Titans go through hoops to win league play-offs

Newark Titans were crowned the best under-18 basketball team in the area after winning a play-off against Southwell Swish and Newark Vipers on points difference.

The teams had tied at the top of the Newark Under-18 Basketball League.

The Vipers defeated the Titans 28-27 in the opening play-off match at Newark Academy.

Wlodek Lichwa and Josh Messam combined well in the back court for the Vipers with Kieran Hill working hard under the basket.

Then, in what proved to be the vital game, the Titans overcame Southwell 24-18.

Jazz Brown netted their first four points and Titans’ captain James Allen produced three blocks on the defensive end.

Alex South and Lewis Garland were a constant scoring threat and Matt Barnfield worked tirelessly at both ends of the court.

In the final game the Swish’s Ryan Hopkins upped his game and with Harry Fussey and Henry Rodrigues adding height to the attack, the Southwell side beat the Vipers 26-19.

The result left the three teams level with one win and one defeat apiece, but the Titans’ victory over the Swish gave them a better points difference.

Newark Basketball Club are establishing a primary school league to add to the basketball that is on offer for older players.

Training takes place at the Academy’s Lilley and Stone site on Tuesdays and Fridays between 5 and 6pm for children in years 3-6. After-school sessions have been set up in Newark, Coddington and Collingham.

New players are welcome. Anyone interested in playing basketball should e-mail head coach Andrew Coe at dran drewcoe@hotmail.com