Defenders hold off Tigers in sole Division One test!
It was a good week for Yardley Defenders, as they put themselves atop the ‘best of the rest’ in Division One with a hard-fought victory over Tamworth Tigers.
With Arden Griffins and Tile Hill set for a grandstand finish in the coming months, each with an identical 7-2 record, it’s a real battle for bronze in the top division of Warwickshire – barring some major drop off from the top two.
And it was Yardley who put themselves in a great position to claim that prize by besting Tamworth 71-66, lifting themselves to 17 points for the season so far in the process.
Tigers do have the chance to roar back ahead given they’ve played two fewer games so far, but it makes for an exciting battle for sure between the pair as the season comes to its conclusion in a few months’ time.
In Division Two, there was a full slate of fixtures, with Tile Hill 2 getting the better of JM Grizzlies.
Nuneaton Nomads were a single point from dropping a tonne on Trojans 3, staying right on the heels of Coventry Tornadoes Blue, who themselves beat Rugby Royals 62-50.
Elsewhere, there were victories for Nuneaton Predators and Westwood Rhinos, with the four-way tussle atop the standings showing little sign of slowing down.
News
A call to players
The league has noticed a number of overly aggressive fouls committed by players across games and divisions in recent weeks. It’s vital that fouls committed outside the scope of sportsmanlike play will be punished accordingly by the league.
Not only do overly aggressive fouls (including elbows) bring the game we love into disrepute, but it also risks potentially serious injury to players. It’s crucial that teammates and coaches help maintain the standards of play regarding fouls and behaviour on-court.
Players are reminded that a disqualifying foul incurs an instant two-match suspension. Referee’s reports are also sought when fouls like this are committed.
Potential over 17s league for 2024/25
The WBA committee are considering the best method of keeping over 17s involved in the local league. The target group is 18–21 to cover those at university.
Several possible options were discussed, including expanding the Youth league, creating another Senior Division and an alternate format for the age group competition.
Opinions are to be sought at the AGM Forum but interest in participation is sought now.
If you think you could field a team within this criteria and have thoughts about the age range and format please email info@warwickshirebasketball.co.uk.
The Bear Facts
A reminder that from this season, the Bear Facts is now available to all via the Warwickshire Basketball Website. The emailed version has now ended, with a link to the online article sent to all on the mailing list.
The weekly round-up will be produced in tandem with a full match report from a select game each week, including quotes and photos (when possible).
Scoresheet submissions
Clubs are reminded to please send pictures of scoresheets to info@warwickshirebasketball.co.uk or youthleague@warwickshirebasketball.co.uk in JPEG format as soon as possible after completing your fixtures.
Clubs are also urged to ensure scoresheets are filled out in full, with headings, quarter and final scores included.
The league is also aware that some clubs are not providing full equipment for table officials. Can clubs please ensure that foul markers, sound devices, scoresheets, scoreboards and possession arrows are all provided for officials to use properly. Clubs are informed that equipment is available to purchase on the BE website.
Player Registrations
Clubs in both the WBA senior and youth league are reminded that using non-registered players in their teams will result in a fine. Now the league has started, WBA will start reviewing licence numbers. Where these are missing or are just membership numbers, fines are now being imposed.
Also, in regards to the Handicap Cup, no player will be allowed to switch between teams in any cup, shield or other handicap competition without express permission of the league or competition secretary in writing.
Respect the ref!
There have been several examples of disrespect and the heckling of officials. All clubs are reminded that we as a league are struggling to recruit and retain referees, and that this behaviour is not helpful in that. Please ensure that players respect the call when its made, and approach referees to discuss decisions in the correct manner.
