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MATCH REPORTS ARCHIVE

 

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 27

 

GIRLS UNDER 14 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

BRENTWOOD FIRE 47  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 83

 

After a disappointing defeat the previous week, Southend Swifts under 14 girls team looked to get back to winning ways when they made the short journey to Brentwood Fire.  Southend are in 2nd place in the league table with Brentwood in 4th spot so a tough encounter had to be expected.

 

But from the start, Swifts established their superiority on the proceedings.  They scored the first 13 points as the home side were kept scoreless for the first four minutes.  The first quarter was an outstanding display from players so young, with Fay Solkhon converting three three-point shots, as she had 11 and captain Amy Rodgers nine, as their team led 26-6 at the end of the first quarter.

 

Changes of personnel had little effect as the lead increased towards 30 as Samantha Toole was freed from her defensive duties to lead the fast break.  With Rodgers and Solkhon continuing to find the basket the score stood at 43-13 at the half time interval.

 

The intensity understandably diminished as Swifts gave all of their players valuable court time.  With Toole much more active around the basket, Southend were able to score from all angles as the lead increased narrowly to 62-30 at the end of the third period.  The final 10 minutes was still relatively subdued but the visitors managed to increase the margin as they recorded a well-deserved 83-47 victory with Rodgers on 33 points, Solkhon 21 and Toole 18.

 

BOYS UNDER 16 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

OXFORD BROOKES EAGLES 64  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 55

 

Southend Swifts under 16 boys made the trip out to Oxford Brookes Eagles looking to halt a run of two successive defeats.  Oxford are currently in 4th place in the table and Southend in 6th.

 

Swifts made a good start, taking an 8-6 lead, but Eagles hit back with a 9-4 run to lead 15-12 at the end of the first quarter.  Led by Alfie Garrard, the Essex side had an 8-2 spell that gave them back the lead before the hosts replied with eight straight.  Swifts hit back as Graham Oluwadare found room around the basket and his team ended the first half with an 8-4 run to trail just 29-28 at the midway interval.

 

The momentum certainly seemed to be in Southend’s favour as Oluwadare and Jordan Smith for 13 of their team’s next 15 points as they looked to have taken a decisive 43-35 lead midway through the third quarter.  However, a change of defensive formation from Oxford had a significant effect on proceedings as they took a 15-5 advantage to lead 59-48 going into the final period.

 

Making the first two baskets took them 54-48 ahead but Swifts certainly had their chances to narrow the margin.  However, poor foul shooting (just two from eight attempts) would hurt them badly as the margin moved out to seven.  Oluwadare continued to be a threat and he brought it back to 59-55 with two minutes to play but his team failed to score after that as they fell to a disappointing 64-55 defeat; Oluwadare with 16 points and Smith 13 leading the way.

 

 

UNDER 18 WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

CHILTERN PUMAS 51  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 85

 

Southend Swifts under 18 girls team travelled out to Buckinghamshire looking to maintain their challenge for a high play-off place for the end of the season.  Opponents Chiltern Pumas have struggled for most of the season but have recently put in some much more spirited performances that belie their league position.

 

And so it proved as Pumas scored the first 10 points of the match that threatened to produce a major upset.  However, a Hannah Culwick three-point shot steadied the nerves and with some excellent foul shooting, six scored from seven attempts. Swifts clawed their way back to trail just 16-14 at the end of the first quarter.

 

But after conceding the first basket, Southend took over proceedings.  Captain Jennie Rodgers and Culwick combined for the next 11 points that gave the Essex team their first meaningful lead.  With Katie Holland also finding her range, Swifts continued to press home their advantage and another Culwick long-range effort helped them to a 37-24 half time advantage.

 

Holland led the way with nine of her team’s first eleven points and when she and Culwick scored successive three-pointers the lead moved closer to 20 as the score stood at 57-39 with one stanza remaining.  Swifts really did put their foot on the accelerator in the final 10 minutes.  Holland and Beth Robson hit three-pointers as their were two runs of 10 unanswered points as Southend recorded what was finally a comfortable 85-51 victory after the nightmare first three minutes.  Culwick with 28 points, Holland 22 and Rodgers 18 leading the scoring.

 

 

BOYS UNDER 14 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

WORTHING THUNDER 86  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 39

 

So the final game of a long day, which started with games for their under 11 and under 12 teams, saw Southend Swifts under 14 boys travel to the South Coast to take on Worthing Thunder. 

 

Southend made a good start, leading 10-9 after 5 minutes, with Daniel Emmanuel already with six points.  Worthing hit back with the next five and they maintained their advantage to lead 20-14 at the end of the first quarter.  The second period would be much more disappointing, with only Perry Osbourne able to get close to the basket as his team managed just three points to trail 43-17 at the half time interval.

 

Southend battled well in the third period, with all of their players showing their continuing improvement; a disappointing conceding of the final 10 points masking a very good 10 minutes work.  The young men still played hard throughout the last quarter and with some better foul shooting, would have kept the margin much closer.  An 86-39 defeat still leaves them looking for that elusive first win but the improvement over the season has been a testimony to how hard the whole team have worked.

 

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 28

 

UNDER 18 MENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – EAST DIVISION

IPSWICH TOMCATS 116  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 41

 

Southend Swifts under 18 boys team took a depleted line-up when they visited top of the table Ipswich Tomcats.  Southend are currently in fourth place and have an outside chance of making the season-ending play-offs.

 

Swifts made the worst possible start, conceding the first 23 points, as the home side were able to cope with the slippery floor.  An Alex Smith three-pointer was their only reward as they found themselves 35-3 down at the end of the first quarter.  The second period started little better as the margin increased to 54-6 before a spirited three minutes of play gave Southend 14 straight points, with Smith and Oliver Crussell sharing the load.

 

The second half was largely the same vein as Swifts struggled to cope with Tomcats zone defence.  Once again the long range shooting of Crussell was really their only weapon and he ended with 19 points as his team fell to a disappointing 116-41 defeat that almost certainly puts post-season play beyond them.

 

GIRLS UNDER 16 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

WORTHING THUNDER 23  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 92

 

So the final game of yet another hectic weekend saw Southend Swifts under 16 girls team make the journey to the South Coast to take on Worthing Thunder.  The hosts are new to the league this season and are currently languishing at the bottom of the table with just one victory from 15 games.

 

From the outset, Southend established their superiority, running in 22 straight points to lead 24-2 at the end of the first quarter.  Despite a much more passive defence, the barrage continued, with Jessica Holland scoring freely, as Swifts ran in a further 15 straight points.  With captain Katie Holland taking a backseat role, her team mates shared the spoils on their way to a 53-4 half time lead.

 

The third period was even more passive as Thunder managed to register 13 points but with Shannon Matthews and Francesca Moody finding the basket, the margin increased to 77-17 with one stanza to play.  With all of their players on the scoresheet, Swifts were content not to run up a cricket score as they ended with a 92-23 win that leaves them on course for the play-offs.  Jessica Holland with a career high 31 points, Shannon Matthews 14 and Francesca Moody 11 leading the scoring.

 

 

 

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20

 

 

GIRLS UNDER 14 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

IPSWICH BOBCATS 90  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 83

 

Southend Swifts under 14 team travelled with a depleted line-up to take on Ipswich Bobcats for their first game in four weeks.  Southend had recorded a 46 point victory when the teams met earlier in the season but knew it would be a much harder encounter in Suffolk.

 

Ipswich made the stronger start, taking an 8-4 lead after three minutes.  Swifts guard Fay Solkhon found herself with four very early fouls, which meant she was forced to the bench but with captain Amy Rodgers finding her way to the basket, the score was tied up at 14 after six minutes.  The home side recovered the initiative to go 22-16 ahead but the final 90 seconds would see Southend establish their first advantage, scoring 12 unanswered points to lead 28-22 at the end of the first quarter; Rodgers and Samantha Toole sharing the spoils.

 

The margin increased to eight at 36-28 but a 5-1 spell brought Bobcats back into the game.  Swifts replied with a similar run of their own but from 42-34 were shown to have conceded the next seven points, with Toole also adjudged to have committed her fourth foul.  Nerves seemed to come to the fore, with numerous turnovers slowing down the scoring, if not the foul count, with the half time score showing 43 points each.

 

With Southend putting both Solkhon and Toole back into the fray, despite both being on four fouls, they quickly made an 8-2 run that took them ahead.  From 53-49, Rodgers and Ipswich's Hayley Rigby both made two three-point shots each and another Toole score made it 61-55.  Two very harsh foul calls on Rodgers certainly impaired her defensive work, which let the home side back into the contest, and they tied the game up at 63 before two Rodgers baskets in the final minute gave her team a 69-65 lead going into the final quarter.

 

Swifts edged further ahead at 74-69 before Rodgers was adjudged to have incurred her fourth foul, which gave Bobcats renewed hope as they got back to 74-73.  Scores from Rodgers and Toole took the margin back to five points but Rodgers was called for her fifth foul, which meant she had to leave the contest.  Bobcats took full advantage of this, scoring the next 13 points to go 82-78 up with two minutes to play.  Southend missed some foul shooting opportunities and suddenly there seemed no way back at 86-78.  Solkhon was adjudged to have three successive dribbling violations and despite five late points from the same player, it would not be enough as Southend fell to a very disappointing defeat despite 42 points from Rodgers and 20 from Toole.

 

WOMENS SENIOR NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 2 – MIDLAND/SOUTH EAST DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 74  HINCKLEY LADYHOOPS 83

 

For the second time in seven days, Southend Swifts senior team met Hinckley Ladyhoops on their home court at Eastwood High school.  Southend had recorded a very good win the previous week, but were missing captain Jennie Rodgers, whilst Hinckley had their Lithuanian international Vaiva Beniusyte back in their line-up.

 

Three-pointers from Hannah Culwick and Beth Robson gave Swifts an early lead but with Beniusyte in equally good shooting form, the visitors led 12-11.  With Culwick showing her uncanny accuracy from long range, the game resembled the Gunfight at the OK Corral, with three point shots flying in from all angles; Hinckley leading 25-22 at the end of the first quarter.

 

The second period was little different as Holland took over the sharpshooter spot as she and Beniusyte scored two threes apiece.  Another Culwick effort (her 5th of the first half) took the home side 34-33 ahead and the teams traded scores for the remainder of the first half with Ladyhoops holding a very narrow 42-40 lead.

 

The Midland side came out much more strongly, taking a 53-43 lead, with a Robson three-pointer Swifts only score.  A time out seemed to settle the side as they sought to decrease the deficit and with the hosts starting to find their way to the basket; five late points saw the deficit at just 61-53 with one stanza remaining.

 

The gap narrowed to 66-60 but nine straight took it back to 75-60.  Southend changed to a more aggressive defensive formation and despite getting a number of turnovers, they could not put enough pressure on their opponents to get close enough as they fell to an 83-74 defeat in a very high scoring contest.  Culwick with 24 points, Holland 22 and Robson a senior career high of 16 leading the scoring.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 21

Results  - reports to follow:

U18 Men v Baddow Eagles  Lost 63-84

U16 Boys v Baddow Eagles  Lost  57-92

U14 Boys v Brentwood Fire   Lost  43-115

Senior Women  v Leicester Cannons  Lost 48-63

 

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13

UNDER 18 WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 82  EASTSIDE EAGLES 54 

The first game of a busy weekend for Southend Swifts saw their under 18 girls team look to consolidate their position in 2nd place in the South Division when they met Eastside Eagles on their home court at Eastwood High School.  The London side are currently in 5th place and Southend had a 15 point win when the teams met earlier in the season.  

Neither team could establish themselves early on as Eastside led 8-6 after four minutes but good fouls shooting from Swifts got them ahead and a Hannah Culwick three-pointer took her team 13-10 ahead.  The visitors replied with the next score but seven straight for the home side should have given them the impetus to take a hold on the game.  However, six of the last nine points gave Eastside the momentum and at the end of the first quarter Southend’s lead was just 23-18. An injury to Culwick limited Swifts’ scoring options that Eagles certainly took advantage of.  Captain Jennie Rodgers was the only player to score in the whole of the second period as good play from Eastside took them 34-32 ahead at the half time interval. 

Not for the first time, the break worked in Swifts favour.  Whatever had been said saw the home side take the initiative.  They scored the first six points and although Eagles replied with the next four, a 10-5 run made it 48-43.  But Culwick and Rodgers shared the next eight points and with one quarter remaining the lead was 56-43. Four straight from Culwick took the lead to 17.  Eastside’s press brought them four points but successive three-pointers from Rodgers started a 14-0 run that took the game beyond doubt as Southend recorded an 82-54 victory with a margin that certainly looked unlikely at half time;  Rodgers with 33 points and Culwick 28 leading the scoring.

 

UNDER 16 BOYS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

BEDFORDSHIRE KNIGHTS 84  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 49 

With a depleted squad due to the late arrangement of the under 18 game, Southend Swifts under 16 boys team travelled to Bedfordshire Knights looking to build on their victory the previous week.  The teams were in joint 5th place in the league table although Knights have played three games less.  

Southend made the worst of starts, finding themselves 27-2 behind against a team with just six players on their squad and at the end of a very disappointing first quarter the score stood at 33-6.  But there was much greater resolve in the second period.  Led by Ross Mann, Swifts gave a much better account of themselves.  They restricted their opponents to just 21 in the 10 minutes whilst scoring 16 themselves to trail 54-22 at half time. 

The third quarter was an even better effort as the very young squad actually outscored Bedfordshire, with George Cassidy, Jack Adams and David Goates all finding the basket.  The result was never going to be changed but the 66-36 score showed the young men's ability to battle. The home side came out firing in the final 10 minutes but Swifts played some excellent defence, again keeping the very athletic Knights team below 20 points as they ended with an 84-49 loss that was entirely due to the first quarter display.  Mann leading the way with 20 points.    

 

UNDER 18 MENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – EAST DIVISION

CAMBRIDGE CATS 81  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 75

 

A late change of fixture meant that it was a makeshift Southend Swifts under 18 team that travelled out to Cambridge, looking to maintain their play-off position.   Cambridge are in 5th place but recorded a one point win when the teams met earlier in the season. 

The home side made a great start, taking a 15-3 lead after five minutes but Southend hit back as Oliver Crussell and Graham Oluwadare made their way to the basket.  A three-point play from Alex Smith was the last score of the opening 10 minutes as Cambridge led 24-16. Swifts made a much better start to the second period, putting together a 17-4 run to gain their first lead of the game; Daniel Eagling showing greatly improved offensive skills.  Crussell’s three-point shooting was starting to work but Cats kept in the contest and at the midway point the Essex team's lead was just 40-35.

With Crussell shut down, it was left to Oluwadare and Smith to keep the scoreboard moving and they shared 13 of the 15 points scored in the quarter as their team just held on to lead 55-54 going into the final period.  But from 63-60 behind Cambridge scored 10 straight points which gave them control as Swifts were forced to play catch-up.  Crussell rediscovered his range but his team could never get closer than six as they fell to a disappointing 81-75 defeat with Crussell on 23 points, Smith 22 and Oluwadare 19.

 

WOMENS SENIOR NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 2 – MIDLAND/SOUTH EAST DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 85  HINCKLEY LADYHOOPS 68 

So the final game of the day saw the Southend Swifts senior women meet Hinckley Ladyhoops.  Both teams are near the foot of the league table and were looking to climb towards the play-off position.  The teams had met twice in Leicestershire earlier in the season with Southend winning both; once in the league, the other in the National Trophy. 

Swifts started stronger, taking an 11-6 lead after five minutes with Hannah Culwick contributing eight.  Hinckley hit back with a strong spell of their own, outscoring the home side 13-7 to hold a very narrow 19-18 advantage at the end of the opening quarter. But it was two 15 year olds that would wrestle the initiative back to Swifts.  A three-pointer from Beth Robson tied the game up and three successive scores from Francesca Moody helped her team to go 34-29 ahead.  The play from both teams became scrappy but a three-pointer from Katie Doubleday gave her team a 37-33 half time advantage. 

Good work from Jennie Rodgers and Katie Holland got Swifts six ahead and after the teams traded scores, Moody and Robson again found the basket to take their team 54-42 ahead and three more from Robson and a Molly Tappin foul shot made it 58-46 going into the final stanza. Another Culwick three-pointer took the margin to 13 and after Ladyhoops had the next score, a 9-0 run should have made the game safe; Holland contributing five.  But the visitors showed great resolve, making a 9-2 runn of their own that saw them trail just 72-59 with three minutes to play.  Another Culwick trey was answered by one from Hinckley and a trade of scores left it at 79-66 going into the final minute.  However frustration set in for the Midland side and a series of technical fouls were awarded against them that saw Holland convert six straight foul shots that put the game out of sight at 85-68.  Holland 21 points, Culwick 18 and Rodgers 15 leading the scoring.  

