Myerscough basketballers go for double national title glory

The 2025/26 EABL Academy League Finals take place on Thursday at Essex Sports Arena.

It’s all-North West clash between Manchester Magic and Myerscough College as the EABL (Elite Academy Basketball League) final brings down the curtain on another Academy season.

Two North Conference sides meet for a third instalment of their season series as Manchester Magic and Myerscough College go head-to-head.

Separated by the barest of margins during the regular season, the duo both went 9-1 and traded away games for their only losses of the campaign so far.

Manchester won 71-60 in Myerscough in mid-October, with 'Sco repaying the favour in Manchester in January, coming out on top 78-71.

Magic's 11-point win trumped Myerscough's seven-point victory, sending the North crown Manchester's way, but both games highlight just how well-matched these two North West rivals are.

Myerscough is looking to add to previous EABL successes, following victory in 2014/15, plus a shared win in 2019/20 with Barking in the COVID-shortened campaign.

Myerscough are also five-time beaten finalists - including last year when they went down to eventual champs Barking Abbey.

Barking were beaten by Myerscough 75-64 to open the playoffs before a victory against South Conference winners CoLA 70-68.

Myerscough head coach Lewis Scott said: "Making a final means a lot. It’s great that these boys get to have a moment. It's exactly what they deserve.

"I'm proud, excited, and really looking forward to the occasion. The quality on both sides should make for an exciting final."

Meanwhile, the Dynamik National School Finals take place at the same venue on Wednesday.

The competition sees the top sides from across the national secondary school and further education basketball landscape compete. No players who are registered to play in the EABL are permitted to play in the competition, meaning even more Myerscough students get the opportunity to win a national title.

The U19 Men's finale is a repeat of last season, with Myerscough beating then-named John Madejski Academy, now Hartland High School, 82-65 last year, to go into the final as defending champions.

We wish both teams the very best of luck this week!