Fixtures
Division One
Date | Tip | Venue | Home Team | Away Team | Referee | Umpire | Match No. |
Monday, January 29th | 8.15pm | Tile Cross Academy, Gressel Lane, Tile Cross, Birmingham B33 9UF | Arden Griffins | Yardley Defenders | Ian Pursglove | Geoff Garwood | 1.29 |
Monday, January 29th | 8.15pm | Woodlands Sports Complex, Broad Lane, Coventry CV5 7FF | Coventry Tornadoes 1 | Tile Hill Trojans 1 | Shaun Williams | Steven Yu | 1.30 |
Friday, February 2 | 7.20pm | Ashlawn School, Ashlawn Rd, Hillmorton, Rugby CV22 5ET | Rugby Rage | Tamworth Tigers | Tony Bates | Phil John | 1.31 |
Division Two
Date | Tip | Venue | Home Team | Away Team | Referee | Umpire | Match No. |
Monday, January 29th | 7.20pm | Hereward College, Bramston Crescent, Tile Hill, Coventry CV4 9SW | Tile Hill Trojans 2 | Nuneaton Predators | Garry Kearsley | Rusen Cavusoglu | 2.62 |
Tuesday, January 30th | 8.20pm | Sydney Stringer Academy, 2 Primrose Hill Street, Coventry CV1 5LY | Warwick China Red | Coventry Tornadoes White | Paul North | Clive Burgess | 2.63 |
Tuesday, January 30th | 7.45pm | Aylesford School, Tapping Way, Warwick CV34 6XR | JM Grizzlies | Nuneaton Nomads | Greg Halder | Garry Kearsley | 2.64 |
Thursday, February 1st | 8.15pm | Finham Park 2, Torrington Avenue, Coventry CV4 9WT | Coventry Tornadoes Blue | Westwood Rhinos | Clive Burgess | Dave Jenkinson | 2.65 |
Thursday, February 1st | 7.20pm | Hereward College, Bramston Crescent, Tile Hill, Coventry CV4 9SW | Tile Hill Trojans 3 | Rugby Royals | Ian Pursglove | Emeka Ikwueze | 2.66 |
Youth Leagues
Date | Tip | Age group | Venue | Home Team | Away Team | Match No. |
Saturday, January 27 | 1.20PM | U13 | Moreton Morrell College, CV35 9BP | Warwickshire Hawks | Solihull Griffins | A50 |
Saturday, January 27 | 10.20AM | U13 | Arrowvale Sports Centre, Green Sward Lane, Redditch, B98 0EN | Redditch | Birmingham Mets | A53 |
Saturday, January 27 | 3.30pm | U15 (Pool 1) | Moreton Morrell College, CV35 9BP | Warwickshire Hawks | Redditch | B24 |
Sunday, January 28 | 3.20pm | U15 (Pool 1) | The George Eliot Academy, Raveloe Dr, Nuneaton | Nuneaton Predators | Bromsgrove Bears | B26 |
Saturday, January 27 | 12pm | U15 (Pool 2) | Sutton Coldfield College B74 2NW | Birmingham Mets | Coventry Tornadoes Blue | B63 |
Friday, January 26 | 6pm | U17 (Pool 2) | Colmers School & Sixth Form College, Bristol Road South, Rednal, Birmingham | Bromsgrove Bears 1 | Birmingham Mets | C47 |
Saturday, January 27 | 3.30pm | U17 (Pool 2) | Stechford Leisure Centre, Station Road, Stechford, Birmingham B33 8QN | Yardley Defenders | Solihull Griffins | C30 |
Results
Division One
Date | Tip | Venue | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Referee | Umpire | Match No. |
Tuesday, January 23 | 8.15pm | Tile Cross Academy, Gressel Lane, Tile Cross, Birmingham B33 9UF | Yardley Defenders | 71-66 | Tamworth Tigers | Ian Pursglove | Shaun Williams | 1.20 |
Division Two
Date | Tip | Venue | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Referee | Umpire | Match No. |
Monday, January 22 | 8.15pm | Hereward College, Bramston Crescent, Tile Hill, Coventry CV4 9SW | Tile Hill Trojans II | 70-62 | JM Grizzlies | Dave Reynolds | Steven Yu | 2.57 |
Tuesday, January 23 | 8.20pm | Jubilee Sports Centre, Greenmoor Rd, Nuneaton CV10 7EZ | Nuneaton Nomads | 99-59 | Tile Hill Trojans III | Phil John | Greg Halder | 2.58 |
Thursday, January 25 | 8.15pm | Finham Park 2, Torrington Avenue, Coventry CV4 9WT | Coventry Tornadoes White | 40-61 | Nuneaton Predators | Emeka Ikwueze | Rusen Cavusoglu | 2.59 |