 

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 14

U14 Boys v London Feltham   -  game postponed as our opponents could not raise a team

 

Senior Women National League Div 2 Midlands South East

Brighton & Sussex Students  75   Southend  Swifts 30

 

 

 

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6

UNDER 18 WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

HARINGEY ANGELS 78  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 58 

After their victory over league leaders Sevenoaks Suns the previous week, Southend Swifts under 18 girls team had hopes of maintaining their momentum when they visited current national champions Haringey Angels.  But they were dealt a major blow when their England centre, Christina Gaskin, was ruled out of the game with an ankle injury, which would certainly restrict them against a team containing players that have joined from a number of other clubs. 

When Angels scored the first six points of the contest a rout seemed possible but three point shots from Jennie Rodgers and Katie Holland tied the game up at six apiece.  A 12-4 run took Haringey clear but not for the first time the season the prodigious shooting of Hannah Culwick, with two three-pointers, got Swifts back into the game with the lead for the hosts just 20-16 at the end of the first quarter. 

Another Culwick long-range effort made it 22-21 but the London side had the next eight to lead by nine.  After an exchange of three-pointers, it was Culwick again to get her team back into contention as they trailed 36-30 and with an old fashioned three-point play from Emily Hankin the half time score was a surprisingly close 37-33 to Haringey. 

But with their scoring resources limited, Swifts conceded 13 points to 4 in the opening six minutes of the third quarter and despite five straight points from Katie Doubleday a 9-0 run for the home side took them 59-42 ahead with one period remaining.  From 64-42 Southend again found some resolve as Culwick, Hankin and Holland maintained their scoring and whilst a 78-58 defeat was disappointing, Southend know that with a full line-up they are a match for any team in the country.  Culwick 19 points, Holland 13 and Hankin 10 leading the scoring.

 

UNDER 18 MENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – EAST CONFERENCE

ESSEX PIRATES 73  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 83 

The two elder Southend Swifts boys teams made the short journey to take on Essex Pirates in their latest round of games.  First into action were the under 18s, looking to maintain their top four position. 

Pirates started stronger, taking a 13-2 lead after six minutes before good work from Thulani Sibanda and Graham Oluwadare  got Southend back into the fray at 17-12.  But conceding a 10-4 run saw Swifts trail 27-16 at the end of the first quarter.  Matters got worse as from 29-22, Southend conceded 20 of the next 22 points to trail 49-24 and the match seemingly beyond recovery with the half time margin standing at 52-28. 

But whatever was said during the half time interval slowly began to reap rewards.  From 59-36, Swifts remarkably scored the next 22 points with Sibanda, Oluwadare and Oliver Crussell completely dominating proceedings to trail by just one at the end of the third quarter.  With the momentum entirely their way, the same trio continually found their way to the basket as Southend recorded the unlikeliest of victories by 83 points to 73.  Sibanda with 33 points and Crussell and Oluwadare 24 each.

 

UNDER 16 BOYS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH CONFERENCE

ESSEX PIRATES 53  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 62 

After the excitement of the under 18 boys game, it was the turn of Southend Swifts under 16 boys team to seek victory against Essex Pirates, who they have already beaten on two previous occasions this season. Southend took an early 9-5 lead as captain Alex Gilbert found his way to the basket and they maintained their advantage to lead 13-9 at the end of the first quarter.  The home side hit back to lead 18-17 and the teams traded scores for the remainder of the 2nd period as the hosts led 31-30 at the midway interval. 

Baskets from Gilbert, Ross Mann and the tireless Graham Oluwadare took Swifts 41-35 ahead and despite conceding a 6-2 run, Southend were able to hold on for a 47-43 lead going into the final 10 minutes.  An 8-3 start in the first five minutes settled the nerves and despite some indifferent foul shooting, just three scored from eight attempts, Swifts defence held strong as they recorded a well-deserved 62-53 win with Gilbert on 23 points and Oluwadare 19.

 

UNDER 14 BOYS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH CONFERENCE

IPSWICH TOPCATS 129  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 41 

After a two week break, Southend Swifts under 14 boys made the daunting trip to second in the table Ipswich Tomcats still seeking their first victory of the season.  From two points all, Ipswich put together an 18-2 run that took them clear.  Southend struggled to contain their much more experienced and physically mature opponents as they trailed 36-12 at the end of the first quarter.  The second period saw much of the same as the home side continued to rack up the points as they led 73-14 at half time. 

The third quarter saw Swifts finally create some scoring opportunities but they were unable to convert free throw chances and with 10 minutes remaining they trailed 99-22.  The final quarter was much more positive as the young men gave a much better account of themselves, registering a double figure return on their way to a 129-41 defeat with Perry Osbourne scoring 16 points and Daniel Emmanuel on 10.

 

GIRLS UNDER 16 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

COLCHESTER JAMMERS 31  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 76 

The final two games on a very hectic day for Southend Swifts bizarrely featured the same team, the under 16 girls.  They first outing was away at Colchester Jammers as they sought to maintain third position in the league table. 

From the start, Southend stamped their authority on proceedings.  From 10-2 after four minutes, the margin gradually increased despite constant changes of personnel as Swifts looked to conserve energy for the later game.  From 24-8 at the end of the first quarter, points accumulated rapidly as the lead extended to 49-21 at half time. 

Unsurprisingly the intensity dropped in the second half as is often the position in games such as these.  Southend utilised different line-ups and formations as the scoreline increased to just 61-25 with one period remaining.  The final 10 minutes were again subdued as Swifts recorded a 76-31 win with 9 of their players on the scoresheet.

 

GIRLS UNDER 16 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 70  IPSWICH BOBCATS I 57 

So the final game of a very hectic day saw Southend Swifts under 16 girls have their second game of the day.  This time they were at home at Eastwood High School against Ipswich Bobcats I, who are currently in fifth place in the league table, with some very impressive results of late.

Southend made a good start, taking an 8-3 lead as their pressure defence brought early rewards.  An 8-2 run made the lead double digit but Ipswich showed excellent resolve, putting a similar spell together for themselves to narrow the deficit to just 18-13 at the end of the first quarter. The second period saw tremendous excitement as Bobcats showed how much they had improved as they reduced the margin down to two at 23-21.  However Southend’s Sophie Hankin gave an outstanding  display of shooting, scoring her teams next nine points as the lead went back to seven at 32-25.  But Ipswich replied with seven unanswered to tie the game up before Swifts had the final basket to lead by just two at 34-32 at half time and the game wide open. 

But the half time team talk  had an immediate effect.  A change of defensive tempo and formation kept the visitors scoreless for over five minutes whilst Southend scored 13 themselves to take the conclusive advantage.  With 14 year old Amy Rodgers orchestrating the play, captain Katie Holland was finally able to find her scoring touch with successive three-pointers as the lead grew to 57-35 much to the relief of the home spectators; further scores from Holland giving her team a 59-38 lead going into the final stanza. It was a very scrappy start to the final quarter before another Holland trey made it 63-42.  However an unfortunate accident saw Rodgers crash into the glass behind the basket which meant she was carried from the court with bad bruising.  This obviously disrupted Southend’s flow as Bobcats again showed their toughness in looking to get back into the game.  Hankin left the proceedings to great applause from all of the spectators as a final Holland three-pointer secured the victory by 70 points to 57 in an excellent contest.  Hankin with 30 points and Holland 25 leading the scoring.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 7

UNDER 18 MENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – EAST CONFERENCE

 SOUTHEND SWIFTS 65  HERTFORDSHIRE WARRIORS 59

 

For their second game of the weekend, Southend Swifts under 18 boys team had a home fixture against Hertfordshire Warriors.  The teams were in joint third place in the table with six wins from nine games played.

 

The visitors made the slightly better start, leading 6-5 but Southend hit seven straight with Oliver Crussell contributing five.  Hertfordshire made two 6-2 runs to re-take the lead before a Thulani Sibanda basket tied the game at 18 all at the end of the first quarter. Swifts came out strongly at the start of the second period with the first five points and good work from Sibanda and Graham Oluwadare triggered an 8-3 spell that took the lead out to 31-21.  However, Warriors hit back with the last eight points of the half to trail just 31-29 at the midway interval.

 

Hertfordshire certainly had the momentum and a 9-2 run took them five ahead.  Southend were struggling to get any easy scoring opportunities and after six minutes they were 44-35 down.  An Alex Smith three-pointer seemed to stem the tide but the hosts could get no closer and at the end of the third quarter, Warriors lead was 48-42.  However, for the second time in two days Southend showed huge resolve.  A 10-4 run over the first six minutes brought them level and then a 9-2 spell took them 61-54 ahead; Wilfred Mutero with four.  Warriors had the next five points and going into the last minute it was just 61-59.  But it was Swifts who held their nerve and they had the final four points to record a very hard-earned victory by 65 points to 59.  Oluwadare with 24 points, Crussell 15 and Sibanda 13 leading the way.

 

 

WOMENS SENIOR NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 2 – SOUTH DIVISION

LEICESTER CANNONS 72  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 30

 

The three tough girls’ game the previous day meant that Southend Swifts had a number of players unavailable for the journey to Leicester due to injuries.  The home side were at full strength.

 

Southend made a surprising start, taking a 6-2 lead as Katie Holland found her way through the home defence.  But Holland turned her ankle, which restricted her mobility, and Cannons were able to take the initiative.  Swifts were able to restrict their opponents to just 30 points in the first half and battled throughout the contest.  Leicester elected to play a very physical pressing defence for the whole game, which the officials deemed as legal, but the young Southend side kept their resolve and got through the fixture that many other clubs would have forfeited.  Holland 17 points and Hannah Culwick 10 leading their team.

 

SATURDAY JANUARY 30

BOYS UNDER 16 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

LONDON SPARTANS 53  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 67 

Southend had a depleted squad and gave a national league debut to Alfie Hunter. Swifts made an strong start, scoring the first eight points and with Ross Mann showing excellent form, the margin increased to 17-4.  Spartans hit back with a 7-0 but Southend had the last three points to lead 20-11 after the opening 10 minutes. The hosts had the better of the early minutes of the second quarter, reducing the deficit to 24-18 but five straight got Swifts 11 ahead.  Spartans again had a 7-0 run but Southend had the last five and at half time it was 34-25. 

London’s excellent three-point shooting was keeping them in the game but with Mann continuing to keep the scoreboard moving the margin remained in double digits.  David Goates and Hunter were taking numerous rebounds allowing Swifts fast break to rack up the points and with one quarter to play it was 49-35. The opening minutes saw Swifts make a crucial move as a George Cassidy three-pointer was part of a 7-0 run that took them 56-37 ahead.  The home side continued to battle, getting back to 60-50 with three minutes remaining but they could get no closer as Southend ended with a 67-53 victory in a very good contest.  Mann had a career high 31 points, with Cassidy on 15 and Goates 8.

 

MENS UNDER 18 NATIONAL LEAGUE – EAST DIVISION

COLLEGE OF WEST ANGLIA 66  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 71 

Southend Swifts under 18 Mena team made the long journey out to Kings Lynn to take on the College of West Anglia looking to retain their top four spot in the very competitive East Conference.  Southend were missing some of their senior players and had a number of under 16s in action. The home side had the first five points but Swifts hit back to lead 8-5.  Neither side could take a meaningful advantage with the home side leading 17-15 at the end of the first period.  However, the second quarter would see a complete change of fortunes.  Led the Thulani Sibanda, Southend established complete control of the game.  A 15-6 run took them seven ahead and then a 13-4 spell over the final three minutes gave the visitors a 43-27 half time lead; Sibanda with 15 in the quarter. 

A Wilfred Mutero three-pointer helped the margin extend to 48-29 and should have led to a comfortable win. But the Norfolk team hit back with a 17-4 run to reduce the gap to just six before an Alex Gilbert basket made it 54-46 going into the last quarter. Five straight for West Anglia made it a three point game but with the teams swapping baskets it was 64-61 with three minutes to play.  Four foul shots from Gilbert kept the margin in place despite Swifts losing two of their players to five fouls.  It was still a three point advantage in the last minute and it was fitting that Sibanda should make the final two foul shots to give his team a well-deserved 71-66 win; Sibanda with a career high 32 points and Gilbert on 18.

 

SENIOR WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 2 – SOUTH DIVISION

SEVENOAKS SUNS II 53  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 72 

After a run of defeats, Southend Swifts senior women looked to reverse their fortunes when they travelled to Sevenoaks Suns.  Southend were again understrength and gave Shannon Matthews her first outing at this level. Swifts made a poor start, trailing 9-2 after five minutes, but with Jennie Rodgers starting to get to the basket, the deficit began to reduce.  Matthews had her first senior basket and at the end of the first quarter Sevenoaks lead was just 13-2. Five points from Hannah Culwick gave Southend their first lead and with Katie Holland creating space for herself the margin grew to 26-21.  Suns hit back and despite another Culwick three-pointer the game was tied up at 31 all at half time. 

But whatever was said during the half time interval had the desired effect.  Sevenoaks could find no way to the basket and with 14 year old Amy Rodgers scoring six straight points, Swifts began to pull away.  Consecutive three-pointers from Beth Robson and Holland made it 47-36 and with the younger Rodgers scoring on the fast break the score was 51-40 at the end of the third period. Southend suddenly found their long range shooting touch as Culwick twice and the Rodgers sisters once each hit three point shots to put the game out of sight at 67-43 as the visitors ended with a comfortable 72-53 win with Jennie Rodgers on 29 points, Culwick 13 and Amy Rodgers 11.

 

SUNDAY JANUARY 31

WOMENS UNDER 18 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 75  SEVENOAKS SUNS 61 

The final game of the weekend was potentially the most significant as Southend Swifts under 18 girls welcomed Sevenoaks Suns to their home court at Eastwood High School.  The Kent side are currently at the top of the table with just one defeat so far this season and recorded a nine point victory when the teams met in October.  Both teams made a cautious start before a Hannah Culwick three-point shot gave Southend their first lead at 7-6 after four minutes.  Sevenoaks replied with the next five points but Swifts captain Jennie Rodgers hit back with the same amount to keep it a one point game.  A 10-3 spell gave the visitors the initiative as they led 21-15 but eight straight for Southend, with Katie Doubleday contributing four, got them ahead before a Suns basket tied the game up at 23 at the end of the first quarter. Sevenoaks again came out strongly making an 8-2 run that took them ahead before a crucial passage of play.  In three minutes, Swifts scored 12 unanswered points as their pressure defence began to reap rewards.  Christina Gaskin was dominating around both baskets and with Culwick scoring a three-pointer with the most incredibly quick release, it was 37-31.  Suns hit back with the next four but Swifts shot well from the foul line to lead 41-35 at the half time interval. 

The teams traded three-pointers in the opening minute and another Sevenoaks score made it 44-40 but again Swifts hit a purple patch to match their kit.  This time they had a 13-0 run as Katie Holland and Gaskin created havoc in the Suns defence.  Another Culwick three-pointer led a further flurry and with one stanza to play it was 64-45. Holland, Gaskin and Rodgers all scored in the first three minutes and suddenly it was a very unexpected 70-47 lead.  Sevenoaks hit back with seven straight but Doubleday, having her best game of the season, made a three-pointer and another Gaskin score took their team 75-54 ahead and the game over.  Sevenoaks had the final seven points but it would not be enough as Swifts recorded an outstanding 75-61 win that throws the league title open.  Gaskin 28 points, Rodgers 19 and Doubleday 10 leading the scoring.

 

 

SATURDAY JANUARY 23

UNDER 18 WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 81  BRIXTON TOPCATS 70 

A busy weekend of basketball saw the three elder Southend Swifts girls teams all have home matches at Eastwood High School.  First into action were the under 18 team who met this year’s surprise package, Brixton Topcats, who are currently top of the table with 7 wins from 10 games.  Swifts were sitting in third place with six wins from eight games but were forced to play without captain Jennie Rodgers, out with an Achilles injury.

