# Under 16 Boys Fly to Final Fours

- Link: https://www.newhamyoungbloods.co.uk/2015/04/under-16-boys-fly-to-final-fours/
- Published: 2015-04-25T13:31:32+01:00
- Author: admin

Following on from their 2^(nd) Round Playoff win last week against Hertfordshire
Warriors, the Under 16 Boys of Newham Youngbloods, now in action in the Playoff 
Quarter-Finals against Newcastle Eagles as both teams battled it out to make the
prestigious Basketball England National Final Fours taking place in Sheffield on
the 2^(nd) May.

⌊IfyChuckDunksTheBallInTraffic⌉⌊IfyChuckDunksTheBallInTraffic⌉Youngbloods won the
tip and converted the first fours chances of the game with **Rayon Brown**’s steals
contributing to the first 6 points of the game for the Home side as they went on
an early 8-0 run to quickly silence the visiting support from Newcastle. Newcastle
hit back with a three point shot and followed by one from close range as the Eagles
gained momentum and went on a 10-0 run to gain the first lead of the game. **Jonathan
Ragasa** hit a 3 point shot to restore Youngbloods lead which Newcastle quickly 
gained back.

A strong drive to the basket from **Joel Osei** resulted in a foul as he converted
one from the free throw line, **Jelani Watson-Gayle** hitting finding his way to
the hole and **Ify Chuks** strong dunk over a Newcastle defender as they combined
well for the next 8 points with the Home Team building their first double digit 
lead of the game. Chuks continued to dominate on the boards as he scored the last
two basket of the quarter with Youngbloods leading 28-18.

Newcastle started the second quarter and scored immediately from the inbounds to
cut Newham’ lead to single digits. Once again a run of points as **Nathan Moyo**
and Watson-Gayle combined well as they scored 10 points together over the first 
three minutes of the second quarter helped Youngbloods to establish an 18 point 
lead midway through the first before Newcastle hit back with a two from close range.
3s from **Mark Sotto** and Ragasa continued to pile on the misery for the Eagles
as Newham reached the half a century mark.

**Oscar Turner⌊RayonBrownPentratingToTheBasket⌉** secured the rebound following 
a missed shot and put in to score as another run of 8 points from the home side 
with **Aaron Martin** and **Jelani Lewis** combining well as Lewis attacked through
the middle of the defence scoring of a silky move. Youngbloods went in to the half
time break 60-33 leading comfortably and controlling the game, however they could
not let complacency creep in.

A score from Jelani Lewis started the third quarter for Youngbloods just as it did
the first, however a defence lapse allowed Newcastle to score from deep and inside.
Watson-Gayle and Ragasa brought control back to the game as Watson-Gayle nailed 
from deep with Chuks contributing the next 6 points as he continued to convert from
close range. Rayon Brown urged patience in the Youngbloods offense and great control
showed as Youngbloods’ **Alfie Murray**, Turner and Martin all scored in the last
minute of the third to close out the quarter in Newham’s favour 83-44.

With sights firmly set on Final Fours and encounters that future round will bring
Youngbloods continued to run through their offensive sets, and was scoring at will
as Moyo continued to cause havoc for the Eagle defence as he controlled the game
on the inside. Sotto scored as soon as he came on midway through the third quickly
followed by strong drive to the basket by Martin, as Youngbloods sought the century
score, and he was fouled in transition. He coolly converted the resulting free throws
as Youngbloods reached the century point. The game was closed out by a Rayon Brown
shot from deep to give Youngbloods their Second final fours in two years to emulate
the Under 16 team of last Year. Final Score 103-53

Visibly delighted Under 16 Boys Head Coach **Aaron Senior** said _“the Boys knew
exactly what was required of them today and they delivered. They played very well
from the beginning. We grew as a team this year, and have developed into a team 
to be reckoned with. 2 years and 2 final four appearances a great moment for the
boys and the club. Once again thanks to **St Bonaventure’s** and **St Angela’s**
school for their facilities this year”_

U16 Boys will now go onto face Sheffield Junior Saints in the Semi-Final at the 
Junior National League Final Fours event in Sheffield at the English Institute of
Sport on Saturday 2^(nd) May 2015, 10am tip off.