Basketball Champions

Our Year 5 and 6 Basketball team took part in the Hoops for Health tournament. It took place on the court where the Cheshire Phoenix play their matches. 

To have the privilege of playing in front of the large crowd at half time in the Phoenix match, we had to win the pre-tournament before the match. We were looking to improve on last year's performance where we didn't score a single point. With the purchase of the basketball hoops, we have spent a long time practising shooting in readiness for this tournament. 

In our first match we started well and the shooting practise payed off. Jonnie scored early on and the match finished with a 4 - 0 win. Our next match was a real battle; we took an early lead and clung on to win. Our third match was a real tense affair. Having gone  2 - 0 down, Emily Russell decided to really turn it on and scored twice for a 4 - 2 lead. However, in the last seconds they equalised so it ended in a draw. In the last match, a draw was enough to get through and it ended 0 - 0. The final at half time now awaited. 

As we took to the court, it was a mixture of excitement and nervous tension. We started well and there were chances for Oliver, Jonnie and Emily but it just wouldn't go in. As the seconds ticked down, you could cut the tension with a knife! Our opponents, St Peter's, broke through in the dying seconds. As the clock counted down to zero they shot. Time stood still as it bounced around the rim, but it missed. The dreaded sudden death penalty shoot out followed. 

Jonnie and Emily bravely stepped up for our team. St Peters went first - it didn't even touch the rim and went straight in. Emily was fearless! She stepped up, took one deep breathe and took the shot. It hit the back board and spun around the rim again and again and again. The team held its breathe; the crowd held its breathe. Then, it dropped. The whole place erupted! We were still in it! 

St Peters then missed their next penalty. Jonnie stepped up knowing we were one shot away from being champions. To watch him, there were no nerves. He bounced the ball and then took the shot.......

It didn't even touch the sides! The team flooded onto the court to celebrate with Jonnie and Emily. It was an absolutely amazing afternoon and we were deserved winners. Now the champion of champions tournament awaits in April.