Southend took an early 8-2 lead as their pressing defence brought quick rewards and with Christina Gaskin in dominant form the lead extended to 20-10 after eight minutes of the first quarter.  However, Topcats hit back with 12 unanswered points before an Emily Hankin three-point play gave her team a very narrow 23-22 lead at the end of the opening 10 minutes. The visitors had the first five points of the second period but 10 straight for Swifts gave them back the initiative; gaskin and Katie Holland sharing the spoils.  The Londoners would not be denied and they had a 9-0 run to lead by three and they increased this to 42-38 at the half time interval. 

A change of defensive formation stemmed Brixton’s scoring and a Hannah Culwick three-pointer made it 47-44.  However, Topcats showed their resolve with the next five before Swifts made the crucial break, Led by some outstanding defence from Emma Scudder, who kept Brixton’s main scorer out of range her team-mates combined for the next 10 points to lead 57-49 which was narrowed to 57-52 at three quarter time. The teams shared the first eight points and scores from Culwick and Gaskin made it 65-8.  The margin reduced to five and when Brixton made another three-pointer, it was 69-65 with three minutes to play.  But Katie Doubleday, who was suffering from a stomach upset, came through with the next four points; Scudder converted off a fast break and when Gaskin made a three-point play it was 78-66 into the final minute.  With a flourish from the foul line, the job was finished and Swifts recorded a very hard earned 81-70 win with Gaskin on 37 points, Doubleday 14 and Culwick 11.

 

UNDER 16 GIRLS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 51  HARINGEY ANGELS 87 

This was a crucial game for Southend Swifts under 16 team who were striving for position towards the end of season play-offs.  The visitors were Haringey Angels, who are unbeaten in all play so far this season and who recorded a five-point victory when the teams met earlier in the season. But this time the Londoners established their superiority from the start, opening a 14-2 lead after just five minutes.  Southend could find little or no cohesion and despite three-pointers from Beth Robson and Stephanie Smith the score at the end of the first quarter was 24-10; Smith’s effort right on the buzzer. The second quarter was even worse as Swifts managed just one solitary point as they seemed incapable of carrying out the most basic of skills.  Angels had 20 points and at half time it was a very humbling 44-11.  

But the home side at least showed some character in the second half.  Jessica Holland and Shannon Matthews led from the front and the team had doubled their scoring output after just seven minutes.  The team showed their fighting qualities and with one quarter to play it was 28-63.  For the final quarter, it was Sophie Hankin and the mercurial Hannah Gowland who came to the fore as they combined for the first 11 points to keep the deficit to a reasonable level.  Robson and Hankin kept the scoreboard moving and the final score line of 87-51 meant that the second half had been a three point differential; at least restoring some pride on what was a disappointing day.

 

WOMENS SENIOR NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH EAST DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 56  LONDON WESTSIDE 84 

The final home game saw Southend Swifts senior team (none of whom are seniors) take on unbeaten London Westside, Southend are having a tough time as their under strength team struggles against much older and experienced opponents. 

The visitors made the better start, taking a 6-2 lead after just two minutes, but Swifts hit back with the next seven points, to take an unexpected lead: Hannah Culwick including a three-pointer in the spell.  The next two Southend scores were also three pointers; Culwick and Sarah Cozens sharing the load, but Westside hit back with the next six to lead 18-15.  However, with Katie Holland finding her way to the basket the hosts kept in the game, trailing just 22-21 at the end of the first quarter. The second period would see a remarkable 10 minutes as the youngsters from Essex gave a remarkable display of long distance shooting.  The first three baskets were all three-pointers, Culwick with two, Holland had the next five points and when Culwick had two further three-pointers, the lead was a most unlikely 40-32 with the team making 27 of their points from very, very long distance. 

But the exertions of the first half had certainly taken their toll.  Culwick was shut down and with Westside using their experience they got themselves in front at 47-45.  After that, it was largely one-way traffic as the London side took the second half by 52 points to 16 to take a deserved victory if by the slightly flattering margin of 84 points to 56.  Culwick with 22 points (including six three-pointers), Holland 18 and Cozens 10 leading a valiant effort.

 

The under 14 boys had two outings over the weekend meeting Westminster Warriors and Newham Academy.  The game against Westminster, who are just one place ahead of Southend, was a nail biter with Swifts battling back from 10 points down at half time to just miss out on their first win of the season as they fell to a 58-55 defeat.  Newham, who are top of the table with an unbeaten record, showed their undoubted pedigree with a 127-25 win.

 

 

SUNDAY JANUARY 24

 

For the under 16 boys there was also disappointment.  Despite being without captain Alex Gilbert, they kept second in the table Islington Panthers within striking distance due to some excellent defensive work.   Trailing 38-28 going into the final quarter, they battled back to one point down at 47-46 but the loss of Graham Oluwadare to five fouls proved too costly as the team lost by a very creditable 53-48 with Oluwadare on 16 points and George Cassidy with 14.

 

For the two youngest girls teams there was a return to winning ways after recent defeats.  The under 14 girls gave a national league debut to 12 year old Megan Jones and the youngster was able to get valuable playing time as Swifts recorded a 107-30 victory over Norfolk Iceni.  From four points apiece, the home side scored the next 32 points to stamp their authority on proceedings, with play that brought prolonged applause from all spectators.  Regular leading scorers Amy Rodgers and Samantha Toole sat out the second half as the team strengthened their hold on second place in the league table.

 

The final fixture in a very hectic weekend saw the under 16 girls travel to Suffolk to take on the Ipswich Bobcats second team.  Swifts scored the first 18 points of the contest, converting a 66-22 half time lead into a 116-37 victory, with constant changes of players.  Katie Holland and Sophie Hankin on 21 points each and Francesca Moody with 19 leading the scoring that saw 7 players in double figures.    

 

SATURDAY JANUARY 16

The under 14 girls suffered just their second defeat of the season, losing again to Haringey Angels.  After a slow start, when they trailed 7-2 after five minutes, the young ladies put in superb 10 minutes of play to lead 22-21 midway through the second quarter.  Some over-zealous officiating mean that Swifts’ two tallest players had both collected four fouls which nullified their effectiveness against Haringey’s already obvious size advantage and the Londoners led 38-26 at half time.  Captain Amy Rodgers gave a superb display but despite this, the lead increased to 61-35 at the end of the third quarter and a rout seemed likely.  However, a hugely spirited final period saw Southend make some inroads but it was never likely to be enough as they fell to a 70-51 defeat in a game of a very high standard for players so young.  Rodgers led the team with 31 points. 

The under 16 boys also travelled to Haringey and they, too, were on the end of a defeat.  The damage was done in the first quarter as the hosts scored five three-point shots to take a 23-8 lead.  Playing catch-up is always a difficult exercise and despite another excellent performance by Graham Oluwadare, Swifts could make no inroads as they fell to an 86-50 loss, with Oluwadare scoring 27. 

The under 18 boys were the first team to get a victory but they did it by the narrowest margin. Visiting Essex & Herts Leopards, they opened a 20-11 first quarter lead with Thulani Sibanda scoring well.  They maintained the nine point gap to the end of the third period and it was still six ahead with five minutes to play.  But going scoreless over the next three minutes saw the game tied at 60.  Swifts had the next four but Leopards again tied the game up in the last minute.  However Oliver Crussell was able to get the final basket to lead his team home by 66 points to 64; Crussell ending with 17 points and Sibanda 16. 

The under 14 boys again fell to a heavy defeat, this time against 3rd in the table Solent Kestrels, but are certainly showing genuine signs of maturity on court.  Although points scoring is tough, their defensive prowess in greatly improved as they restricted their much more experienced opponents to 82 points against the 134 they conceded earlier in the season.  An 82-29 loss is still a big margin but that first victory cannot be far away. 

The senior women had another difficult outing against league leaders Brighton & Sussex Students but made an outstanding start, leading 10-4 after four minutes, and kept in front by 24-23 at the end of the first quarter.  Injury to captain Jennie Rodgers meant she had to leave the game midway through the second quarter and this took away many of Swifts offensive options.  Surprisingly the South Coast side could not get away and surprisingly the margin was just 52-61 after three minutes of the final quarter but the greater experience of the visitors took them to an 82-61 victory; Katie Holland leading the Swifts scoring with 27 points.

 

SUNDAY JANUARY 17

The under 18 girls met Chiltern Pumas at their Eastwood High School home obviously missing Rodgers through injury.  Some stifling defence restricted Pumas to just five points in the first quarter and at half time it was 37-13.  From 41-15 there was a remarkable sequence with Swifts’ Christina Gaskin scoring her teams next 19 points on their way to a comfortable 82-32 victory; Gaskin ending with 33 points. 

The final game saw the under 16 girls travel to Sevenoaks Suns.  A poor start saw them 14-4 behind but some spirited defensive work narrowed the gap to 28-20 after the opening stanza.  The momentum continued and after three minutes of the second quarter it was 29-27 but a lack of concentration enabled the hosts to open a 46-31 half time lead.  Matters got worse in the third period as the margin continued to increase and with 10 minutes to play it was 68-44.  A 16-4 run took Suns 84-48 ahead with five minutes to play and on their way to a crushing victory.  But from nowhere Swifts remembered what they could do.  In three minutes they scored five three-point shots with Beth Robson contributing four of them.  A remarkable 21 points unanswered was not enough to secure victory but the journey home was a little more bearable.  Holland 24 and Robson 20 leading the scoring    

 

 

SATURDAY JANUARY 9

GIRLS UNDER 14 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

NEWHAM YOUNGBLOODS 31  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 90 

With all of their other weekend fixtures postponed due to travel difficulties, the only Southend Swifts team able to take to the court were their under 14 girls team.  They made the relatively short journey to East London to meet Newham Youngbloods who are currently in 6th place in the league table with one win from five games played; Southend currently in second position with just one defeat from the same number of matches.  Swifts gave a National league debut to 13 year old 5’ 11” Abbey Parsons.  

Given the three week Christmas break it was hardly surprising that it was a fairly lethargic start by both teams as Southend led just 9-3 after the opening five minutes; captain Amy Rodgers contributing seven.  However, Newham’s time-out served the visitors better as they scored the next 20 points to take a decisive advantage; Abbie Jones and Bethany Cooper both with four in the run. Swifts were already rotating their personnel and much to the delight of her new team mates, Parsons scored with her first-ever attempt as the margin gradually increased to 35-7.  Youngbloods were having their best spell, keeping Southend’s scoring in check.  A 6-2 run for Southend made it 53-12 and the second quarter ended with Deanna Blake also getting her first National League basket as her team led 47-15. 

Swifts’ defence was much more passive as they looked at different playing line-ups, leaving Rodgers on the bench for the whole of the third period.  However, excellent passing from Fay Solkhon provided scoring opportunities for her colleagues, which Kate Livermore and Samantha Toole gratefully converted and suddenly the lead was 40 at 59-19.  A Solkhon three-pointer and four points from Lucy Lawless helped the Essex side to a 70-27 advantage with one stanza remaining. Lawless again had four points as her team shared the first eight points in the opening two minutes. The Newham players, who had battled tirelessly up to that juncture, seemed to run out of steam as Swifts had the final 16 points of the contest to end up comfortable winners by 90 points to 31.  Once again there was a very good points spread with Rodgers on 19, Lawless and Jones 12 and Cooper and Toole 10.     

 

 

SATURDAY DECEMBER 19

WOMENS SENIOR DIVISION 2 – MIDLAND SOUTH EAST DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 62  LEICESTER CANNONS 90 

With the two age groups matches postponed due to travelling difficulties, the final Southend Swifts game of 2009 saw the senior women take on Leicester Cannons at Eastwood High School.  Southend were once again missing a number of influential players as they met a vastly experienced team who are currently in second place in the league table. 

Swifts made a terrible start, conceding the first eight points of the contest and despite a Katie Doubleday score it was 14-2 after five minutes and the East Midland side looking to record a very comprehensive victory.  However, the young Essex team suddenly found their confidence and led by seven points from Katie Holland they got back to 17-11.  Leicester replied with the next four but seven straight for the hosts left the scoreline at just 18-21 at the end of the first quarter. The second period was a very strange ten minutes in terms of the scoring pattern.  Cannons scored eight straight before finding themselves kept scoreless for six minutes although Southend could manage just seven points themselves in that time with Hannah Culwick contributing five.  The final two minutes would see the visitors go on a 7-0 run that gave them a 36-25 half time lead. 

The third quarter saw both offences on top, with a barrage of three-point shots.  From 41-29, Culwick hit two successive long-range efforts but some good work from Cannons Lisa Roberts helped her team to pull 54-35 clear.  Swifts came back with 11 straight and it was another batch of runs, eight for Leicester and six for Southend, which saw the margin at just 10 at 62-52 with one quarter remaining. But on this occasion it would be a triumph of experience over youth. With Culwick’s scoring threat nullified, the hosts were unable to maintain their scoring touch whilst Cannons were seemingly able to score at will.  Despite good work from the tireless Sophie Hankin, Leicester were able to score 11 points in the last three minutes to record a deserved victory if by the slightly flattering margin of 90 points to 62.  Culwick with 20 points, Doubleday 16, Holland 11 and Hankin 10 leading the scoring.

 

 

SATURDAY DECEMBER 12

BOYS UNDER 14 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

BADDOW EAGLES 53  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 52 

A truncated fixture schedule for Southend Swifts, following the postponement of their senior womens match, saw their under 14 boys team make the short trip to Great Baddow as they sought their first victory of the season.  The young men have struggled competing with some very big and experienced opponents but were hopeful of turning their fortunes around against a team actually below them in the table by virtue of having forfeited a number of games. 

Both teams made nervous starts and after five minutes it was just four points apiece.  Baddow got the first advantage at 10-6 but good work from Jack Edwards and Daniel Emmanuel pegged the lead back and at the end of the first quarter the home side held a narrow 14-12 lead. Baskets from Perry Osbourne and Emmanuel gave Southend a narrow advantage and the teams traded scores with Swifts leading 22-21 after four minutes of the second period.  The visitors’ poor foul shooting was certainly stopping then opening a meaningful gap as Eagles scored six straight.  Emmanuel kept his team in it but at the half time interval, Baddow led 31 points to 26. 

The hosts came out stronger, scoring five unanswered, to open a 10 point lead.  Sam Read triggered a 6-2 run that stemmed the tide and looked to have got his team back into contention.  Eagles managed to regain their composure and despite further scores from Read and Emmanuel, an 8-4 spell gave them a 46-36 lead going into the final quarter. Baskets from Read and Alex Moyies gave Swifts some hope but with neither side able to take their scoring chances, it was 51-43 after six minutes of the final quarter; indeed the scorers had not been troubled for more than three minutes.  Edwards finally broke the duck but Baddow replied quickly and the scoreboard showed 53-45 with three minutes to play.   

However, the home side seemed to freeze as they sensed their first victory.  Edwards made one foul shot followed by two Emmanuel baskets and going into the final minute it was 53-50.  After more missed foul shots, Edwards scored again and with 35 seconds left it was 53-52 and the crowd on the edge of their seats.  Southend had two more foul shots but with nerves frayed they were both squandered.  Baddow missed their next shot but Swifts turned the ball over again and the chance was lost as they fell to the narrowest of defeats by 53 points to 52. 

This was undoubtedly Southend’s best performance of the season led by Emmanuel with 24 points, Edwards 11 and Read 8 but they will rue the 15 missed foul shots out of 19 attempts.

 

GIRLS UNDER 16 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 74  SOLENT SUNS 52 

The only other game on the day saw Southend Swifts under 16 girls team look to continue their winning streak as they welcomed Solent Suns to their Eastwood High School home.  Southend had won their last six games as had Solent, so a tough encounter had to be expected. 

Swifts made a slow start, failing to score for the first three minutes, to trail by two, before they scored eight straight to open their first lead.  Suns replied with the next four, as the hosts again went scoreless for three minutes as captain Katie Holland was forced off the court with a leg injury.  However, six points from Sophie Hankin got the momentum back as her team led 16-10 at the end of the first quarter. A 8-0 run, with scores from Jessica Holland, Shannon Matthews and four from Hankin, took the margin to 14 and Southend kept up their work rate to lead 30-16.  Solent hit back with five straight but the home side regained their composure and they closed out the quarter with a 6-2 spell that gave them a 35-23 half time lead. 

