd scored yet another three point play but this was nothing compared to the next thing that happened. Anyone who knows Dom Ward will know that he's not the tallest of people but still he managed to put in a huge rejection which made everyone jump out their seat. He was so pleased with himself that he actually managed to lose his opposite player so they scored a basket. At the half we were winning by quite a lot and we knew we were going to be victorious. The best part of all came right at the end of the game when Sadia ran the ball up the court, brilliantly as she had done the whole tournament, and with seconds left, passed it to Ben who was at least a foot outside the three point line. Without even looking Ben threw the ball high up in the air and, with a few seconds left the hall went silent and we could hear the faint swish of the net. We could not believe it. We had won but then had to find out that we actually had to play another game to win the whole thing which we will be playing on Monday the 30th March. Wish us luck!
Written by Dylan Thompson (9RCH)
Year 9 National Basketball Cup
On the 26th February we played St Bonaventure in the Last 32 of the National Basketball Cup. Before the game, after we had got changed, we had an inspirational talk from Mr. Kelly which fired up the team.
At the end of the first 5 minutes of Pasarell we were 2points up and they started to get angry and frustrated. AT the end of the next 5 minutes we were 4 points up with the score at 15-11. We remained 4 points up throughout the 1st half. At half time the score was 29-25.
In the second half they brought on their strong players and our lead started to slip. They were very athletic and quick which help them to fast break. But we brought their lead back 7 points in the last quarter.
We started to match the score for score up and down the court. And then with good shots from Judd we got their lead down to 3 points 2 minutes remaining. We kept on pushing and pushing but the gap was still at 3 points. We started to shoot 3 pointers but they bounced around and bobbled out. With 25 seconds left we were still 3 points down and had to foul them. Their No. 6 was very good and he made both of his free throws to stretch the lead to 5. We only had 1.3 seconds left so we inbounded the ball and had to shoot from in our own half which narrowly missed.
The final score was 56-51 and we were out of the Last 32. But now we go into a Div 2 cup which all the other teams that lost go into. So hopefully we will be able to win our next match and get into a weekend tournament.
Written by Sam Twine (9FNS)
Year 8 Girls Sussex Schools Tournament
On Wednesday, 28th January 2009, the Year 8 Girls Basketball Team played a tournament against Sussex schools. Unfortunately, Hove Park were the only other school who could make it! They bought five teams (roughly 24 people) with them and altogether we played 8 games. We won the first five, but unfortunately the sixth game was harder. It was tense but with lots of screaming from the sidelines we ended with a draw. Then we were in the final. We had two games left and managed to win them fairly easily. We won the final by 10 points and every played very well. Both of our teams came first and second, meaning we were crowned Brighton Schools Champions!
