This year has marked a strong chapter in the journey of the Earlscliffe Basketball Academy – our most successful season to date!
We are super proud of our players who have shown courage and commitment as they have built the Earlscliffe name in the basketball arena.
This year our team stepped onto the court in official league competition, holding their own against seasoned academy programmes that have been established for over five years. Not only did we compete, but we also made it to the County Play-Offs and reached the Quarter Finals of the U19 County Cup – an incredible achievement for a team in its inaugural league season.
The team chemistry has flourished – an important aspect of the Academy, considering Earlscliffe’s core value of community. These players joined us as a group of individuals from all around they world, but they quickly became a united squad with a truly supportive, competitive atmosphere. With new players joining in 2024, we went from strength-to-strength.
Coach Stuart says, “Every single Earlscliffe student played a vital role in this success, and we’d like to give a well-deserved mention to Xavier, Jayden, Osa, Mino, Artimey, Phillipe, Sanzhar, and AJ. Your commitment, growth, and passion for the game have been nothing short of inspiring.”
Beyond our domestic competition, several players took their talents to the next level:
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Xavier and Jayden travelled to France to compete in an elite U20 tournament with Saints Basketball Club, gaining valuable international experience. They also received scholarship offers from a US university with campus’ in Madrid who combine academic ambition with basketball focus.
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Jayden, Xavier, AJ, and Osa also represented the Saints Basketball U18 National League team, showcasing their abilities on a national platform.
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Mary had a standout debut season with the Saints U18 Women’s National League team, and we’re confident she’ll be a key player next season.
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Mara and Gesi demonstrated significant progress throughout the year, developing both their technical skills and basketball IQ during training sessions.
Balancing such high levels of athletic performance with the academic demands at Earlscliffe is no easy feat, yet every player rose to the challenge with determination and drive. The effort and intensity shown throughout the season – during both training and matches – has set a new benchmark for what’s possible.
One of the major highlights of the year were our two trips to see the London Lions, the UK’s top professional basketball team. These visits offered our students a front-row seat to the highest level of the sport in the country. The first game saw the Lions’ incredible winning streak come to an end in a thrilling 83–87 clash with the Surrey Scorchers. In the second game, the Lions bounced back in a close contest against Manchester, securing a 78–73 win.
These professional matches gave our players an unforgettable insight into the intensity, discipline, and skill required at the top level and fuelled their own ambition to push further, train harder, and dream bigger.
This has been a season full of firsts, growth, and unforgettable moments. We can’t wait to build on it in the year ahead.
Well done, team. The future is bright.