Scores from Hankin and Lauren Tate further extended the margin but Suns battled back and they hit seven straight to reduce the deficit to just nine at 39-30.  This seemed to spur Swifts on and a three-pointer from Katie Holland and an inside move by Stephanie Smith started a 15-4 run that gave them a conclusive 54-34 lead with one stanza remaining. A three-pointer and a lay-up from Beth Robson took the lead to 25 and with Hannah Gowland finding space around the basket the margin got close to 30.  Southend were rotating their personnel as they rested players in advance of the following day’s cup quarter final.  Francesca Moody, having her best game of the season, converted four foul shots in a row as her team ran out winners of a very good contest by 74 points to 52.  Hankin 24 and Holland 17 leading the scoring.   

 

SUNDAY DECEMBER 13

GIRLS UNDER 14 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 108  BRENTWOOD FIRE 58 

The first match of a long and exciting day of basketball at Eastwood High School saw Southend Swifts under 14 girls team look to extend their three game winning streak when they met Brentwood Fire, who have two wins from four games played. 

Southend made a sensational start, scoring the first 14 points of the contest as their pressing defence caused havoc; Fay Solkhon and Samantha Toole with four points apiece.  Brentwood finally got onto the scoreboard, but three straight baskets by Amy Rodgers made it 20-2 after just five minutes.  The visitors battled back, with six of the next eight points, before a 6-3 spell gave Swifts a 30-15 first quarter advantage. A Rodgers three-pointer started a 7-0 run but Southend seemed to relax letting Brentwood back into the game as their Ellie Warden began to score close to the basket.  Solkhon was the only Swifts registering on the scorebook as the match seemed to have taken a surprising turn with the home side's lead just 43-31. 

However, whatever was said at half time had the desired effect.  A 5-2 run took the lead to 15, which was followed by three consecutive three-pointers, two from Samantha Toole, the other from Rodgers, and suddenly it was 63-37.  Swifts were playing superlative defence to keep Fire away from the basket whilst showing great speed of movement when they had the ball themselves.  With Lucy Lawless creating scoring opportunities for herself and Rodgers and Toole keeping the scoreboard moving, they racked up 33 points in the 10 minute period whilst conceding just eight to lead 76-39. Changes of personnel had little effect as Bethany Cooper had the first six points of the final quarter.  The defensive intensity certainly dropped but with Rodgers scoring at will, the offensive firepower continued.  Kate Livermore had the final six points as her team ran out deserved winners by 108 point to 58.  Rodgers again led the way with 40 points with Toole on 16, Cooper a career high 14 and Solkhon 13.

 

WOMENS UNDER 18 NATIONAL CUP QUARTER FINAL

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 50 HARINGEY ANGELS 62 

These perennial rivals met for the second time in seven days; this time in the quarter final of the National Cup.  Southend had recorded a 16 point victory the previous week so Haringey would certainly be looking for revenge.  

Defensive intensity was again to the fore as neither side were able to score in the first two minutes before Swifts captain Jennie Rodgers opened her teams account with four points.  Angels tied the game up and despite four points from Rosie Hynes the scores were level at eight after seven minutes.  A three-pointer from Hannah Culwick and another Rodgers basket took the gap to five before the visitors replied with the last score to trail 13-10 at the end of the opening 10 minutes. Katie Doubleday got Swifts straight into action in the second period with three quick points and an Emily Hankin 15 footer made it 18-10.  The London side replied with six straight and the teams traded baskets as Southend led just 23-21 after six minutes.  Suddenly the hosts really clicked into gear and they scored nine unanswered points to lead 32-21; Rodgers contributing five.  Haringey again hit back and a 6-2 spell for them made it 34-27 at the half time interval. 

A 6-0 run for Angels made it a one point game but a Doubleday three-pointer and a Hynes basket took the lead back to six.  The teams again traded scores but a 6-1 run over the final three minutes certainly transferred the momentum as Southend held a slender 44-42 lead going into the last quarter.Angels tied the game up before another Culwick three-pointer broke the deadlock.  Swifts suffered a major blow as Rodgers was very harshly adjudged to have recorded her fifth personal foul that meant she could take no further part in this game.  This certainly put Haringey in the ascendancy and they put on an excellent display of shooting from distance as they scored 18 of the final 21 points that left Southend on the end of a very disappointing 50-62 scoreline that puts them out of this season's cup competition.  Rodgers 12 and Hynes 11 the only players able to get into double figures.

 

GIRLS UNDER 16 NATIONAL CUP QUARTER FINAL

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 56  NOTTINGHAM WILDCATS 57 

After the disappointment of their under 18 team, it was for Southend Swifts under 16 girls team to attempt to reach the cup semi finals.  Their opponents would be Nottingham Wildcats, who have suffered just one defeat so far this season and have one of the tallest line-ups in the country.  Southend were looking to nurture captain Katie Holland through the contest; the youngster having suffered a thigh injury the previous day.  

Swifts made a disastrous start trailing 10-1 after five minutes as they failed to come to terms with Nottingham's very physical defence.  When they did get through, scoring chances were spurned and it looked like this would be a very difficult afternoon.  Holland and Beth Robson finally scored but Wildcats were well in control and at the end of the first quarter they led 16-7. The second period started little better as the Essex side had just a Robson three-pointer in the first four minutes whilst Nottingham had seven points.  Sophie Hankin finally began to get onto the scoresheet as she had six of her teams next seven points but the Midlanders composure kept them ahead to lead 35-22 going into the last minute.  However, another Holland basket and the most unlikely of fast break lay-ups from Hannah Gowland gave some semblance of hope as Swifts trailed 35-26 at half time. 

Scores from Holland and Stephanie Smith made it an 8-0 run but six straight for Wildcats made the lead double digit at 41-30.  Holland and Smith again combined for six unanswered points but the visitors re-took the initiative to finish with a 5-1 spell to lead 46-37 going into the final stanza. A three-pointer again took Nottingham clear but a 10-3 run, including an unlikely Smith three-pointer, made it 52-47 and the crowd getting extremely excited.  The teams split six points and with two minutes to play it was 55-50.  Wildcats had the first score but Holland, despite her obvious lack of mobility, and four from Hankin made it 57-56 with 15 seconds to play.  With the noise at an incredible crescendo Nottingham maintained possession before one of their players was fouled which gave her two foul shots with eight seconds left.  Unsurprisingly, with the incredible tension, both were missed but Wildcats took the rebound and they were able to keep possession to record victory in the most exciting of contests.  Holland and Hankin, both on 15, Smith 11 and Robson 10 had led the scoring in the kind of match that Swifts would like to play every week.

 

SATURDAY DECEMBER 5th

UNDER 16 GIRLS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

HOUNSLOW HAWKS 27  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 72

It was a girls only day for Southend Swifts with their three age group teams in action.  First up were the under 16s who are on an unbeaten runs of five games following two defeats in their first three outings.  They travelled to Hounslow Hawks, who are a new team to national league basketball, and have had a tough baptism with just one victory from nine games played.

 Whether it was the early morning tip-off or the cold gymnasium that affected their performance is unclear but Swifts made a very scrappy start scoring just once in the first three minutes.  However, led by Captain Katie Holland they showed some of their normal form, running in 13 unanswered points to lead 15-3 and maintained their momentum to hold a 20-5 first quarter advantage. Constant changes of personnel didn’t necessarily help with the overall rhythm but a three-pointer from Francesca Moody, just back from illness, and good work from Shannon Matthews, helped their team to extend the margin to 20 at 35-15 at the half time interval. 

In a subdued contest, runs of 7-2 and 8-2 further increased the lead as Southend tried various playing formations and with one period remaining it was 52-22.  Matthews and Gaby Freedman found their way to the basket and a Kiki Gilbert three-pointer took the lead close to 40.  Jess Holland was providing her normal energy and she had her team’s final two scores as Southend completed a 72-27 victory over very spirited opposition. Kate Holland with 17 points and sister Jess on11 led the scoring with 10 of the Swifts players on the score sheet.

 

UNDER 14 GILRS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

HOUNSLOW HAWKS 41  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 83 

After their under 16 colleagues’ success, it was the turn of Southend Swifts under 14 girls to take to the court when they too met Hounslow Hawks.  Southend held a two wins from three games record whilst Hounslow, who are new to the league, have one win from four contests.  

Swifts made a very fast start as Kate Livermore had the first two baskets that saw her team 10-0 ahead after three minutes.  After Hawks made one foul shot, the Essex side ran in the next 13 points to take a conclusive advantage at 23-1; Abbie Jones with five.  Four straight for Fay Solkhon helped her team to a 29-4 lead at the end of the first quarter. Hounslow showed their undoubted potential by scoring the first five points but good work from Jones and Samantha Toole gave Swifts back the initiative.  Scores from Bethany Cooper and the unusually subdued Amy Rodgers prevented the hosts getting back into the contest and at half time, the lead was 42-21 although Rodgers had been adjudged to have committed her fourth personal foul. 

With their captain remaining on the bench, it was for the other Swifts to step into the breach, which they did with great aplomb.  Solkhon controlled the tempo as well as scoring herself and with Jones and Cooper controlling the rebounds, the margin went above 30 as the young ladies showed their continuing maturity; the score at the end of three quarters standing at 60-27. To their great credit, Hounslow continued to battle but three successive baskets by Jones stopped their resurgence.  Rodgers finally reappeared with five minutes to play and she scored nine of her teams last eleven points as they recorded a very well-deserved 83-41 victory.  There were five Swifts players in double figures with the plaudits going to Abbie Jones with a career high 21 points.

 

UNDER 18 WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 71  HARINGEY ANGELS 55 

The final club game of the day was back at Eastwood High School when Southend Swifts under 18 girls met National Champions Haringey Angels.  The teams have had many titanic battles over the years, none more so that the overtime thriller at Haringey earlier in the season when the London side had a one-point victory after Swifts had led by five with two minutes remaining. 

Both teams made a scrappy start as defences held the upper hand.  In the first six minutes there were just 12 points scored as neither side could convert scoring opportunities.  Angels led 10-8 after eight minutes but a Swifts change of formation had the desired effect and they had the final nine points to lead 17-10 at the end of the first quarter; Christina Gaskin already with nine personal. As to be expected, Haringey hit back with the first six points of the second period but Southend captain Jennie Rodgers stemmed the tide with four of the next six points as the margin moved back to seven.  Gaskin was a tower of strength at both ends and she had seven of her teams’ next eight points as the lead became double digit at 32-21.  A foul shot from Molly Tappin made it a 12 point game but a three-pointer from Jay-Ann Harriott kept the visitors in the contest at 35-26 at the half time break. 

Angels started with the first three points but Gaskin and Rodgers would not back down and they shared the next eight points as the lead went to 43-32.  The final six minutes would be decisive as the intensity levels were raised further notches.  A Gaskin three-pointer was followed by an inside move and Rodgers went through a crowd to make it 51-34.  Haringey had the next four but Gaskin, Katie Doubleday and Katie Holland again got to the basket and with one stanza remaining it was an unlikely 57-38.

Swifts remember only too well Angels' ability to make a comeback.  Nerves appeared as they managed just one point in the first five minutes although their defence restricted the Londoners to just four points.  However, up stepped Rosie Hynes to make a three-pointer that took Southend to 61-42.  But to the astonishment of the crowd, Haringey had the next nine points and suddenly the margin was just 10 with three minutes to play.  But this Swifts team have two national championships behind them.  A Rodgers basket was followed by another Hynes three-pointer.  Angels scored again but a pair of Rodgers foul shots and a third three-pointer in the quarter from Hynes settled matters as Southend recorded an outstanding 71-55 victory that takes them to 2nd place in the league table.  Gaskin with 29 points, Rodgers 23 and Hynes 11 leading the scoring.   

 

SUNDAY DECEMBER 6th

UNDER 14 BOYSNATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 36  WORTHING THUNDER 99 

After the successes of the three girls’ teams the previous day, it was down to Southend Swifts three boys teams to see action as Eastwood High School staged home games for each of them.  First up were the under 14 boys, still seeking to break their duck in terms of results, but who are showing huge improvement each week. 

The opening minutes looked promising as Nathan Smith had three early points as Swifts led 5-4. However a run of 21 straight points took Thunder clear and they consolidated their advantage to lead 29-12 at the end of the opening quarter,  Fortunes were worse in the second period as Southend managed just four points against their opponents 22 to trail 51-16 at the half time interval. Worthing switched to a full court press in the third quarter and gained numerous turnovers despite some very spirited work from Perry Osbourne, who had six of Swifts’ ten points, as the margin increased to 88-26 with the final 10 minutes to come.  Thunder’s quest to reach the 100 mark was thwarted by some hard defensive work from Southend who actually shaded the final period but this could not prevent another tough loss by 99 points to 36, with Osbourne on 14 points and Smith with 11.

 

UNDER 16 BOYS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 61  OXFORD BROOKES EAGLES 76 

Next was the turn of Southend Swifts under 16 boys who met Oxford Brookes Eagles for the first time this season.  Southend went into the game with two wins from six games played whilst Oxford had three wins from their opening five games. 

Swifts made a strong start with captain Alex Gilbert scoring his team’s first six points but Oxford hit back to lead 10-6.  Graham Oluwadare made his presence felt around the basket as neither team could seize the initiative and at the end of the first quarter the visitors held a 16-13 lead. A three-pointer for Eagles looked set to take them clear but an 8-0 run for the hosts gave them a 21-19 advantage four minutes into the second period.  Oxford hit back well, with some excellent shooting from distance, and they re-took the lead at 30-27.   Oluwadare had the next three points to tie the game up before the visitors had the final basket to hold a narrow 32-30 advantage at the midway interval.

 Southend made a slow start to the third quarter as they conceded the first six points but a superb 13-4 run took them 43-42 ahead after six minutes and the crowd becoming very animated.  Eagles battled back to get their noses in front but good work from Jordan Smith, having his best Swifts game of the season, got it back level before Oxford just winning the period to lead 52-47 going into the final 10 minutes. Strong work from Oluwadare further reduced the deficit but an excellent 16-1 run gave Oxford the conclusive advantage.  Swifts continued to battle but there was no way back as they lost what had been an excellent contest by 76 points to 61.  Oluwadare with 28 points, Smith 13 and Gilbert 12 leading the scoring.

 

UNDER 18 MENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – EAST DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 74  IPSWICH TOMCATS 109 

The third of a series of tough home games for their boys’ teams saw Southend Swifts under 18 side take on top of the table Ipswich Tomcats at Eastwood High School.  The Suffolk outfit are unbeaten in five games whist Southend have suffered two defeats following victories in their opening three matches. 

A sloppy start saw Swifts trail 14-3 after just four minutes and matters got worse as they found themselves 26-10 down and the match effectively over after just eight minutes.  Thulani Sibanda seemed the only player to show any passion and his three-point play helped slightly reduce the deficit to 30-17 at the end of the first quarter. Tomcats displayed far greater desire in every aspect and they were scoring at will as the margin increased to 48-23   Sibanda was again the only player making any contribution and at half time the score stood at 62-31. 

However, the second half would at least see a more spirited effort.  Wilfred Mutero and Oliver Crussell began to find the basket and the score line was at least kept within respectability as Ipswich led 86-52 with one stanza remaining.  The rate of scoring from both teams perhaps belied a lack of defensive intensity as Tomcats recorded a well-deserved victory by 109 points to 74.  Sibanda 25 and Crussell 17 leading the scoring on a disappointing day.

 

SENIOR WOMENS NATIONAL TROPHY – QUARTER FINAL

SEVENOAKS SUNS 70  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 43 

When injuries, illness and other unavailabilities hit a team, it is very easy to seek a postponement or even default from a fixture and that was a decision that confronted Southend Swifts before their National Trophy quarter final at Sevenoaks.  Their decision, however, was easy; take the older players that were available and then take some of the much younger ones so that, at least, they could maintain the spirit of the game. 

A first quarter deficit of 23-1 perhaps indicated that it may have been the wrong decision but with Kate Holland managing to get to the basket Swifts actually shaded the second quarter to trail 35-15 at the half time break.  

The third period was rather more disappointing as Southend could manage just six points to trail 60-21 and a rout seeming to be the only outcome.  Sevenoaks came out in the fourth quarter determined to keep the young Swifts scoreless and for the first three minutes this seemed probable.  However, a time out produced a remarkable change in fortunes.  Holland hit a three-point shot and Hannah Culwick, who had a nightmare afternoon up to this juncture, converted another.  Sevenoaks replied with two points before came a most incredible sequence as Culwick scored four successive three points shots in just three minutes of play.  The Sevenoaks crowd, who had been very vociferous, suddenly became very quiet, as the all Essex based youngsters gave an incredible display of their skills.

The final result of 70-43 could easily have been 100-20 but that is the beauty of sport.  Holland with 18 points and Culwick 17, all in five minutes of play in the 4th quarter, had steered their very young team mates through a very daunting situation.

