Southend Swifts Basketball Club

After a disappointing defeat the previous week, Southend Swifts under 18 girls team looked to get back on winning ways when they entertained Brixton Topcats at Eastwood High School. Southend made an emphatic start, taking a 10-3 lead after five minutes, as their pressing defence found early success. The barrage continued for the remainder of the opening quarter to leave the home side 18-9 ahead, with six separate players already on the scoresheet. But the next five minutes would be even more stunning as the Essex side scored 18 unanswered points to effectively end the match as a contest. Led by Francesca Whitby with the first seven points, the run was ended with five straight from Emma Scudder including a very long range three-pointer. Changes of personnel had little effect as further three-pointers from Whitby and Hannah Culwick helped their team to a 47-18 lead at half time.

There was just no let up from Swifts as they embarked on a 20-2 stretch with some excellent passing movements; Katie Doubleday having her best display of the season with six in the run. Topcats battled for their best spell of the match scoring nine points in the final three minutes but further long range efforts from Whitby and Culwick gave their team a 73-29 advantage going into the concluding period. Unsurprisingly the intensity dropped as a 10-4 run for Brixton showed their resolve; England international Vanessa Akra contributing six for the visitors. But 14 straight for Southend ended proceedings with a very good 91-41 win; Whitby with 26 points and Culwick with 13.

After the euphoria of their cup win against Premier Division opposition, Southend Swifts under 18 boys team looked to maintain their drive up the Conference table when they travelled into London to take on Eastside Eagles - both sides with a 3 and 1 record. The home side scored the first four points but good work from Josh Gridley kept Swifts in it as he scored his team's first six points to leave the scores tied at 8 after three minutes. Neither side could get a meaningful advantage as Eagles led 16-15 after seven minutes but a 7-2 spell saw them lead 23-17 at the first interval. Some inspired work from Joe Hart and Oliver Crussell reduced the deficit to two at 26-24 and the teams literally traded baskets for the remainder of the period which saw Eastside hold a 36-34 half time lead.

Still neither team could get away and a three-pointer from Ben Tipper tied the game up at 41 all. But an excellent five minutes for Eastside saw them embark on a 15-2 run that broke the game open at 56-43. Despite further good work from Hart, the lead was still double digit at 60-50 going into the last quarter. There just seemed no way back as the Londoners increased the margin to 71-56 with under five minutes remaining. But Swifts have found some inner strength in recent weeks. Two Crussell foul shots triggered an 11-2 run that made it 73-67 going into the final two minutes - Hart contributing seven. Eagles scored one foul shot but four points for Swifts got them to 74-71 going into the last minute. But they could get no closer as they lost a pulsating match by 75 points to 71. Hart 23, Gridley 12 and Tipper 11 leading the scorers.

Sadly this is not the first game, nor will it be the last, that if awarded 20-0 as one team are unable to field a team. What made it all the sadder for Southend Swifts under 16 girls team is that this would have been their first game of the season while their male colleagues have already had six matches. A futile two league points when all the young ladies wanted to do was play.

So the final game of a busy day saw Southend Swifts senior girls team have their second encounter of the season against Wellingborough Phoenix; the teams having played an exciting cup match earlier in the season which ended in an eight point win for the Northampton-based team. Southend made an excellent start taking an 8-0 lead with two huge three-point shots from Hannah Culwick but Phoenix hit back with the next five points to trail by just two. Another Culwick bomb helped her team to restore the seven point margin but Phoenix's height advantage began to tell as they took their first advantage at 18-17. An excellent score for Kelly Matthews got her team back in front but a three-pointer from Angeline Field gave the visitors a 21-19 lead. A 4-2 run doubled their lead but successive three-pointers from Matthews and a pair of Francesca Whitby foul shots took Swifts 29-25 ahead. Wellingborough fought back to tie the game up at 31 but a further long range effort from Southend captain Rebecca Brough again took her team ahead before six straight for the visitors gave them a 37-34 half time lead.

Neither side could break the deadlock as another Brough trey took her team 42-41 ahead. Phoenix replied with one of their own but a three-point play from Jennie Rodgers again edged Swifts ahead. The visitors made the next five but a 7-4 run got Southend back to one down at 52-53 before conceding the last four to trail 57-52 going into the final stanza. But that height disadvantage was just too much to conquer. Time and again missed shots would be snapped up by the Phoenix players to get second chance scoring opportunity and that was Swifts' undoing as they conceded an eight point margin in the final quarter to lose a very good contest by 73 points to 60 with Whitby on 15 points, Culwick 13 and Matthews 10.

