Rockets’ inaugural Central Venue League came to an end in the most dramatic of finales on Sunday, with The Bears eking out a narrow victory courtesy of a free throw in the final seconds.
The Bears then found a late basket to pull away to an eventual 25-22 victory against the second-placed Eagles, marking the end of our first Under-16 Central Venue League.
Bears finished the league on top winning an impressive 8 of their 10 league fixtures and finishing as the highest-scoring team in the league.
They started the final days’ fixtures with a tight victory over the Sharks winning by 5 points, 24-29.
The Bears then beat the Bulls by a commanding 11 points margin, winning 32-21.
The final pitted the competition’s two premier teams against each other as the Bears took on the Eagles, who finished the day in second place winning 7 of their 10 league games.
The CVL has overseen the development of many Under 16 players over the previous 5 weeks.
A tightly contested final ensued with both sides going point for point down the stretch before the dramatic climax, befitting of the competitive nature of the competition over the past five weeks.
The league gives players the opportunity to play competitive basketball in an environment that aims to help players develop in a game situation.
Reflecting on the event, CVL Coordinator Coach Ethan Woodward said: “It has gone really well, it’s giving the kids a chance to play which is the most important thing,
“The event keeps kids engaged in basketball, and it’s a way of keeping them fit which is also really important,
“The games have been excellent to be a part of as we have seen some great development over the past weeks”.
The Rockets’ CVL is back very soon starting up again from Sunday 24th July. This will feature two leagues, the Under 16’s league will return alongside a brand new Under 19’s league.
Coach Woodward expressed his desire to get straight back into CVL action.
“I can’t wait to start again,” he said.
“I want to keep the momentum going and keep the level of attraction the kids have got for the game going,
“I am incredibly excited to get started again”.