 

 

 

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 28

 

UNDER 14GIRLS  NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 92  IPSWICH BOBCATS 46

 On a quiet week for club games, Southend Swifts under 14 girls were first into action when they welcomed Ipswich Bobcats to Eastwood High School.  Southend had played just two games so far this season, with the last one six weeks previously, so knew they would be in for a tough battle against a team unbeaten in their three games so far. 

And so it proved as Swifts found themselves 10-6 down after six minutes as their normal cohesion was missing with foul shots and easy scoring chances spurned.  A time out was called and suddenly all the lights came on.  An 8-1 run got the lead and a Fay Solkhon three-pointer started another 10-0 stretch and from nowhere it was 24-11 at the end of the opening quarter; Amy Rodgers already with 13. With the bit between their teeth, Southend were in no mood to let up.  Superlative defensive work from Abbie Jones and Samantha Toole kept Bobcats tall players away from the basket as another 8-0 run made it 32-11 and a total turnaround in the team's fortunes.  Bethany Cooper and Lucy Lawless got themselves onto the scoresheet and with the irrepressible Rodgers scoring at will it was 39-12 after seven minutes.  Ipswich struck back with the next two baskets but despite some disappointing foul shooting (eight missed in the first half) an 8-2 spell gave the home side a 47-18 half time lead.

 

Having played such few games obviously fuelled the adrenaline as the young ladies maintained their work rate.  The backcourt duo of Rodgers and Solkhon completely controlled the tempo and with Jones, Toole and Kate Livermore making huge contributions it was 67-27 after seven minutes.  Swifts, as ever, were rotating their line-up with Chloe Bates particularly effective at the defensive end. The final quarter saw Rodgers sitting out as the younger players gained valuable playing time.  Both Deanna Blake and Chloe Spencer gave some inkling of their undoubted potential as they gave Jones and Toole a well-deserved rest.  Rodgers returned for the final four minutes and she calmly slotted home two three-pointers as part of a 15-7 finale that gave her side a well-deserved 92-46 victory against some very spirited and hard-working opposition.   

Rodgers ended with 42 points with Solkhon on 16 and Toole 14.

 

WOMENS SENIOR NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 41  SEVENOAKS SUNS II 84

Surprisingly the end of November saw Southend Swifts seniors first home game of the season having played three away matches so far.  But, for Southend, this was certainly not a senior fixture as a plethora of injuries, illness and unavailabilities meant it was almost an under 16 team that took to the court. 

Unsurprisingly it was never going to be a contest as Swifts found themselves 12-2 down after six minutes on the way to a 23-6 first quarter deficit.  Some good three-point shooting from Katie Holland and Hannah Culwick gave a little hope at 17-30 but that would be the closest as Suns lead mounted.  

It would be easy to say that this was very valuable experience at this level but this is not why Swifts enter the senior division.  The final score of 84-41 is hugely disappointing despite Holland's 18 points and 11 from Culwick.

 

UNDER 14 BOYS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

BRENTWOOD FIRE 143  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 54 

Southend Swifts’ youngest boys team continue to battle in what is undoubtedly the toughest under 14 league in the country.  They suffered another heavy defeat at the hands of Brentwood but this was, again, another spirited performance as new players start to make their mark.  

This week it was Eastwood High school pupil Perry Osbourne who featured with 29 points with 6’ 3” Nathan Smith again making telling contributions at both ends of the court.  With incredible determination from the whole squad, the elusive first victory cannot be too far away.

 

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 21st

UNDER 16 BOYS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

BADDOW EAGLES 61  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 52 

The latest round of league fixtures saw the two elder Southend Swifts boys teams make the relatively short journey to take on Baddow Eagles.  First into action were the under 16s who had two wins from their five games with Baddow with four wins from their five. 

Swifts captain Alex Gilbert again led by example with four of his team's first five points as they led by one.  The home side hit back with a 6-2 run and they maintained the initiative to lead 21-13 at the end of the opening quarter. The margin increased to double digits as Southend’s offence completely dried up.  They managed just five points in the period with the only saving grace that Eagles themselves were only able to score 11 which left the score at half time at 34-18. 

Swifts still could find little cohesion with just Gilbert and Graham Oluwadare finding the basket with any regularity.  A succession of three point shots from the home side enabled them to increase the lead to 49-24 before Oluwadare had three scores in a row but his team still trailed 52-34 going into the final 10 minutes. With Baddow running their bench, Southend finally came back into the fray with Gilbert and Ross Mann scoring well but it was never going to be enough as Baddow ran out deserved winners by 61 points to 52 with Gilbert on 21 and Oluwadare 19 leading the Swifts scoring.

 

UNDER 18 MENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – EAST DIVISION

BADDOW EAGLES 95  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 72

After the disappointing defeat of their under 16 side, it was the turn of Southend Swifts under 18s to look to get a victory at Baddow Eagles.  Both teams went into the fixture with three wins from four games played with Southend’s only loss by one point the previous week.  

Good shooting early on by Oliver Crussell put Swifts 7-4 ahead but 10 straight for Baddow gave them the initiative.  An Alex Smith three-pointer started a 7-0 reply that tied the game up but the home side had the final four points to lead 18-14 at the end of the first quarter. Eagles came out sharper but Crussell was in outstanding form and he had his teams first 13 points that kept the score at just 28-27.  The hosts again showed their resolve with a 10-3 stretch and they maintained the margin to lead 43-34 at the half time interval. 

The first five minutes of the third quarter would see the crucial passage of play as Baddow went on a 16-6 run that blew the game open at 59-40.  Swifts offensive normal fluency simply deserted them as the home side effectively ended the match as a contest as they led 66-41 going into the final quarter. Both sides simply treated themselves to a shooting spree in the 10 minutes recording 54 points between them.  Crussell scored four three-pointers on his way to a career high 44 points but it was never going to be enough as Swifts lost very disappointingly by 95 points to 72.

 

UNDER 16 GIRLS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 92  CHILTERN PUMAS 25

 With the senior womens game postponed, the final fixture of the day saw Southend Swifts under 16 girls team take on Chiltern Pumas on their home court at Eastwood High School.  Southend are currently in 4th place in the league table with five wins from seven games whilst Chiltern were still looking for their first win of the season having also played seven fixtures.  Swifts rested captain Katie Holland as well as missing Francesca Moody and Sarah Cozens.  

Pumas made a very good start that belied their league position as they trailed just 12-11 after six minutes and 14-13 after seven before Southend had the final eight points to lead 21-13 at the end of the first quarter; Sophie Hankin already with 12 points. But the second quarter would see an entirely different story.  Led by Hannah Gowland and 13 year old Amy Rodgers Swifts reeled off 25 points in a row that effectively settled the game.  Rodgers and Kiki Gilbert both scored three-pointers in the final minute as the home side led 52-19 at the midway interval. 

With a much more passive defence, the scoring subsided somewhat but six straight for Shannon Matthews and then seven for young Rodgers kept the scoreboard moving.  Some of the younger Swifts took the opportunity of playing at this level and under 14 Chloe Bates scored her first basket at this level. The elder players largely sat out the 4th quarter as Southend recorded a very good 92-25 win that moves them into 3rd place in the league table.  Rodgers with 35 points, Hankin 16 and Gowland and Matthews eight apiece leading the scoring.

 

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 22nd

UNDER 18 WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

BRIXTON TOPCATS 68  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 77

For their latest fixture, Southend Swifts under 18 girls ventured to South London to take on the surprise team in this season’s league, Brixton Topcats.  Brixton were sitting at the top of the table, having the notable scalps of Haringey and Sevenoaks, who had inflicted Southend’s only defeats so far.  Topcats had five wins from six games whilst Swifts had three wins from five.

The home team made by far the better start, scoring the first seven points, as Southend showed a complete lack of urgency.  A time-out seemed to remedy matters and positive work from Rosie Hynes and Katie Holland enabled Swifts to make a 12-4 run that gave them a narrow lead.  Some excellent shooting from distance got Brixton back into the game and at the end of the first quarter they led 24-16.

A 9-2 spell took the lead to 33-18 before the Essex side showed a little cohesion to reduce the margin back to 10 at 35-25.  But a purple patch for the hosts saw them go 11-3 to give them a 46-28 advantage and seemingly on their way to victory.  Going into the final seconds the margin was still 17 before a Hannah Culwick three-pointer gave some kind of hope as Swifts trailed 48-34 at half time.

Worse was to come as the Londoners had a 6-0 start to the third quarter that took them 20 ahead after three minutes.  Another Culwick three-pointer stemmed the tide and a three-point play from Christina Gaskin reduced the deficit to 15.  But Southend were spurning scoring chances they would normally score with ease and yet another Brixton three-pointer made it 60-46 with three minutes to play.  Swifts at least continued to battle and a 7-2 run left the scoreline at 62-53 going into the final stanza.

But whatever was said in that last break obviously had the desired effect.  From 66-55 down, Southend reeled off 15 straight points as their pressing defence brought continual rewards.  Hynes, Gaskin and Holland were able to convert off of steals and suddenly Brixton were chasing the game.  Topcats got it back to two but they could get no closer as Swifts showed a little of their true pedigree in closing out a perhaps slightly fortuitous victory by 77 points to 68.  Gaskin and Hynes both on 20 points and Holland 16 leading the scoring.

 

 

RESULT

U14 Boys        London Feltham  127   Southend Swifts  38

 

 

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14th

UNDER 16 BOYS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 60  BEDFORD KNIGHTS 69 

The first game of a hectic club weekend saw Southend Swifts under 16 boys welcome Bedford Knights to their home court at Eastwood High School.  Southend came into the game with two wins from four games whist Bedford had one victory from their three outings so far. 

Swifts captain Alex Gilbert led by example early on, scoring his team’s first seven points, and two baskets from Alistair Smith put the home side 11-8 ahead.  Knights hit back with the next five and the teams traded baskets for the visitors to lead 18-17 at the end of the opening quarter.  A 6-2 run took them five ahead but the hosts scored nine straight to lead 28-24 midway through the second period; Graham Oluwadare with six.  Bedford replied with a 16-3 spell of their own as Southend contrived to miss seven out of eight foul shot attempts.  An Alfie Garrard score and four points from Oluwadare helped to stem the tide and at the half time break Knights led by 42 points to 37. 

Swifts came out strongly scoring the first seven points to lead by two but six straight for Bedford gave them back the initiative.  Smith and Gilbert tied the game up but a 5-2 run made it 53-50 to Knights going into the final quarter. Just four Southend points in the first five minutes got the visitors 62-54 ahead and despite two baskets from Oluwadare, Swifts could get no closer as they fell to a disappointing 69-60 defeat; Oluwadare on 22 points, Gilbert 16 and Smith 15 leading the scoring.

 

UNDER 18 MENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – EAST DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 74  CAMBRIDGE CATS 75 

So after the disappointment of their under 16 team, it was the turn of Southend Swifts under 18 boys team to look for victory when they entertained Cambridge Cats.  Southend went into the game unbeaten in their three matches whist Cambridge had one win from their three outings.

Swifts started well with Oliver Crussell scoring from all angles.  From 9-6 after six minutes, the home side dominated, with Crussell scoring all nine points as his team led 18-8 after the opening 10 minutes. Southend maintained the double digit margin for the first three minutes before excellent shooting from Cambridge got them back into the game.  Eight straight for Wright made it 25-21 and despite another Crussell three-pointer the visitors were in the ascendancy although Swifts managed to hold on to a slender 36-33 half time lead. 

A 10-2 run gave Cats their first advantage at 43-38 but Alex Smith came to the fore getting to the basket three times as part of 10-6 run that got it back to just one point and a Crussell foul shot tied it up at 48.  Six straight for Cambridge’s Pledger got his team ahead again but Southend had the final three and going into the final quarter, Cambridge led 55-52. Wright again came to the fore with his team’s first seven points as they moved out to 62-56 but a Thulani Sibanda basket and another Crussell trey again reduced the deficit to just one.  A 6-2 stretch again gave Cambridge a narrow margin at 68-63 but seven straight for Swifts made it 70-68 with two minutes to play; Smith contributing five.  The teams traded two apiece before five in a row took Cambridge 75-72 ahead with one minute to go.  A long range shot failed to connect and although Smith found the basket his team could not recover possession and at the end of a pulsating contest Cambridge had won by 75 points to 74; Crussell with 28 and Smith 25 leading the scoring.

  

SENIOR WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

BRIGHTON AND SUSSEX STUDENTS 79  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 61 

A combination of illness, injury and unavailabilities meant it was a very disjointed Southend Swifts senior team that travelled down to take on Brighton and Sussex Students.  Southend were forced to take three members of their under 16 team, who themselves had a game, in order to be able to field a strong enough side. 

Swifts made the unlikeliest of starts, opening a 9-2 lead with Hannah Culwick scoring seven.  Brighton hit back with an 11-0 run and with five of the final eight points the home side led 18-12 at the end of the first quarter. Another Culwick three-pointer helped her team to a 6-2 spell that reduced the deficit to just two.  The Sussex side replied with the next seven but the young Southend side showed tremendous resolve.  Katie Doubleday and Katie Holland managed to get to the basket against taller and physically stronger opponents and late three-pointers from Holland and Stephanie Smith kept their team in the match; trailing just 36-32 at the half time interval. 

Another Holland three-pointer and a pair of Ella Rees foul shots made it a one point game before the home side hit 10 straight.  Three from Doubleday and another Culwick three-pointer kept the match alive and with one period remaining Brighton led 56-44. A further Culwick long-range effort gave some hope but an 8-2 run effectively ended matters.  Doubleday and Culwick again from three point land (the latter’s 5th of the day) kept the scoreboard moving but there just was not enough firepower as Swifts fell to a very creditable 77-61 defeat: Culwick with 20 points, Holland 19 and Doubleday 14.

 

UNDER 16 GIRLS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

BRENTWOOD FIRE 69  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 90 

So the last game of a very tough day, saw a very understaffed Southend Swifts under 16 girls team make the relatively short journey to take on Brentwood Fire.  Southend were missing five of their starting six players against a team with two wins from six games; Swifts with four wins from their six contests. 

Brentwood had the first three points but four points from Hannah Gowland settled her team.  The hosts led 7-4 before a stunning 19 straight points took Swifts clear; Sophie Hankin and Amy Rodgers sharing 16.  Fire hit back with the last six points as Southend held a 23-13 first quarter lead. From 27-16 Swifts seemed to lose concentration and six straight for the hosts made it just 27-22.  After trading scores, two baskets from Shannon Matthews and a further Gowland score took the margin out to 11 and the visitors hung on to lead 40-29 at the midway interval. 

Whatever was said in the break certainly had the desired effect.  Southend put on a stunning display over the next 10 minutes with 13 year old Rodgers to the fore.  The youngster, in her 4th season of club play, had no fewer than five three-point shots out of her team’s 31 points as they moved out to a commanding 71-47 lead with some outstanding all round play. Unsurprisingly the intensity dropped somewhat although Fay Solkhon and Kiki Gilbert found their range from distance as Swifts ended with a colossal 12 three-points shots in the match to record a very good 90-69 victory despite missing so many front line players.  Rodgers with 39 points (including eight three-pointers) and the tireless Sophie Hankin with 21 leading the scoring.

 

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15th

 UNDER 18 WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

CHILTERN PUMAS 36  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 69 

Looking to maintain third position in the very competitive South Division, Southend Swifts under 18 girls team travelled to Chiltern Pumas where they met the team currently at the bottom of the table and looking for their first win after five games. 

Southend took a narrow 6-4 lead after three minutes but then simply exploded into action, running in a startling 26 points without reply.  All five players got onto the scoresheet, with Katie Doubleday and Hannah Culwick scoring two three-pointers apiece and Jennie Rodgers picking up numerous steals; the lead at the end of the first quarter standing at 32-4.  The first five minutes of the second quarter was more subdued with no pressure defence but Swifts managed a further 8-0 run to lead 40-4 and the game effectively over.  Pumas continued to play hard and they managed two three-point shots of their own to trail 47-12 at the half time interval. 

A three-point play from Emma Scudder started another 7-0 run but unsurprisingly the intensity was gone.  Southend managed just 11 points in the quarter as the lead barely increased to 58-21.  Chiltern had their best spell, putting in a 10-3 spell with just a Swifts three-pointer from 13 year old Amy Rodgers but the damage had been done in the first 15 minutes as Southend ended with a comfortable 69-36 win with Jennie Rodgers on 18 points, Hannah Culwick on 17 and Katie Doubleday with 12.