For their second outing of the season, Southend Swifts under 14 girls team met Newham Youngbloods at their home court at Eastwood High School. The visitors are from a traditionally strong program with their under 14 boys currently at the top of their division with a 100% record, so a competitive match had to be expected. But the Swifts' youngsters had other ideas. From the opening tip they overwhelmed their obviously inexperienced rivals with excellent defence being rapidly converted into lighting quick attack. They clocked up 18 unanswered points in the first four minutes, with Sophie Hankin contributing twelve. Indeed they actually registered the first 24 points before Newham finally disturbed the scorer with four foul shots that were the final scores of the first quarter. The second period was even more bizarre as despite Southend no longer pressing their opponents, they ran in 46 points without reply; 12 year old Amy Rodgers helping herself to 24 of her own.

The third period was slightly less hectic but with Jess Holland creating space around the basket, the points haul continued to increase. Some excellent passes from Beth Robson and Fay Solkhon drew prolonged applause from the spectators as the lead stretched to 98-8 with debutantes Rona Bloomer and Chloe Bates getting onto the scoresheet. The final period was still one-way traffic although the Newham players continued with an excellent spirit. Further scoring from Holland, Hankin and Solkhon concluded matters with a final scoreline of 126-14. Hankin and Rogers both had career highs of 36 points each, with Holland on 16 and Solkhon on 10.

Southend Swifts teams had no fewer than eight games with six teams in action over the weekend with results of varying success.

Pride of place must go to the Under 18 boys who bounced back from their first league defeat of the season to record a stunning cup victory against Premier Division opposition. On Saturday they succumbed to a very good Oxford Brookes Eagles by 77 points to 70 after holding a 43-35 half time lead. Despite 23 points each from James Gaskin and Joe Hart, a poor third quarter gave the visitors the initiative and a scoreless final three minutes sealed Swifts fate.

But on Sunday, in the first round of the SureShot National Cup, the situation was reversed. They met Westminster Warriors, who are currently in joint second place in the South East Premier Division which is rated the toughest of the four Premier sections, Southend playing in the lower Conference. Swifts came out with a 14-4 lead after six minutes as Gaskin and Josh Gridley led the scoring against much taller opponents. Warriors replied to reduce the margin back to 18-15 but a three-pointer from Nitesh Patel and a Ben Tipper score made it 23-15 at the end of the first quarter. A 7-3 run, with another Patel trey, took the margin to double digits but seven straight for Westminster reduced the margin to four. A 7-2 spell again gave Southend some breathing space and despite conceding the next four, a long-range effort from Tipper gave the hosts a 45-37 half time lead.

An 8-5 stretch took the score to 56-42, Patel with another three, but the Londoners hit back with five straight. A 6-4 spell kept Southend 62-51 ahead and the teams traded baskets to leave Swifts 68-58 ahead going into the final period; the question for the large crowd was whether they could keep their nerve against illustrious opposition. Captain Gaskin gave the immediate answer as he scored his teams first seven points, including a huge three-point score, to take the margin out to 15 and four straight from Tipper kept the edge at 79-65. With the noise at a crescendo, the Essex side kept their resolve to lead 87-72 going into the final two minutes. But panic set in and three huge three-point shots from Warriors' Bennett-Harris made it a six point game going into the final minute. The same player than had three foul shot attempts but amazingly missed them all and Swifts held on for a famous victory. Gaskin 34 points, Tipper 22 and Patel 15 leading a fantastic performance.

In the other matches the Under 14 boys again suffered against much more experienced opposition as they suffered two heavy defeats. The Under 16 boys had a disappointing cup loss at Ipswich Bobcats by a very narrow 74-72 margin despite 35 points from Joe Hart and 27 from Oliver Crussell.

On the women's side there was disappointment for both the Seniors and Under 18's both of whom travelled to Sevenoaks on separate days. The senior team lost 76-66 on Saturday after being 13 points ahead with Hannah Culwick on 18 and Jennie Rodgers 17. The same two players both had 15 with Rebecca Brough on 17 as they fell by 74 points to 66 on Sunday.

