NASSAs under-16 team retained their National Cup with a 95-64 victory over Derby Trailblazers

Newham All Star Sports Academy (NASSA) retained their National under-16 Basketball Cup for the second year in succession with a 95-64 victory over Derby Trailblazers.

NASSA have Active Newham to thank for making it possible to travel to the Amaechi Basketball Centre in Manchester at the weekend for the final and they ended the first quarter with an 11-point lead.

But the Trailblazers fought back well and it was a level game at 29-29 during the second quarter.

However, NASSA turned up the heat with two well-placed free throws courtesy of captain Jonathan James.

Further baskets were spread throughout the team as Sydney Ekyio, Rytis Balciunas, Tyler Johnson, Benjamin Maranan, Moses Byekwaso and Calvin Kintu helped NASSA to stay ahead.

The third quarter opened with more action from NASSA, demonstrating their superior ball handling skills with fast breaks and good defensive plays.

Further baskets during the third and fourth quarter from James Ansell-Melville, Akwasi Yeboah, Abby Byekwaso, Jay Jarett, and Adomas Zemgulis helped NASSA to clinch the title for the second year in the row with a final score of 95-64.

James, a Rokeby School pupil, finished as the top scorer with 36 points and the Most Valuable Player for the match.

NASSA director Natasha Hart was unsurprisingly delighted, saying: “NASSA’s under-16 team should feel very proud, they played well and gave it their all. To win a medal and be considered the strongest team in the country is a solid achievement.

“The season continues for our other under-16 boys’ team and we will work hard over the next few weeks to be ready for play-off games and the National finals.”