Thursday, January 25 | 8.20pm | XCEL Centre, Mitchell Avenue, Canley, Coventry CV4 8DY | Westwood Rhinos | 72-41 | Warwick China Red | Clive Burgess | Dave Jenkinson | 2.60 |
Friday, January 26 | 8.15pm | Rugby School Sports Centre, Horton Crescent, Rugby CV22 5DJ | Rugby Royals | 50-62 | Coventry Tornadoes Blue | Tony Bates | Garry Kearsley | 2.61 |
Youth Leagues
Date | Tip | Age group | Venue | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Match No. |
Saturday January 20 | 11am | U13 | Barr’s Hill School, Radford Road, Coventry, CV1 4BU | Coventry Elite | 28-52 | Redditch | A45 |
Saturday January 20 | 12pm | U13 | Sutton Coldfield College B74 2NW | Birmingham Mets | TBC | Nuneaton Predators | A46 |
Sunday January 21 | 1.15pm | U13 | Woodlands Sports Complex, Broad Ln, Coventry CV5 7FF, UK | Coventry Tornadoes Blue | 60-70 | Warwickshire Hawks | A47 |
Saturday January 20 | 1.30pm | U15 (Pool 1) | Stechford Leisure Centre, Station Road, Stechford, Birmingham B33 8QN | Yardley Defenders | 46-38 | Redditch | B25 |
Saturday January 20 | 3.15pm | U15 (Pool 2) | Woodlands Sports Complex, Broad Ln, Coventry CV5 7FF, UK | Coventry Tornadoes Blue | 88-20 | Solihull Griffins | B51 |
Sunday January 21 | 3.20pm | U17 (Pool 1) | The George Eliot Academy, Raveloe Dr, Nuneaton | Nuneaton Predators | 63-72 | Redditch | C18 |
Saturday January 20 | 3.30pm | U17 (Pool 2) | Stechford Leisure Centre, Station Road, Stechford, Birmingham B33 8QN | Yardley Defenders | 66-28 | Birmingham Mets | C44 |
League Tables
League tables can be found via the links below:
Youth Leagues
U13: https://www.warwickshirebasketball.co.uk/table/u13/
U15 (Pool 1): https://www.warwickshirebasketball.co.uk/table/u15-pool-1/
U15 (Pool 2): https://www.warwickshirebasketball.co.uk/table/u15-pool-2/
U17 (Pool 1): https://www.warwickshirebasketball.co.uk/table/u17-pool-1/
U17 (Pool 2): https://www.warwickshirebasketball.co.uk/table/u17-pool-2/
Reminder: Re-training as a referee or table official
Fancy helping basketball in Warwickshire? Why not re-train as a referee or table official?
Both are crucial to having our league operate, and we’re always on the lookout for more! So, if you have the desire to give back to the game of basketball – please do so!
Online courses are available for both referees and table officials through Basketball England, and are available to those 16 years or older, with each one taking between 4-6 hours to complete. For those assisting Warwickshire Basketball, the league will reimburse a portion of the costs for these courses on completion of three league fixtures following qualification.
Hawks downed by Nottingham
Over in the National League Division Three, it was a painful trip to the East Midlands for Warwickshire Hawks, who were off their best in their defeat to high-flying Nottingham.
Hawks started the clash strong, leading after the first period, but the hosts applied the pressure over the second stanza to turn the tables on Luke Freer’s charges, taking a lead which they wouldn’t surrender for the remainder of the clash ahead of half-time.
It was a stuttering performance from the Warwickshire side, who will hope they can re-capture their form heading into the crunch fixtures of the season.
Links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ybl_basketball/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ybl_basketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YBLOfficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKOxX9mb00UUvBQ5Bn6RuIw