The only other bright spot was the performance of the Under 14 girls in their first league game of the season. Despite having three players making their Swifts' league debuts, they had a 123-33 win against Brentwood Fire with Amy Rodgers on 29, Sophie Hankin 26, Jess Holland 20 and Beth Robson 16.

After two tough opening games, Southend Swifts under 16 boys team looked to get their first victory of the season when they welcomed Spelthorne Atoms to their home court at Eastwood School. The visitors reached the final fours at this age group last season and are from a club with a long-standing reputation in boys basketball.

Atoms scored the first four points of the contest but Swifts hit back with 10 straight, with captain Joe Hart contributing two three-point shots. Some tenacious defence kept the taller Spelthorne players away from the basket and at the end of the opening quarter the home side's lead was 18-9. Atoms changed their defensive formation, seeking to deny Hart from receiving the ball, and this reaped dividends as they scored 10 unanswered points to lead 23-22. Oliver Crussell replied with a three-point shot and when Hart escaped the very close attention to score, the game was tied at 27. But with two minutes to play in the first half, disaster struck for Southend when Hart took a nasty fall that left him with a badly-strained ankle that meant he would take no further part in the match. This naturally unsettled the home side and at half time they trailed 33-30.

But in the face of adversity, Swifts showed great heart. Crussell and Thulani Sibanda took over the leadership mantle. From 47-38 behind, the duo combined for seven points to reduce the deficit to just two before a 6-2 run gave Spelthorne a 53-47 advantage going into the final stanza. Some poor foul shooting hurt the home side as the deficit increased to 57-49 but four points from Daniel Eagling brought the margin back to four and the crowd noise at a crescendo. Spelthorne's size advantage helped them to the next five points before a 6-2 stretch for Southend brought the scoreline back to 64-59. But Swifts could get no nearer as Atoms controlled matters to record a deserved victory if by the slightly flattering margin of 72 points to 61. Crussell ended with a career high of 29 points with Hart on 12 in just 18 minutes of play.

Southend Swifts senior womens teams first league game of the season ended in a very disappointing defeat against London Westside at Eastwood School. Throughout the match, Southend were unable to cope with the physical advantages of the visitors who seemed to take every rebound from missed shots at both ends of the court. Swifts were never able to get any aspect of their game into gear as poor decision making and shot selection allowed the visitors to dominate proceedings from the opening tip to the final buzzer. The only ray of hope for Swifts was the shooting of guards Rebecca Brough and Amy Andrews who combined for 35 of their team's points, but this was a day that the team will want to quickly put behind them.

After disappointing results on Saturday, Southend Swifts under 18 girls team looked to reverse club fortunes when they made the journey to the South Coast to play Solent Suns. The teams had met in a pre-season tournament in September, which saw Southend coming out winners, and with Solent missing 6' 3" centre Leanne Miller, there had to be cause for optimism for the Essex side.

Swifts made their customary fast start, taking a 10-2 lead with Hannah Culwick and Francesca Whitby sharing the points. Solent replied with the five, but with Culwick finding the basket with unerring accuracy, the margin moved out to 16-7. The hosts hit back with the next four points before a long range effort from Maisie Elston took the score at the end of the first quarter to 18-11. A further 10 unanswered points, again shared by Culwick and Whitby, took the lead to 17 and with Jennie Rodgers finally finding her scoring touch, Southend had stamped their authority on the game with a 43-18 half time lead; Culwick already with 18 points on 80% shooting.

Despite constant changes of personnel, Swifts maintained their momentum and a 10-4 spell took them 23 ahead. Four more for Culwick kept the scoreboard moving and baskets from Elston and Kitty Hall helped their team to a 64-31 advantage with one quarter remaining. Nine points straight, this time shared by Rodgers and captain Rebecca Brough, took the lead above 40. Solent, to their credit, continued to battle and they scored eight of the next 11 points, Swifts' only success being a three-pointer from Emily Robson. There was further trading of scores before steals from Brough and Hall set up eight points in the final minute to leave Southend with a 90-46 victory in their first league outing of the season. Culwick with a career high 26, Whitby 19 and Rodgers 15 leading the scoring.