Other results  

Boys under 16 national cup – Ipswich Bobcats 84  Southend Swifts 46 

Boys under 14 national league - Southend Swifts 11  Ipswich Bobcats 167 

 

 

 

 

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7th  

UNDER 16 GIRLS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 73  COLCHESTER JAMMERS 46

After three victories in succession, Southend Swifts under 16 girls team looked to continue their run when they welcomed Colchester Jammers to Eastwood High School. The North Essex side have made a very good start to the season, with four wins from five games, whilst Swifts had three wins from five, so a tough battle was expected to ensue.

And so it seemed as Jammers scored the first five points of the contest keeping the home side scoreless for the first three minutes with a very tight defensive formation.  But a basket from Katie Holland and five points from Sophie Hankin took the home side ahead.  Colchester tied the game up at 7 before six straight for Hankin gave her team their first meaningful advantage.  The visitors got the deficit back to one but a 7-0 run, ended by a Beth Robson three-pointer, helped Southend to a 24-13 first quarter lead. Four unanswered points for Jammers reduced the margin to seven but a change of defensive formation for Swifts had a devastating effect.  Over the remaining seven minutes of the second period they outscored their opponents by 16 points to 2, as they finally produced some fluency in their play.  The lead at half time standing at 42-19. 

A Francesca Moody three-pointer, her second of the game, should have been the springboard for a very comfortable home win as her team moved out to 51-20 and from a dazzling assist by Gaby Freedman, a Hannah Gowland score made it 53-22.  Colchester showed great resolve as they scored six straight points but this seemed to galvanise Swifts into action and led by Hankin and Amy Rodgers the lead increased to 62-28 before being pegged back to 62-32 with one quarter remaining. Seven points from the strangely subdued Holland and a Lauren Tate basket made it 69-34 but the final five minutes would belong to Jammers as they played right out to the end scoring the final eight points of the contest which ended in a seemingly comfortable 73-46 win that really flattered Swifts in terms of their overall performance.  Hankin with 31 points, Moody 12 and Robson 11 leading the scoring.

 

UNDER 18 WOMENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 82  WANDSWORTH STING 65 

The second game of a fairly quiet club day saw Southend Swifts under 18 girls continue their league campaign when Wandsworth Sting were the visitors to Eastwood High School.  Southend had just one win from three games played whilst Wandsworth are one and one from their two opening fixtures.  The hosts were missing a number of regular players and had Molly Tappin making her debut in her first-ever basketball match. 

Swifts made a good start, opening a 7-3 lead behind some excellent foul shooting from Katie Doubleday, and they maintained the margin at 12-8.  Seven unanswered points, triggered by a Hannah Culwick three-pointer, should have been the starting point for a reasonably comfortable win but Sting are made of sterner stuff and they put together a 6-2 spell to trail just 21-14 at the end of the first period. Six straight for the Londoners made it a one point game but six in a row for Swifts captain Jennie Rodgers kept her team ahead.  Wandsworth hit back with the next five before a 12-2 run gave Swifts their first double digit lead at 39-27; Culwick contributing 10 including back-to-back three-pointers.  The teams traded baskets for the final two minutes which saw Southend lead 43-31 at the midway interval. 

Further three-pointers from Culwick and Doubleday enabled the margin to be maintained and when the former hit six in an 8-2 spell, the score stood at 57-40.  Wandsworth were certainly not finished and they had the next seven to make it a 10 point game.  But Southend, and Culwick in particular, would not be denied and she again hit successive threes that helped her team to a 63-48 lead going into the final stanza. After an Emily Robson basket, Sting made the next five before another Culwick long-range bomb restored the 15 point margin.  The visitors replied with the next six points and with three minutes to play, it was game on at 68-59.  But this Swifts team has been in similar positions before and with Doubleday, Rodgers and the inevitable Culwick taking matters in hand the lead was back to 78-65.  All that remained was to see whether the debutante Miss Tappin could get onto the scoresheet and from a long pass, she duly obliged with 30 seconds remaining to send the Essex contingent home happy. 

Doubleday with 20 points and Rodgers 12 had played major roles but Hannah Culwick with a career high 36 points including seven three-point shots took the honours on the day.  

 

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 8th

UNDER 18 MENS NATIONAL LEAGUE – EAST DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 84  ESSEX PIRATES 57 

After the success of the girls teams the previous day, it was the turn of the Southend Swifts under 18 and under 16 boys teams to continue the league action with both teams meeting Essex Pirates on their home court at Eastwood High School.  Southend had wins in both of their games so far whilst Pirates have had two narrow defeats in their three matches to date. 

Swifts started well, taking a 9-4 lead after three minutes and five points from Wilfred Mutero helped his team to a 16-8 advantage.  The visitors hit back with an 8-0 run before a late Alex Smith basket gave the hosts a very narrow 18-16 first quarter lead. The teams traded scores at the start of the second period with Southend showing some uncharacteristic reluctance to attack their opponent’s basket.  Some good three-point shooting from Pirates gave them the initiative and a late 6-2 spell took them to a 35-32 half time lead. 

The margin remained at three before six straight for Swifts took them 43-39 ahead.  Pirates tied it up again at 45 before a sensational period of four minutes saw the home side put together a 17-5 run that broke the game open with all five players on court making telling contributions. A Smith three-pointer kept up the momentum as Southend’s outstanding defence kept Essex to just three points in six minutes as the team safely negotiated the final quarter to record an excellent 85-57 win which had seen a 30 point turnaround in the second half,  Oliver Crussell with 20 points and Alex Smith on 17 leading the scoring.

 

UNDER 16 BOYS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 69  ESSEX PIRATES 51 

The final game of the weekend saw Southend Swifts under 16 boys team look to emulate their under 18 colleagues when they also took on Essex Pirates at their home court at Eastwood High School.  Southend had one win from three games whilst Pirates were still seeking their first victory of the season.  Southend went into the match missing captain Alex Gilbert and the injured Charlie Medina-Smith.  

Pirates made a strong start, opening a 9-2 lead, as Swifts struggled to show any cohesion.  The margin increased to 16-7 but good work from Alistair Smith in particular got the hosts back into the game and at the end of the first quarter the deficit was just three at 16-13. The teams swapped scores before a three-point shot from George Cassidy brought Southend level at 21 midway through the second quarter.  This seemed to inspire the home side and an 8-4 run, with six from Graham Oluwadare, took them four ahead and they just clung on to their lead at 32-29 at half time. 

When Pirates scored the first four points it looked like the game would be a nail biter but a 9-0 run, with four from Oluwadare and three from David Goates, took Southend eight ahead.  Oluwadare was dominating around the basket and a basket from Ross Mann gave Swifts a 48-41 lead going into the final quarter; nowhere near enough to feel comfortable. Alfie Garrard was playing superb defence for Swifts and this gave the tireless Smith the opportunity of initiating fast breaks.  Oluwadare and Mann were grateful recipients of some outstanding passes and suddenly the lead was double digit; Mann pouring in seven straight.  The defensive effort was magnificent as Pirates were restricted to just two points in the final six minutes that saw Southend record an unexpectedly comfortable win by 69 points to 51.  Oluwadare with 26 points and Mann and Smith both on 12 leading a truly valiant team performance.

 

SATURDAY OCTOBER 31st

UNDER 16 GIRLS NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH DIVISION

IPSWICH BOBCATS 1 65  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 84 

For the second week in succession, Southend Swifts under 16 girls found themselves taking on Ipswich Bobcats in their latest league fixture.  This time they would meet the Suffolk club's first team, who have made an excellent start to the season with a 100% record from their first three games; Southend have had a slightly indifferent opening to the current campaign with two wins from four games. 

Swifts made a good start with captain Katie Holland scoring the first two baskets and they maintained their superiority with a 5-1 run that gave them an early eight point advantage.  Ipswich came back with the next four points but good work from Sophie Hankin and Stephanie Smith took the visitors 15-6 ahead after six minutes.  Southend's normally aggressive defence was being restricted by some fairly zealous officiating but four points from Francesca Moody and further points from Hankin and Holland helped the Essex side to a 22-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. Some excellent shooting from the rapidly improving Lauren Tate helped Southend extend their margin back to double digits and with Holland finding her range from distance, the gap moved out to 39-22.  Swifts took the opportunity of rotating their line-up and 13 year old Fay Solkhon seized her opportunity with two three-pointers in a row and with Moody following suit the lead at half time was 53-30. 

As to be expected Bobcats came fighting back in front of their very partisan supporters.  They upped their defensive intensity, which at least stopped Swifts expending their lead.  Hankin collected her 4th and 5th personal fouls midway through the third quarter, which certainly gave the home side a height advantage, but good work from Smith and Hannah Gowland prevented them from making inroads into the deficit; four late points from Holland keeping her team 72-47 ahead with one period remaining. From 79-50 down after four minutes, the home side had their best spell as they scored 13 unanswered points.  But they would get no closer as scores from Solkhon and Moody in the last minute took their team to a very hard fought 84-65 win.  Holland with 28 points, Moody 12 and Hankin 11 leading the way.  

 

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 1st

UNDER 18 MENS NATIONAL LEAGUE - EAST CONFERENCE

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 102  COLLEGE OF WEST ANGLIA FURY 50 

After a heavy first round National Cup defeat, Southend Swifts under 18 boys team were back in league action when they welcomed the College of East Anglia Fury to their home court at Eastwood High School.  Southend had a win in their only league game so far whilst Fury were seeking their first victory after two defeats.  

Swifts made an excellent start as they kept the visitors scoreless for the first five minutes whilst registering 12 for themselves; Alex Smith with two three-pointers out of eight points personal. The Kings Lynn side hit back with the next six but a 9-2 run for the hosts took them 21-6 ahead; Oliver Crussell contributing six.  Smith again found his range from distance and at the end of the first quarter Southend's lead was 26-10. There was no letup from the Essex side as two three-pointers from Crussell further extended the margin.  Thulani Sibanda was finding his way to the basket despite Fury's tight zone defence and with Wilfred Mutero directing operation, the lead had increased to 48-21 at the half time interval. 

A slightly more subdued third quarter saw the scoring spread between the three main players.  Sibanda helped himself to nine points as the gap extended to 68-30 with the final 10 minutes to play.  And in that time, the home side gave an excellent display of all-round basketball.  Sibanda had 11 of the first 13 points before 4 straight for Crussell made it 88-41 after six minutes.  The final minutes saw four three-pointers converted as the team ran out comfortable victors by 102 points to 50; Crussell leading the scoring with 28 points with Sibanda and Smith both on 27.

 

UNDER 16 BOYS NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH CONFERENCE

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 82  LONDON SPARTANS 52 

The final game of a truncated weekend saw Southend Swifts under 16 boys in action at home to London Spartans - two club games, the senior women and the under 14 boys, having been postponed due to illness and injuries with their opponents.  Southend came into the game off of a very good cup win the previous week. 

Swifts made a superb start, scoring the first 16 points as they kept Spartans scoreless for the first five minutes.  The scoring was spread around all of the players, with Graham Oluwadare, David Goates, Charlie Medina-Smith and Alex Gilbert all on the scoresheet.  The dominance continued throughout the period and after the opening 10 minutes the lead was 24-7. Six points in the first two minutes strengthened the position, with the quickly improving George Cassidy contributing four, and with Oluwadare again dominating around the basket the visitors were restricted to just four points in the second quarter as Swifts held a commanding 47-11 half time lead: Oluwadare already with 25 points. 

Unsurprisingly the intensity dropped in the third period although six points from Alfie Garrard actually helped Swifts to further extend the margin to 68-23 going into the final stanza.  The hosts allowed all of their players extended playing time and the London side took full advantage as they had their best spell with runs of 9, 6 and 6 that gave the final result an air of respectability as Southend ran out winners by 82 points to 52.  Oluwadare with 31 points, Gilbert 22 in just 25 minutes and Cassidy 10 leading the scoring.

 

SATURDAY OCTOBER 24th

 

UNDER 16 BOYS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH CONFERENCE
 

ISLINGTON PANTHERS 77  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 38

For the second week running Southend Swifts under 16 boys encountered a very athletic team from
London when they travelled to take on Islington Panthers.  The teams had had very competitive games in the past and expected something similar again.

Southend made a good start, leading 5-4 after six minutes as both sides struggled to make an impact.  But the North Londoners had the better of the opening period as a 7-2 run took them 11-7 ahead at the end of the first quarter. A further 8-0 run took Panthers further ahead before good work from Graham Oluwadare and Alex Gilbert reduced the deficit to just 21-27 with two minutes to play before a catalogue of errors allowed Panthers to make a 14-1 run to lead 42-22 at the half time interval.

Five straight points for the hosts effectively ended the contest but Southend hit back with a 13-4 run with Gilbert scoring two three-point shots in the spell to trail by a seemingly respectable 34-51 with one quarter remaining. But the final 10 minutes would be one-way traffic as Islington stamped their authority on the game to get a very well-deserved 77-38 win.  For Swifts Gilbert with 13 points and Oluwadare 11 led the scoring.

 

UNDER 14 GIRLS NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION


SOUTHEND SWIFTS 128  IPSWICH BOBCATS 2 40


After three very tough fixtures, Southend Swifts under 16 girls had another potentially difficult game when they welcomed Ipswich Bobcats second team to their Eastwood High School home court.  The Suffolk team have made a very good start to the season with two wins from their three games, whilst Southend had just one win from the same number of fixtures.  The hosts were without captain Katie Holland, her sister Jess and Francesca Moody, who were on duty with the senior team, which certainly increased the concerns about the outcome of the match.

But the opening six minutes would see Southend make a dazzling start as they recorded the first 22 points with stunning display of all action basketball.  Tenacious defence was turned into very rapid attack with all five starting players making major contributions; the lead standing at 36-8 at the end of the first quarter. As is their way in situations such as this, Southend had already taken off their pressing defence and were now constantly changing their line-up, which included a number of under 14 players.  This allowed Bobcats to make a much better showing as the second quarter was a much closer affair with Southend’s lead standing at 54-23 at the half time interval.

As if looking to get the frustrations of recent weeks out of their systems, Swifts stretched themselves a little more in the third period, going on a 17-2 run in the first five minutes before again changing their line-up allowing all of their players into the fray.  A closing spell of 12-2 took them to 89-32 going into the final stanza. There was certainly no pressing defence being utilised but Swifts still put together a 19-1 run in the first four minutes as interceptions were turned into fast breaks and the team managed a remarkable 39 points in the final period to record a very good 128-40 victory. 

What was even more impressive was that no less than five players had their best-ever scoring performance at this level; Beth Robson on 29, Hannah Gowland 18, Shannon Matthews and Lauren Tate both on 16 and Gaby Freedman with nine alongside Sophie Hankin with 19; a great all round performance.

 

WOMENS SENIOR NATIONAL LEAGUE – DIVISION 2 MIDLANDS AND SOUTH EAST


HINCKLEY AND BOSWORTH LADY HOOPS 70  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 85


Southend Swifts eldest national league team, the senior women, finally got their season underway when they made the journey to Leicestershire to take on Hinckley and Bosworth Ladyhoops.  The Midland side are new to the senior division this season and were narrowly beaten in their opening fixture.  Southend were missing a number of players and drafted in under 16s Francesca Moody and Kate and Jess Holland despite their own team having a fixture on the same day.

Hinckley made the better start, scoring the first four points of the contest, but Swifts replied with 11 straight including two Hannah Culwick three-pointers.  The hosts hit back with a three-pointer of their own before an 8-2 run for Southend took them 20-9 ahead and seemingly on their way to a comfortable victory.  But the home side hit back strongly with an 11-4 stretch to trail just 20-24 at the end of the first quarter.

The start of the second quarter saw 15 year old Katie Holland show her maturity as she contributed seven in a 14-4 spell that took Swifts 38-24 ahead.  But inspired by their Lithuanian international Vaiva Beniusyte, Hinckley again showed their resolve and with eight unanswered points they reduced the deficit to just six at 40-34.  Holland, however, had other ideas and she had her team’s next eight points before a further Culwick three-pointer just before the half time buzzer saw Southend with a 51-39 midway lead.

Not for the first time, the start of the third quarter threatened to be Swifts downfall as they managed just two points as their opponents scored 12 of their own and suddenly it was a two point game at 51-53.  But this time it was the Essex side who would re-group and a 12-4 saw them go into the final quarter with a 10 point lead.

