Myerscough basketballers shoot for success
- Published
- Monday 31 March
It’s been a busy time for Myerscough College’s basketball students, with another season of success on the court.
The 2025 Dynamik National School Finals lit up Manchester's National Basketball Performance Centre, as Myerscough defeated John Madejski Academy 82-65 to take the U19 title, following up the same success of a year ago in the competition.
Winning each of the first three quarters created a lead that passed the 30-point mark early in the fourth quarter, effectively ending the contest despite JMA taking the last 26-14.
It was a complete performance from the programme, forcing their opponents into 26 turnovers against their own 14, and shooting 27 more times as a result.
Leon Heidenreich-Roberts (18pts, 9reb, 2ast, 2stl, 2blk) did a bit of everything to grab the MVP nod for 'Sco, doing it all in just 17:48 of action off the bench.
Meanwhile, Myerscough College were crowned EABL (Elite Academy Basketball League) North Conference champions for the first time since 2022/23.
Myerscough won eight of their ten league games to top the table, to be number one seeds in the Play Offs.
Following a dramatic 79-77 victory in overtime against JMA Reading Rockets, the Academy made it through to the final of the EABL Playoffs after a 58-46 victory over City of London Academy in the semi-finals, to be in with a chance to be crowned champions of the Elite Academy Basketball League, making the final of the competition for a sixth time.
Up against a very strong side from Barking Abbey, the game ended in a 69-54 defeat, in a season that Myerscough can be enormously proud of once again. Marcus Robinson (19pts, 7reb) and Junior Sanchez (12pts, 14reb) both played well for 'Sco in defeat.
There was individual recognition for Myerscough in the end of season EABL Awards, after some of the great performances from across the last six months.
EABL Coach of the Year went to Neal Hopkins, winning the accolade for a fifth time, adding to previous honours in 2013/14, 2014/15, 2017/18 and 2019/20.
Neal helped guide the Myerscough programme to their first North Conference title since 2022/23, earning praise from fellow coaches for his side's performances and style of play.
In the All EABL Team of the Season, Junior Sanchez (12.7PPG, 7.3RPG, 2.7APG), was chosen, while Myerscough's Marcus Robinson (13.5PPG, 4.9APG) made it into the second team.