After the disappointment of defeat in their opening fixture, Southend Swifts under 16 boys team looked to make amends when they travelled to take on London Towers - one of the most famous names in British basketball. Towers made a strong start, taking an early 9-4 lead, but Southend battled back as captain Joe Hart began to find room to get to the basket. The scores were tied at 16 apiece before a 7-4 run for the home side gave them a 23-20 lead at the end of the first quarter. Six straight for Swifts gave them their first lead but a complete lack of concentration allowed the London side to register the next nine points and they further managed the final eight of the quarter to lead 42-30 at the half time interval.

But whatever was said during the break certainly had the desired effect as Southend took control in the 3rd period. They restricted their opponents to just 12 points in the quarter whilst scoring 23 themselves to reduce the deficit to just one; Hart with 16 in the 10 minutes. Swifts managed the first basket of the final stanza to take the lead but allowed Towers to score the next six and a further 7-4 spell gave the hosts a 67-59 lead going into the last two minutes. But the Essex side refused to concede and scores from Thulani Sibanda and Oliver Crussell brought it to 67-64 with seconds to play. A missed shot looked to have ended their hopes but a great effort from Alex Gilbert retrieved the ball and from his pass Hart scored a three-point shot to send the game in extra time.

Towers struck first in the five minute period but four points from Hart reduced the deficit to 73-71. London hit back with the next three and despite Hart making yet another three-pointer, time was shown to have elapsed and the game was lost at 76-74. Hart led the way with 37 points with Crussell on 13.

For the third week running, Southend Swifts under 14 boys team came against opponents with far greater expertise as they again fell to a heavy defeat by 110 points to 27 against Solent Kestrels. Other sporting events deprived them of a number of players, but the young men battled for the whole 40 minutes despite the obvious gulf in ability. With new players arriving, and further concerted training in place, the team will undoubtedly make great headway in catching up to some very good opposition that they will face all season.

The final match of the weekend saw the under 18 boys look to continue their winning start when they welcomed Cambridge Cats to Eastwood School. Swifts had two very good victories behind them, against highly fancied teams, so were in confident mood against opponents looking to register their first victory of the season. A good start saw Southend lead 10-2 as captain James Gaskin dominated the rebounding. Cambridge hit back with a 6-2 run and after 5 minutes the margin was just four at 12-8. But over the final five minutes of the quarter, Swifts totally dominated proceedings, scoring 18 unanswered points to take a commanding 30-8 lead; Ben Tipper with nine in the spell. The second period started with much less intensity, with the score advancing to just 36-18 after six minutes, before the hosts scored 10 unanswered with Joe Hart contributing six and Josh Gridley making the bizarrest of baskets as he was falling to the floor. Cats, however, continued to battle, scoring the final seven points to trail 46-25 at the half time interval.

But Swifts' intent was very clear at the start of the third quarter. A 13-2 run effectively ended the contest as the lead extended to 59-27 and allowed Southend the luxury of resting their starters to give all of their players valuable playing time; the margin standing at 65-39 with one period remaining. Yet again the Essex side put in another scintillating spell; this time with a 16-2 stretch to take the advantage to 40. This time the starting players sat down for good and baskets from Thulani Sibanda and Martin Fry ended proceedings for a comfortable 91-57 victory that keeps Swifts at the top of the league table. Tipper 22 points, Gaskin 20, Hart 16 and Gridley 14 leading the nicely balanced scoring line.

BOYS UNDER 14 - SOUTH DIVISION
SOUTHEND SWIFTS 58 KINGSTON WILDCATS 90

National league basketball finally started for Southend Swifts with two home games at their new court at Eastwood School with the honour of the opening fixture going to the clubs newest team - the under 14 boys.The squad has only been together for four weeks and faced a club with a big reputation in the sport; Kingston Wildcats.

