Nottingham Academy student-athletes crowned national basketball champions
Student-athletes from Nottingham Academy are celebrating after the Nottingham Wildcats U18 Women’s team was crowned national champions at the Final Fours Tournament in Manchester.
The team, which includes five Year 12 and six Year 13 Nottingham Academy students, secured its place in the final after a thrilling 73-71 victory against Ipswich in the semi-final – a long-anticipated rematch of the National Cup Final in January during which Ipswich was victorious.
The team then faced City of London Academy in the final, where they delivered another outstanding performance, securing a 62-58 win and officially become the best U18 Women’s basketball team in the country.
Over the course of the season, the Wildcats U18 Women demonstrated resilience, teamwork and determination, helping them secure this incredibly victory. Along the way, standout achievements included:
Being undefeated in the Women’s Elite Academy Basketball League (WEABL) Northern Conference and being crowned Northern Conference Champions.
Being undefeated in the U18 Women’s Northern Premier League and being crowned Northern Premier Champions.
Being U18 Women National Cup Finalists.
Additionally, two Year 13 Players have secured scholarships in the USA to study and play NCAA Basketball next season. Tiarna Chambers-Desmond will attend the University of North Carolina Greensboro on a full athletic scholarship, playing in the Southern Conference in NCAA Division 1.; while Kosi Anyanwu will attend Mercy University on a full athletic scholarship, playing in the East Coast Conference in NCAA Division 2.
Siobhán Prior, Head Coach of the Nottingham Wildcats U18 Women and Director of Basketball at Nottingham Academy, said: “I’m very happy for the players and their achievements this year. As with all achievements, this hasn’t been an easy road. It has been a long season with many challenges.
“What I am most proud of is the growth in our young people. With the immense support of school, the sixth form team and the basketball staff, these young women have been brave, resilient, open minded and empathetic to themselves and those around them and it has enabled them to take risks and show up when it has mattered most. They met the moment together and they will forever be able to call themselves National Champions.”
Jessie Elbaz, Executive Principal at Nottingham Academy, said: “We are incredibly proud of our Nottingham Wildcats players and everything they have achieved. To be crowned national champions is a remarkable accomplishment and reflects the hard work, commitment and talent of every player involved.
“The students represented Nottingham Academy brilliantly throughout the tournament, showing so much teamwork and determination at the very highest level. This is a fantastic moment for both the team and our wider school community.”