The first four minutes would be conclusive as the unusually quiet Jennie Rodgers began to find the basket that helped her team score 13 unanswered points to lead by 21. 
Hinckley continued to battle but it was to no avail as Southend ran out not entirely convincing winners by 85 points to 70.  Holland with 31 points, Culwick 25 and Rodgers 15 leading the scoring.

 

SUNDAY OCTOBER 25th

BOYS UNDER 16 NATIONAL CUP - 1ST ROUND
ESSEX PIRATES 59  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 67
 
After a tough league defeat the previous day, Southend Swifts under 16 boys team went into their first round National Cup match against Essex Pirates with some apprehension.  Southend were missing captain Alex Gilbert, David Goates and George Cassidy, who were all unavailable, and with Ross Mann crying off with illness on the morning of the match, the omens did not look good.
 
An Alistair Smith basket settled the nerves but 5 points for Pirates took them ahead.  Swifts Graham Oluwadare was dominating around the basket and he had six in an 8-2 run that took his team two ahead.  The defence was holding strong and two more Oluwadare scores gave his team a 15-10 first quarter lead; the Cornelius Vermuyden pupil already with 9 rebounds.
 
Five straight for Pirates got them back into the game but Oluwadare had a similar amount personal and an Alfie Garrard basket in just his second game for the club helped the team to a decisive 30-19 lead before the home side had the last seven points to trail 30-26 at the half time interval.
 
A Jack Adams score and six more for Oluwadare took Southend 38-32 ahead midway through the third period but they could not get clear with Garrard's two foul shots maintaining a slender 46-41 lead going into the final quarter.  A 10-1 run took the home side 51-47 ahead and seemingly on their way to the win but the Swifts boys showed their incredible determination.  Six straight took back the initiative and after Pirates drew level 10 straight points took Southend 62-53 ahead with two minutes remaining.  The foul shooting stayed strong during the very long 120 seconds as Smith made the final two to record an outstanding 67-59 victory.
 
Garrard on 13 points and Smith 10 had made huge contributions but Oluwadare had by far his best-ever performance for the club with 38 points and 29 rebounds.
 
WOMENS NATIONAL TROPHY - 2ND ROUND
HINCKLEY AND BOSWORTH LADYHOOPS 59  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 62
 
Southend Swifts senior womens team had their second outing against Hinckley and Bosworth Ladyhoops in successive days with a National Trophy encounter.  This is a competition for all womens teams other than those playing in National League division 1.
 
Whether the extra hour in bed had disorientated Southend, they were certainly very slow out of the blocks as they had just two points in the opening five minutes.  A change of defensive formation seemed to stir them as scores from Francesca Moody and Emily Hankin brought them back level.  After the reasonably comfortable Swifts win the previous day, Hinckley's tactics were to stop the Katie Holland who had scored 31 points.  This they largely achieved in the opening quarter which ended with the teams tied at 12.
 
Southend finally seemed to have broken out of their slumbers with a 10-2 spell, with four points from Jennie Rodgers, and a 7-1 spell made it 29-15 and what really should have been a comfortable victory.  But the hosts showed their resolve and from 32-21 down they put together an 8-2 spell to trail just 34-29 at the half time interval.
 
Their dominance continued and eight unanswered points gave Ladyhoops a 37-34 lead; a huge turnaround in fortunes.  Scores from Hannah Culwick and Holland took Southend ahead but the teams were trading baskets and with the final 10 minute to come, Swifts led 49-47.
 
A 6-2 spell again gave Hinckley the lead but seven straight for Swifts got them five ahead.  The nerves were very frayed over the last four minutes with neither team showing too much cohesion.  Two baskets from Holland just kept her team ahead and on the final buzzer it was Southend who had taken the tie with a 62-59 victory; Culwick 16 points, Holland 14, Rodgers 13 and Hankin 10 leading the scoring.
 
BOYS UNDER 18 NATIONAL CUP - 1ST ROUND
SOUTHEND SWIFTS 62  MILTON KEYNES LIONS 108
 
So the final game of a very hectic club weekend saw Southend Swifts under 18 boys team take on Milton Keynes Lions in a first round National Cup tie at Eastwood High School.  Lions are in the South Premier division, one rung above Southend, so a very tough battle had to be expected.
 
The visitors came out strongly, taking a 13-7 lead, but Swifts came back well and an Alex Smith basket and an Oliver Crussell three-pointer reduced the deficit to just one at 12-13.  Milton Keynes responded with eight straight and at the end of the first quarter they led 21-12.
 
A barrage of three-pointers enforced their dominance and suddenly it was 33-12.  Alex Gilbert was the only Swifts who could score and he had eight points as his team reduced the margin to 21-39.  But an 8-2 spell got the Midland side back into dominance and at half time they led 47-23.
 
The third period was very much free-flowing basketball as both teams looked to rack up the points.  Smith was leading the team by example but Lions greater experience enabled them to extend their lead and with one stanza remaining, they led 75-42.  The final 10 minutes was largely the same and for Swifts it was certainly a lesson in where they need to be aiming.  The 108-62 final margin may have been slightly flattering but Milton keynes fully deserved their victory.  For Swifts Smith on 22 points led the way but there will be more wins than losses for this team this season.
 

SATURDAY OCTOBER 17TH

 

GIRLS UNDER 16 NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH CONFERENCE

HARINGEY ANGELS 63  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 58 

For their third game of the season, Southend Swifts under 16 had potentially their hardest match when they travelled to Haringey Angels to take on the team that had conquered all at under 14 level last year.  Southend were coming in off the back of a convincing win the previous week, but knew they would have to be at their best to record a victory. 

Swifts came out strongly and opened an 8-2 lead, with some excellent defensive work from Hannah Gowland.  An Angels time-out certainly had the desired effect for them and they put together a 10-2 run that opened a narrow 12-10 lead at the end of the opening quarter.  The barrage continued at the start of the second period as the home side scored 10 unanswered points to open a double digit advantage before baskets from Shannon Matthews, Sarah Cozens and Katie Holland at least stemmed the tide.  Two three-pointers for Haringey gave them the initiative again as they ended the half with 10 unanswered points to hold a convincing 40-19 lead. 

But whatever was said in the midway break slowly began to have the desired effect for the Essex side.  Led by Holland and Sophie Hankin, Swifts began to make inroads into the deficit and a 9-3 spell at the end of the period saw the scoreline stand at 52-37 going into the last quarter; Holland with 11 in the quarter. An 8-3 stretch saw Haringey restore the 20 point margin but once again, inspired by captain Holland, Southend came back into the game.  11 straight points made it a 9 point game and a 4-2 run reduced the deficit to just 7.  Nerves set in as Angels managed just one point from four foul shot attempts but despite a Holland three-pointer almost from the half way line as time expired Swifts could not get in front as they lost a very good contest by 63 points to 58.  Another strong performance from Holland with 31 points followed by Hankin on 10 but how the team must regret their first half performance.

 

BOYS UNDER 14 NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH CONFERENCE

NEWHAM ACADEMY 145  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 13 

Once again Southend Swifts under 14 boys fell to a very heavy defeat against a team with far greater experience and whose pressing defence gave the very young Swifts team no respite throughout the 40 minutes.  It was, however, another spirited performance with all 10 players gaining huge experience despite the size of the losing margin

 

WOMENS UNDER 18 NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH CONFERENCE

HARINGEY ANGELS 63  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 62 (after extra time) 

So after the disappointment of their under 16 colleagues, it was left to Southend Swifts under 18 girls to get the club's first win of the weekend when they too met Haringey Angels.  Southend had Hannah Culwick and Rosie Hynes back in the team after injury.  

Both teams made a tentative start with the score at just 8-7 to the home side after five minutes as defences were to the fore.  Haringey made the first real move, putting together an 11-6 run, before a three-point play from Christina Gaskin reduced the deficit to 17-14 at the end of the first quarter. Five straight points for Swifts took them 19-17 ahead but Angels hit back with four unanswered.  Two baskets from Ellie Shaxon got the visitors just in front and the teams traded scores for the rest of the quarter with a Hannah Culwick three-pointer tying the game up at 28 all at the half time interval. 

The opening salvos of the third period were again tense as Haringey got out to a 35-32 lead before four straight gave Southend a one point lead at 36-35.  But despite a Gaskin three-pointer, the London side finished stronger to lead 43-39 going into the final stanza.     A catalogue of poor decisions looked to have cost Swifts dearly as a 10-5 spell took the hosts 53-44 ahead with six minutes remaining.  But tenacity is never lacking and six straight points made it a three-point game despite some unusually poor foul shooting; Swifts suffering a blow in losing Gaskin to 5 personal fouls.  With the crowd noise rising, Haringey had the next score so with 90 seconds remaining it was 55-50.  Jennie Rogers got to the basket for two and a Hannah Culwick foul shot made it 55-53 with 15 seconds remaining.  A steal got the ball to Shaxon and she calmly fed Rodgers for the basket that left the game tied at 55 all at the end of regulation time and a 5 minute period of overtime to play. 

A Rodgers basket took Swifts ahead before Angels replied with one foul shot.  Rodgers was adjudged to have committed her 5th foul but a basket and a foul shot from Katie Doubleday took Southend four up with two minutes to play.  But nerves got the better of them as they turned the ball over three times to give Angels seven points to lead 63-60.  A Shaxon basket was just not enough as Angels won an incredibly exciting contest 63-62.  Gaskin 18, Rodgers 17 and Shaxon 10 led the scoring but Swifts will obviously rue their 17 missed foul shots that were crucial on the day.  

 

SUNDAY OCTOBER 18th

BOYS UNDER 16 NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH CONFERENCE
 

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 66  HARINGEY BOROUGH 76

After three weeks of watching the other club teams in action, Southend Swifts under 16 boys team finally got their 2009/10 season under way when they welcomed Haringey Borough to their home court at Eastwood High School.  The squad have trained hard during the summer and despite some relative inexperience at this level are hopeful of continuing their progress.

Southend made an excellent start as captain Alex Gilbert fought his way to the basket, scoring his team’s first seven points as they opened a 7-3 lead after five minutes.  Haringey hit back with a 7-2 run but 5 straight for Alistair Smith put the home side 14-12 ahead.  Borough came back with a 6-2 spell of their own and at the end of a very lively opening 10 minutes, they led 18-16.

Swifts narrowed the gap to just one before the visitors made what would turn out to be the crucial break.  They scored 12 unanswered points in a four minute spell that took them 13 ahead as their athleticism took them to the fore.  But the home side hit back, with Ross Mann showing his vast improvement, as they put together a 9-2 run that reduced the deficit to just 36-30 at the half time interval.

Smith, Mann and David Goates all found the basket early on as the gap reduced to just four but some excellent work from Haringey’s N’Gon and Idaposa restored the margin out to 10.  Swifts Graham Oluwadare was outrebounding the opposition at both ends of the court but simply had no luck with his shooting as the visitors moved out to 57-41. Swifts introduced Charles Culwick into the play and to the delight of the spectators, the Cedar Hall pupil hit a huge three-point shot as time expired at the end of the third quarter to give his team some renewed hope of victory.

Five straight for Borough took the lead back to 18, but a 10-0 run increased the excitement; Gilbert and debutant Charlie Medina-Smith sharing the points.  But the visitors maintained their composure and another three-pointer from N’Gon took them 71-57 ahead.  Six straight for Swifts gave some sign of hope, but they could get no closer as Haringey ended deserved winners by 76 points to 66, in a very good contest.

Gilbert 24 points, and Mann and Oluwadare both with 10 led the scoring on a very promising opening performance for the team.

 

BOYS UNDER 18 NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH CONFERENCE
 

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 69  ESSEX LEOPARDS 51

After a tough sequence of matches for the club, it was up to Southend Swifts under 18 boys team to get the first win of the weekend when they played their opening game of the season at Eastwood High School.  Their opponents were Essex Leopards, who are generally very strong at this age level.

Southend started well, as three-pointers from Oliver Crussell and Wilfred Mutero were part of a 9-0 run and five straight for Alex Smith took the hosts 14-4 ahead.  Leopards hit back with 8 unanswered and there was nothing in it at the end of the first quarter with Swifts holding a 16-14 lead.

But the home side were determined to make their mark straight away and excellent shooting from Crussell and Smith put them 27-20 ahead.  Outstanding defence was keeping the visitors at bay and with Thulani Sibanda and Daniel Eagling also finding the basket a 12-2 run in the final four minutes gave Swifts a 40-26 lead at the half time interval.

There was no sign of complacency as the defensive intensity continued.  Smith, despite taking two nasty blows to the face, was controlling proceedings and with Crussell and Sibanda keeping the score board moving, the margin was maintained.  The visitors had four straight before Swifts ended the 3rd period with a 6-0 run to lead 58-39 going into the final stanza,

Another Crussell three-pointer, his fifth of the afternoon, took the lead over 20 and despite some poor foul shooting from Southend they remained in control to win a well fought game by 69 points to 51.  Crussell 22, Smith 17 and Sibanda 12 leading the scoring.

 

GIRLS UNDER 14 NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH CONFERENCE
 

NORFOLK ICENI 52  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 96

The final game of a hectic club weekend saw Southend Swifts under 14 girls team make their longest league journey when the travelled to Norwich to take on Norfolk Iceni.  Southend gave league debuts to 12 year old Chloe Spencer and 10 year old Grace Livermore.

After the disappointment of defeat the previous week, Swifts were determined to get back on the winning trail and they scored the first 21 points of the game that effectively ended proceedings.  But unlike so many other teams, particularly at the younger boys levels, -they had no intention of inflicting humiliation on their opponents.  The defence became much more passive and all of the younger and much less experienced players had the opportunity of valuable court time.

The lead at the end of the first quarter was 31-6 but Norfolk played some very good basketball in the 2nd period to reduce the deficit to 43-27 at half time.  Swifts restored matters at the start of the third quarter with a 14-2 run which they extended to 69-35 despite constant changes of personnel.

To the delight of the crowd the very diminutive Miss Livermore scored her first basket in the National League as Southend ended up 96-52 victors in a very pleasing all round performance; Fay Solkhon with 23 points, Amy Rodgers 2, and Bethany Cooper 16 leading the scoring.

 

 

 

 

 

SATURDAY OCTOBER 10th

 

UNDER 18 WOMEN'S NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH CONFERENCE

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 58  SEVENOAKS SUNS 67 

After a hard earned win the previous week, Southend Swifts under 18 girls were in home action when they welcomed Sevenoaks Suns to their court at Eastwood High School.  Southend were once again below full strength, with Hannah Culwick and Rosie Hynes out through injury. 

The visitors made the better start, opening a 6-2 lead aided by some excellent foul shooting.  Christina Gaskin, making her first competitive appearance for Swifts in 15 months, replied with four foul shots of her own and after five minutes it was just 6 points all.  The introduction of Beth Robson gave the hosts an energy boost and the 14 year old ignited the crowd with a three-pointer to take her team ahead.  A Robson foul shot took Swifts 12-9 ahead before Sevenoaks had their best spell of the match with a 10-0 run that gave them a seven point advantage.  Four foul shots from Emily Hankin stemmed the tide and at the end of a very exciting first quarter Suns lead was 19-16. A Sevenoaks basket took them five ahead but Hankin and Gaskin combined for six straight to give their team their first lead.  The Kent side replied with the next score before an 11-2 spell for Southend, triggered by three-pointers from Jennie Rodgers and Katie Doubleday, took them clear at 33-25.  But Suns again hit back, putting together a 10-4 run that left Swifts with the narrowest 37-35 half time lead. 

The third quarter was a battle royal as both sides displayed great intensity for so early in the season.  Neither team were able to get a conclusive lead with some very good long range shooting from Sevenoaks allowing them to wrestle back the initiative; their lead going into the final quarter standing at five at 52-47. Swifts shaded the early exchanges as the margin reduced to three at 53-56 but seven unanswered for Suns took the lead to 10; the home side failing to score for four minutes.  A 5-2 run gave some semblance of hope but Southend could get no closer as Sevenoaks recorded an excellent 67-58 victory in a pulsating contest.  Gaskin 12 and Rodgers 10 leading a nicely balanced scoring line-up.

 

UNDER 16 GIRLS NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH CONFERENCE

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 73  SEVENOAKS SUNS 39 

After the disappointment of their under 18 colleagues, Southend Swifts under 16s had a quick opportunity to get the club back onto winning ways when they too took on Sevenoaks Suns.  Southend had a narrow defeat in their first game of the season and were looking to get their season under way despite being without Francesca Moody suffering from a knee injury.  