An early 11-2 deficit showed the size of the task ahead before the combination of George Cassidy and David Goates began to reduce the margin, A 9-2 run brought Kingston's lead down to 2 before the visitors showed their greater experience, scoring six of the last nine points to lead 19-14 at the end of the first quarter. After the teams traded baskets at the start of the second period, a
14-2 stretch for the Surrey side took them 37-20 ahead but seven straight for Swifts looked to have stemmed the tide. Wildcats had
other ideas and they scored the final four baskets of the first half to lead 45-27 at the mid point interval,

The Southend youngsters showed good concentration at the start of the third quarter, with Jack Adams contributing five points, but 13
straight for KIngston took them out of sight at 68-35. Swifts however showed how quickly they were learning the game and a 13-6 spell gave the margin a great deal of respectability at 74-48 going into the final 10 minutes - the two teams having shared 50 points in a frenetic third period. The final quarter was a much tamer affair but Southend refused to concede as they amassed 58 points in total in an excellent effort in their first formal game, going down by 90 points to 58 against very good opposition. All of the players had made a sterling effort led by Cassidy with 28 points and Goates with 16 and 20 rebounds, It will be interesting to see the progression of this team over the coming months.

BOYS UNDER 18 - SOUTH CONFERENCE
SOUTHEND SWIFTS 86 HARINGEY WARRIORS 65

Next into action were the under 18 boys with a very tough task against Haringey Warriors, who had qualified for the play-offs from this
division last season. Swifts made an excellent start as James Gaskin, Joe Hart and Ben Tipper all got onto the scoresheet early on as their team took an 8-1 lead. Warriors replied with the next three but with Hart and Gaskin combining for 11 of their teams next 13 points, the lead extended out to 21-7 after seven minutes, The visitors looked to impose themselves on the match with the next four points but they could get no closer than 24-13 behind at the end of the first quarter. But it was the hosts who would stamp their authority on proceedings with some outstanding play. They made the first six points of the second period, and with Hart directing operations, kept the lead at 36-20. A three--pointer from Haringey seemed to spur the home side on and they made 11 unanswered points over the final three minutes to hold a 47-23 half time lead.

A poor start to the third quarter saw Swifts concede the first six points but a 7-2 run redressed the balance and some excellent long
range shooting from Tipper, NItesh Patel and Hart enabled the hosts to extend the lead to 68-42 going into the final stanza. Some good work from the visitors saw them reduce the deficit below 20 but Southend were determined to show their superiority on the day as the ran out surprisingly comfortable winners by 86 points to 65; Gaskin 25 points, Tipper 24 and Hart 22 leading the scoring,

Four Southend Swifts teams were in action on Saturday which included a first-ever appearance for the newly-formed boys under 14 team. The three boys teams all entertained Kent Crusaders at their home court of Eastwood School with the under 16's recording a comfortable 61-44 win, the under 18's suffering a tough 79-75 reverse and the under 14's a 109-40 defeat against a side with a huge height and experience advantage. But with a number of players taking part after just three weeks of training, there were some very real signs of Swifts once again unearthing some genuine local talent.

The under 16 girls travelled into London for a three club tournament, recording a 72-19 win against Eastside Eagles and suffering a 54-44 defeat against Haringey Angels for their first defeat in six pre-season matches. Having had five ridiculously comfortable victories previously this was just the reality check the team needed in advance of the league campaign which has a very late start at the beginning of November.

Saturday September 13th

SOUTHEND SWIFTS OPENING WEEKEND AT EASTWOOD SCHOOL A RESOUNDING SUCCESS

Southend Swifts first weekend of play at their new home venue of Eastwood School was a resounding success with four excellent matches against very tough opposition.

First into action were the under 18 girls who met Cheshire Jets, who have absorbed the very successful Ellesmere Port club into their organisation. The Northerners looked like they would spoil the party as they took an early 10-2 lead before Swifts exploded into action, scoring the next 13 points on their way to a 20-13 first quarter lead.

After that it was a festival of fast break basketball as the home side drew prolonged applause from the large crowd with their slick passing movements. All of the players made huge contributions as the team gave an indication of their intentions for the season with a resounding 81-37 win with Hannah Culwick on 25 points, Jennie Rodgers 15 and Rebecca Brough 12.

Next up were the under 18 boys who met Manchester Magic, who were last season's national champions at this level. A 23-11 deficit at the end of the first quarter stretched to 36-15 and the Essex side looked like they would be on the end of a rout. But good work from Josh Gridley and Joe Hart gave their team the last 10 points to trail 36-25 at the midway interval.

Southend refused to be intimidated by their illustrious opponents and with captain James Gaskin leading from the front, the margin was just four, at 54-58, with one stanza remaining. The final quarter saw huge tension for a match so early in the season, with the visitors holding on for a 67-63 win. Hart 20, Gaskin 15 and Ben Tipper on 14 leading Swifts.

Sunday September 14th

The second day of matches saw the under 16 girls meet Cheshire Jets. Swifts have a very changed team from last year, with only four players from the triple-winning squad, but it was an almost seamless change as they took a 22-6 first quarter lead with a scintillating display of long range shooting. The second quarter was no less exhilarating as tough defence was turned into rapid attack as the lead stretched to 43-13 and the game effectively over.

The remainder of the game allowed the younger team members to get very valuable playing time as the team secured a 77-36 victory that will send out huge signals to the rest of the country. Maisie Elston and Emily Hankin on 12 points and Katie Holland with 11 leading the scoring.

The final match saw the under 18 boys again in action, this time against Brentwood Fire. A close first half saw the visitors lead 40-39 but they kept Swifts at bay in the third quarter to lead 61-44. The hosts lost captain James Gaskin to five fouls and the match seemed over; the score with one stanza remaining at 62-49.

Southend struggled to make inroads into the deficit and with just four minutes remaining trailed 73-62. But amazingly the home side scored the final 11 points to send the match into overtime. From somewhere they found some further energy to complete a three point win by 84 points to 79 to end a fantastic weekend's entertainment. Joe Hart with 33, James Gaskin 20 and Ben Tipper 15 the top scorers.

The National Play-off Finals at RAF Cosford is the aim for every age group team at the start of the basketball season. Positions in the respective regional divisions bring the reward of matches against teams from all over the country, with the top four in each age group getting the opportunity of competing on the biggest stage. For the second year running, Southend Swifts had all three girls teams taking part in the RAF-sponsored two day event.

First into action were the under 14’s who had surprised even themselves in getting to this stage. Their opponents were Eastside Eagles, who were the first side to reach the finals in their debut season at this level. Southend started nervously, failing to get on the scoreboard in the opening five minutes as Eastside registered the first four points. Baskets from Hannah Gowland, Katie Holland and Beth Robson got them moving and the teams exchanged scores for the remainder of the opening quarter that saw Eagles with a narrow 14-12 lead. The London side came out much stronger in the second period, scoring the first eight points, but three-pointers from Francesca Moody and Stephanie Smith reduced the deficit to 22-18. This seemed to lull Swifts into a false sense of security and they allowed Eastside to make a 13-2 run that took them 35-20 ahead and seemingly on the way to a comfortable victory. The Essex youngsters, however, had other ideas and seven straight reduced the deficit to just eight. Eagles made the next two scores before three points from Katie Holland got her team back to 39-30 down at the half time break.

A 6-2 stretch took Eastside 13 ahead and despite good work from Katie and Jess Holland, Swifts were still 49-36 behind midway through the third period. But suddenly there was a remarkable transformation. Another Smith three-pointer triggered a 12-2 run that brought her team right back into the game, trailing just 51-48 going into the final quarter. Neither team managed to find the basket in the opening two minutes as both showed understandable nerves and after seven minutes there had been just 10 points scored with Eastside leading 59-52. But once again Southend refused to give up. A three-point play from Gowland and a Katie Holland score made it a two point game. Eagles had the next score but 6 points from the Holland sisters took Swifts two up with 20 seconds remaining. But the Londoners had the ball and they managed the last score to take the game into five minutes of extra time with the scores at 63 each.

Baskets from Robson and Katie Holland took their team four ahead as every spectator at the event crowded around the court. Eagles had eight free throw chances but could manage just two successes before a short range shot tied the game up at 67 with 45 seconds remaining. After a patient offence, Moody made her way through to score a stunning left hand shot to regain the lead. Swifts stole the ball and Jess Holland was fouled. With all of the pressure on her, the 13 year old calmly slotted home both attempts to clinch the most stunning of victories. Captain Katie Holland led all scorers with a huge 32 point haul but this was a superlative team effort.

Next was the turn of Southend Swifts under 18 team looking to reach the National Final. They faced Haringey Angels, last seasons Champions, who had already clinched both the South Division title and the National Cup.