A three-pointer from captain Katie Holland looked to have got the team off to a good start but with neither side playing with any fluency the score stood at just 5-4 after three minutes.  Swifts were showing great defensive intensity that forced the visitors into numerous turnovers and with Holland and Sarah Cozens finding the basket the score moved out to 13-7 after seven minutes.  The introduction of Jessica Holland further upped the tempo and she scored three points to take her team 20-11 ahead.  Suns scored four straight foul shots but a late Katie Holland score saw Southend hold a 22-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. But after conceding the first basket of the second period, the home side simply sprang into top gear.  Led by the Holland sisters, they put together a 10-2 run that broke the game open at 32-19. After Sevenoaks scored a three-point shot, four points from 13 year old Amy Rodgers and a pair of Shannon Matthews foul shots made it 38-22 after five minutes.  And the remainder of the quarter was the Katie Holland show as she scored her team’s final nine points to help Swifts to a lead by 47 points to 26 at the half time interval. 

Sevenoaks change of defensive formation certainly stemmed the scoring tide with just two Southend points in the opening three minutes of the third quarter.  But the only Suns basket was a three-point shot before the hosts reeled off 11 straight to lead 60-29 going into the final stanza; Sophie Hankin scoring six in the run. All of the Swifts players took the opportunity of making contributions and scores from Hannah Gowland and Gaby Freedman took the lead over 30. Lauren Tate with a pair of foul shots and five points from Kiki Gilbert concluded the scoring as Southend ended comfortable winners by 73 points to 39.  Katie Holland on 29 led the scoring with all of the other players on the scoresheet. 

tSUNDAY OCT 11th

UNDER 14 GIRLS NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH CONFERENCE

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 36  HARINGEY ANGELS 53 

Southend Swifts under 14 girls team had the hardest possible start to their season when they welcomed reigning national champions Haringey Angels to their home court at Eastwood High School.  The two had been the outstanding teams last season but with changes in personnel, it would remain to be seen if they would retain these positions. Once again Haringey have unearthed a group of very tall athletic players and this seemed certain to cause Southend's smaller players trouble around the basket.  So it proved as Angels opened an 8-2 lead after five minutes, with only Abbie Jones scoring.  But with the large crowd fearing a rout, the young Swifts got themselves into action.  A Samantha Toole three-pointer, a Fay Solkhon fast break and four points from Amy Rodgers giving the home side an 11-10 first quarter lead.But it was the turn of Haringey's Jay Ann Harriott to take over proceedings.  She scored her team's next eight points as they took an 18-13 lead.  A Rodgers three-point play and another Jones score got it back to 20-18 before the visitors ended the half with a 6-2 run to lead 26-20 at half time and end an outstanding 20 minutes of basketball from players so young.

But that height advantage always looked like it would be too much and so it proved in the 3rd quarter as Swifts were outscored by 15 points to four, which included another Toole three-pointer.  Another 6-2 run at the start of the final period took Angels 47-26 ahead before a 10-2 run for the hosts gave the score an air of respectability with Haringey ending very worthy winners by 53 points to 36. Not quite the outcome Swifts had hoped for with Rodgers on 14 points, Toole 10 and Jones 8.

 

BOYS UNDER 14 NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH CONFERENCE

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 24  SOLENT KESTRELS 134 

For the second week running, Southend Swifts under 14 boys suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of much more experienced and physically mature opponents who continued with their pressure defence even when the game was comfortably won.  But the youngsters gave an excellent account of themselves despite being without no less than eight of the older members of their team and which augers well for their progression throughout the season. 

 

 

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3RD

 

GIRLS UNDER 16 NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH CONFERENCE

EASTSIDE EAGLES 54  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 48 

The first league match of the 2009/10 season saw Southend Swifts under 16 girls team travel to East London to take on Eastside Eagles.  The teams had been in separate divisions last year, with both reaching the play-offs. 

With their tallest player, Sophie Hankin, delayed by another sports event, Southend looked likely to struggle against their very tall opponents and so it proved as the home side opened a 9-4 lead after 5 minutes of play.  A three-pointer from Swifts captain Katie Holland got her teams score moving but a 4-1 spell for the hosts gave them a 13-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Eastside moved to a zone defence, capitalising on their height advantage, and they kept Southend to just two points in the first six minutes as the margin moved out to seven and an 8-4 run took the home side to a 27-16 lead at the half time interval. 

The third quarter saw Swifts fare little better as they conceded eight of the first ten points to trail 35-18.  A 6-0 run gave some semblance of hope, but Eagles regained their composure and despite five further points from Robson the home side led 41-29 at the end of the third period. After four minutes of the final quarter the game appeared to be over at 47-33 before Southend finally moved into gear.  Led by Beth Robson they went on a 15-5 stretch that made it just a four point game at 52-48.  But Swifts could get no closer with Eagles getting the final basket as they ran out deserved winners in a very hard fought contest by 54 points to 48.  Robson with 19 points, all within 11 minutes of playing time in the second half and Holland on 17 leading the scoring. 

UNDER 14 MATCHES 

Swifts two under 14 teams had very disappointing first days of the season for entirely different reasons.  The under 14 boys, only two of whom have any experience whatsoever, went down to a 94-11 defeat at London Greenhouse, who reached the play-offs last season.  The under 14 girls did not even make it onto court as they opponents failed to have sufficient players registered to undertake the match.  With a number of teams having already dropped out of their division, Southend have declined to claim the match and have offered to replay the fixture later in the season. 

WOMEN'S UNDER 18 NATIONAL LEAGUE - SOUTH CONFERENCE

EASTSIDE EAGLES 40  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 55 

So the final club match of the opening weekend saw Southend Swifts under 18 girls team take on Eastside Eagles having seen their under 16 colleagues suffer a narrow defeat against the same team earlier in the day.  Southend went into the game missing four of their top six players for the game. Both sides struggled early on with the scoreline at just 5 apiece midway through the first quarter.  Baskets from captain Jennie Rodgers and Emma Scudder steadied the team as they put together a decisive 13-2 spell that took them to an 18-7 lead at the end of the opening period. Eastside changed to a zone defence, which caused Swifts some problems, as the hosts scored 8 unanswered points to reduce the deficit to just three.  But a 10-0 run, with three-pointers from Rodgers and Katie Holland, took the Essex side clear and with Katie Doubleday also scoring from long range, the half time lead was 33-21. 

Defences were certainly on top throughout the second half as both teams worked hard to prevent easy scoring opportunities.  Eagles were never able to reduce the deficit into single figures as Emily Hankin and Ella Rees worked with Rodgers to keep their taller opponents away from the basket.  Emily Robson had her best outing in some time and with Sophie Hankin making some important shots, Swifts were able to maintain their lead to end with a 55-40 victory that was an excellent performance with such a depleted line up.  Rodgers 23 and Doubleday 11 leading the scoring.

 

RAF FINAL FOURS   2009

SATURDAY MAY 2nd

UNDER 18 WOMENS PLAY-OFF SEMI FINAL

MANCHESTER  MYSTICS 100  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 55 

So the finale of the 2008/09 basketball season saw the end of season play-offs at RAF Cosford and for the second year running Southend Swifts had all three girls teams competing for the status of national champions.  First into action were the under 18 team who had the task of overcoming Manchester Mystics, who had defeated them in the National Cup Final in February. 

An excellent start saw Southend take an 8-4 lead after five minutes with Jennie Rodgers and Francesca Whitby sharing the points.  Manchester hit back with the next five before an Ellie Shaxon score gave Swifts a one point lead.  But the Essex side would fail to score over the last four minutes as Mystics ran in 13 of their own to lead 22-10 at the end of the first quarter. A Hannah Culwick three-pointer and a Rebecca Brough lay-up gave some renewed hope but the North-western team scored five straight to open the gap to 12. The next three minutes would see Swifts score the next eight points, Culwick and Rodgers both with three-pointers, and it was 27-23 and game on.  With three minutes of the second quarter it was just 31-25 but it was another disastrous stretch for Southend as they conceded the final 15 points to trail 46-26 at the half time interval. 

A 9-4 spell in the first three minutes, Rodgers with seven, produced a false dawn but another ruinous spell, four minutes and 16 conceded, made it 66-35 and game over; two further Culwick three-pointers the only bright spot as the margin reached 77-41 with one quarter remaining. With only pride to play for, Southend did not let up but there was insufficient firepower across the team.  The final scoreline of 100-55 does not reflect the difference between the sides but on this day it was Mystics who deservedly reached the final. For Swifts Rodgers on 21 points, Culwick 14 (with four three-pointers) and Whitby 12 had too much of the load to share to get their team through.

 

UNDER 14 GIRLS PLAY-OFF SEMI FINAL

CHESHIRE JETS 45  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 76 

Whilst their older team-mates were suffering defeat in their semi final, Southend Swifts under 14 girls team were making their attempt to reach the national final.  Their opponents were Cheshire Jets, who had finished in second place in the very tough Northern division. But the youngest Swifts team showed no signs of nerves as they ran in the first 11 points as they held their opponents scoreless for the first four minutes; Amy Rodgers with seven points.  Stretches of 5-2 and 4-2 extended the advantage and at the end of the opening quarter Southend’s lead was 20 points to 6. Cheshire made a better start with a 6-2 run but baskets from Sophie Hankin and Jessica Holland took back the initiative. It was just 28-17 with two minutes to play but seven straight for Swifts, including a Beth Robson three-pointer, took Swifts clear and at half time the lead was 37-19. 

But if the first half was good, the third quarter was absolutely devastating as the Essex youngsters really turned up the defensive pressure.  Rogers, Hankin and Stephanie Smith combined for 16 points in the first four minutes, whilst their team conceded just four, to lead 53-23 and victory in place.  The young ladies were relishing the big stage and another Rodgers three-pointer helped her team to a 62-29 lead with one period remaining. This allowed all of the Southend team to get court time; a remarkable situation considering that for eight of the 13 squad members this was the first season in a Swifts vest.  Cheshire, to their credit, battled to the last but there was no way back as Southend reached the final at this age group for the 4th successive season with a 76-45 victory.  Rodgers on 27 points, Robson 16 and Hankin 12 leading the scoring.

 

UNDER 18 WOMENS 3rd/4th PLAY-OFF

NOTTINGHAM WILDCATS 90  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 74 

After the disappointment of their semi final, Southend Swifts under 18 team looked to restore some pride when they met Nottingham Wildcats in the 3rd/4th place play-offs at RAF Cosford; both teams having finished second in their respective divisions in the regular season. 

Southend made a good start, with scores from Ellie Shaxon and Rebecca Brough, but Nottingham replied with a 9-0 run to take the initiative.  Shaxon and Brough again replied but an injury to Shaxon forced her to leave the game for good which enabled Wildcats to capitalise on their height advantage to again register nine straight points.  They maintained their advantage for the remainder of the opening quarter to hold a 25-16 lead. A much more concerted effort saw Swifts register the first seven points, Jennie Rodgers with five, but a 9-1 spell again took Nottingham 10 ahead at 34-24.  A 7-4 run took them further ahead and despite a Hannah Culwick three-pointer, another eight straight took the Midland side 18 ahead at 49-31 with two minutes remaining.  But three pointers from Culwick and Katie Doubleday and a Francesca Whitby basket gave some hope as Swifts reduced the deficit back to 51-39 at the half time interval. 

The late flourish carried on into the third quarter as the comeback started.  Another Culwick trey triggered a 10-2 stretch that reduced the deficit to four.  Wildcats scored again before successive three-pointers from Whitby tied the game up at 55 after four minutes; an 18 point turnaround in six minutes of play.  When last season’s England under 16 player of the year scored the next five Swifts led 60-59 with three minutes remaining.  But perhaps the euphoria was too much as Nottingham hit back with the final eight points to lead 67-60 going into the closing period; the loss of Rodgers with five fouls to some very dubious decisions not helping the cause. A 6-2 run got Southend back to three but seven straight took the Midland side back out to a 10 point lead.  Swifts took the opportunity to give all of their players’ court time in this final game of the season and ended up with a disappointing 90-74 defeat that was a rather unsatisfactory conclusion to a very good season.  Whitby 24, Brough 17 and Culwick 10 leading the scoring.

 

UNDER 14 GIRLS PLAY-OFF FINAL

HARINGEY ANGELS 61  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 45 

So the top two teams in the South Division found themselves in the National Final at RAF Cosford.  Southend Swifts, with eight first season players in their 13 girl squad, against the very talented and hugely physically imposing Haringey Angels; the London side with probably the tallest ever team at this age level.

With both sets of young ladies understandably nervous, Haringey were first into their stride taking a 7-2 lead after five minutes that looked like it would pave the way to a comfortable victory.  But suddenly Swifts produced the kind of form they have displayed throughout the season.  Tenacious defence was converted into very rapid attack as they scored the next 11 points to take a most improbable 13-7 lead.  But Angels showed their resilience by going on a 10-0 run to lead 17-13 at the end of a very exciting first quarter. The London side scored the next five points and their height advantage simply stopped Southend getting close to the basket.  The Essex side managed just six points in the second quarter, whilst conceding 23, and the deficit of 40-18 at the half time interval was always going to make it a mountain to climb to get back into the match. 

But slowly Swifts regained their composure.  Some excellent passing movements brought prolonged applause from the large crowd and although the margin remained the same, it was a much better third period with the scoreboard showing 52-30 going into the final 10 minutes. But these youngsters wanted to go out with a flourish.  Finding reserves of energy, they actually won the final quarter by 15 points to nine to end with a 61-45 defeat and showed how crucial the disappointing second quarter had been.  Beth Robson with 11 points, 4 steals and 3 assists, Jess Holland 10 points and 9 rebounds, Amy Rodgers 10 points and three assists and Sophie Hankin with a huge 13 rebounds led the team at the end of a remarkable season.

 

UNDER 16 GTIRLS PLAY-OFF SEMI FINAL

SEVENOAKS SUNS 76  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 44 

Day 2 of the RAF-sponsored national finals saw Southend Swifts under 16 team in action in the semi final against Sevenoaks Suns.  This was a different line-up for Southend with a number of the under 14 team getting some huge experience following their success at their own age group.

Despite knowing this would be a very tough battle, Southend took the lead with a Sarah Cozens basket and they kept their opponents to just five points in the opening four minutes.  But from 5-4 down, Sevenoaks scored the next 12 points to open a double digit lead.  There was just a Katie Holland three-pointer in the remainder of the quarter as Swifts found themselves 23-7 behind at the end of the first quarter. A 10-5 run increased the margin but changes of defensive formation kept the scoreline within bounds and with Jessica Holland and Amy Rodgers belying their youth to get to the basket, Swifts had probably surprised themselves by reaching 20 at half time against Suns 42 points. 

With just one year 11 player in their line-up this was a huge learning experience for Southend and again their defensive efforts kept Sevenoaks from easy scores and a three-pointer from under 14 captain Beth Robson ended another good 10 minute spell as the deficit increased by just five to 60-31 at the end of the third period. Again there was another battling display but at 72-34 with three minutes remaining it looked like a 40 point loss would be inevitable.  But further three-pointers from Kate Holland and Robson aided a 9-2 closing spell that left Swifts with a 76-44 defeat but a huge amount of pride. 

 

UNDER 16 GIRLS 3rd/4th PLAY-OFF

HARINGEY ANGELS 70  SOUTHEND SWIFTS 52 

So, perhaps surprisingly, two perennial rivals met in the 3rd and 4th play-off for the under 16 championships with Southend Swifts and Haringey Angels battling once again at RAF Cosford. 

Haringey made the better start, taking an 8-1 lead as Southend struggled to find any fluency in offence.  From 16-5 it looked like it could be a rout but four points from Katie Holland gave her team a boost at the end of the first quarter. Eight straight for Angels again gave them the initiative and with only Emily Hankin able to get close to the basket the London side were able to extend their advantage to lead 36-18 at the midpoint break. 

But here was a much greater sense of urgency in the third quarter.  A three-pointer from Lauren Tate and further good work from Hankin kept Swifts in touch and a three-pointer from Amy Rodgers helped keep the deficit at the same level as Haringey led 57-39 going into the final stanza. The hard work continued and with all five under 14s on court together they actually reduced the margin.  But there would be no way back on this day as Swifts fell to a very creditable defeat by 70 points to 52 to end a difficult weekend for the club in terms of results but one of great pride with all three teams again at the national finals.