Both sides made a surprisingly tentative start with defences well on top. Southend kept their illustrious opponents scoreless for the first four minutes but could manage just two baskets themselves. Haringey began to show their pedigree with a 13-4 run over the remainder of the period to hold a 13-8 lead at the first interval. Scoring was again at a premium with just two Katie Doubleday baskets to trouble the scorer in the first five minutes. Defensive intensity was the order of the day and after seven minutes the match was tied at 18. Good offensive work from Swifts captain Emma Hart helped her team to a 24-22 lead but Angels made the last four points to lead 26-24 at the half time interval.

The opening four minutes saw the margin extend to 31-25 but some poor decision-making from Southend was hurting them badly. Suddenly the lead was double digit and at the end of the third quarter Haringey led 42-31. A 10-2 run effectively ended the contest although Southend battled to the end. Angels scored the final 10 points to record a well-deserved victory by the slightly flattering margin of 67 points to 42; Doubleday, Hart and Brough all ending with eight points.

After the excitement of the incredible overtime victory in the semi final, Southend Swifts under 14 team had less than two hours to be ready for the National Final at RAF Cosford. Their opponents would be Midlands Division winners Nottingham Wildcats, unbeaten in all play so far this season.

Nottingham, who had a four hour gap between their games, came out firing on all cylinders, registering the first thirteen points. A three-pointer from Francesca Moody and a Beth Robson basket stemmed the tide and further long-range efforts from Jess and Katie Holland brought the game back to 21-13. But Wildcats showed their undoubted potential, putting a 15-0 run together, and despite another Moody three-pointer the Midlanders led 44-19 at the midway point.

When they scored the first seven points of the third quarter, the lead was 32 and the game seemingly all over. But these young and diminutive Swifts never know when they are beaten. Once again inspired by captain Katie Holland, they put together a 10-1 stretch. Nottingham made the next score, but three-pointers from Stephanie Smith and Robson saw Southend score eight straight to trail 54-37 going into the final quarter – an 8 point turnaround in the period. A Robson basket gave a glimmer of hope, but Wildcats regained their composure and a 9-1 run took the margin above 20 and that was the game over. Swifts gave all of their players the chance to savour the big stage and were by no means disgraced in the 68-43 defeat to a very good team. Katie Holland, superb throughout the season, had again been top scorer but the young ladies had surpassed all expectations by finishing second in the country. With no fewer than seven players still eligible at this level next season, this team will only improve.

After the disappointment of their semi final defeat, Southend Swifts under 18 team were determined to leave RAF Cosford with a bronze medal when they met Wandsworth Sting in the 3rd/4th place play-off. The teams had met twice in league encounters, with Southend getting narrow wins by 10 and six points respectively. It was a poignant fixture with stalwarts Emma Hart and Jacquelyn Jobey making their final national league appearances before heading off to University in the summer.

Swifts came out strongly with four points from Christina Gaskin and it was 9-1 after four minutes. An 11-2 run made it 20-3 and a Kitty Hall score and a Hannah Culwick three-pointer saw Southend lead 25-6 at the end of the first quarter, with all of Wandsworth’s points solely from foul shots. The second period saw a superb display of athleticism and long range shooting as the Essex side ran through their repertoire. Jennie Rodgers twice, Jobey and Rebecca Brough all scored three-point shots and constant changes of personnel had little effect as the lead extended to 48-20 at the half time interval; Jobey with some remarkable defensive plays.

Swifts were changing all five players at regular intervals as they were able to maintain their defensive intensity. Four points from Francesca Whitby got her tally under way and with one stanza remaining the lead was 68-29. With the contest over, Southend took the opportunity of exciting the watching crowd. From 68-33 they reeled off 20 straight points. Both Jobey and Hart were brought off to a standing ovation from their teammates and a Maisie Elston three-pointer with just seconds remaining saw Swifts record an outstanding 98-38 win that sees them in 3rd place in the country. Jobey with 20, Rodgers 15, Brough 14 and Hart 13 leading a nicely balanced scoring line.

The second day of play in the National Play-Off finals at RAF Cosford saw Southend Swifts under 16 team in action. They went into the tournament as favourites, having already won their regional division and the national cup but they know there was no room for complacency if they were to achieve the treble.

They had the hardest possible start, with a semi final match against Manchester Mystics. Manchester are the biggest and strongest club in the country and have been girls under 16 champions for the past three years; this seasons team looking no less strong having been unbeaten in all 14 matches in winning their division. Southend made a good start, taking a 10-2 lead after four minutes with captain Francesca Whitby contributing four and further scores from Jennie Rodgers and Whitby moved them out to 14-3. As could only be expected, Manchester came fighting back with the next three baskets before a Rodgers three-pointer and a Christina Gaskin inside move helped their team to a 19-13 lead. The same two players had Swifts’ first scores as the margin increased to 10 and with Gaskin dominating the rebounds at both ends, the lead moved to 29-18. Mystics replied with the next four before Southend’s pressure defence took over the game. In the final three minutes of the quarter, they scored 11 unanswered points to take a commanding 40-22 lead at the half time interval.

After Manchester had the opening two points of the third quarter, Southend gave some idea of their all round abilities. Starting with a Hannah Culwick three-pointer (her second of the morning) they outscored their illustrious opponents by 16 points to 2 over the remainder of the quarter to lead 56-26 going into the final period; Culwick contributing seven and Rodgers six. Two Whitby baskets started a 12-2 run that took the lead to 40 after three minutes. A Katie Doubleday three-pointer was the icing on the cake as Southend recorded an outstanding win by 76 points to 36, with all 12 players getting court time. Rodgers 21 points, Whitby 16, Gaskin 15 and Culwick 12 leading the scoring.

So the final game in all girls competitions for season 2007/2008 saw perennial rivals Southend Swifts and Haringey Angels meet in the under 16 National Final at RAF Cosford. Both teams had been in the same regional division where they had met three times with Southend being victors on two occasions.

In front of a capacity crowd, Hannah Culwick scored an early three-pointer to settle the nerves and a three-point play from Jennie Rodgers helped Swifts to a 7-3 lead. Some sharp officiating was not helping the flow of the game and Southend were forced to withdraw Culwick who had three personal fouls in the first three minutes. A procession of foul shots for both teams saw the score at just 10-7 after five minutes and a 6-2 spell for Angels took them 13-12 ahead. The introduction of Kitty Hall saw her with four quick points and an outrageous three-pointer from captain Francesca Whitby took the Essex side 18-15 ahead going into the final minute. Haringey replied with one foul shot but a Rodgers three-pointer and a Katie Doubleday fast break basket on the buzzer gave Swifts a 23-16 lead at the end of the first quarter. Five points from Rodgers (including another trey) made it 28-18 as Christina Gaskin dominated the rebounds against taller opposition. A change of defence started to reap rewards as two steals from Doubleday were part of another 8-2 run that led to a 38-24 half time lead.

Both teams struggled to score at the start of the third period, registering just two points apiece in the first three minutes, and with Rodgers having left the action having collected her 4th personal foul. But in a remarkable two minute period Culwick twice and Hall scored three point shots to take Southend to a 49-28 lead. Angels hit back with a 7-2 run but Culwick scored her 3rd long-range attempt of the quarter that saw her team lead 54-37 going into the final stanza. But a 17 point lead was not enough to ensure any kind of comfort against a club renowned for their fighting spirit. And so it proved as Haringey made an 8-2 run that brought the score back to 56-45 and the crowd noise at a crescendo. Swifts called time out to make some changes and to re-introduce Rodgers into the fray. The next four minutes would show why this is an outstanding group of players. With all of the pressure on them, they scored 13 unanswered points as they turned magnificent defensive into superb attack; Gaskin with two superb lay-ups and Rodgers with five being inspirational at the offensive end. This also saw Haringey’s 6’ 3” centre Temi Fagbenie leave the game with 5 fouls as captain Whitby bravely took the charging foul. Angels managed their first basket in four minutes but six points from Rodgers, including her third three-pointer of the afternoon, took the lead out to 76-50 and allowed Swifts the luxury of withdrawing their starting players to rapturous applause from the crowd. Angels 8-2 run in the final two minutes was to no avail as Swifts ended up deserved victors by 78 points to 58 to record a famous treble.

Jennie Rodgers was awarded the most valuable player of the game trophy with 25 points, 5 rebounds and three steals with Christina Gaskin on 18 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals but once again this was a magnificent team effort.

Southend Swifts; Emma Scudder, Abbey Keys, Francesca Whitby (captain), Maisie Elston, Kitty Hall, Jennie Rodgers, Grace Keys, Emily Robson, Ella Rees, Katie Doubleday, Christina Gaskin, Hannah Culwick, Ellie Shaxon.