September 14th – Coach Alister Geddes
After some considerable absence from the top tier of Scottish Youth Basketball the season 2013-14 saw City Cadets win promotion to Division 1 and last season City Juniors accomplished the same feat. So on Saturday 12th September 2015 at St Andrews Secondary, Glasgow City entertained the Tayside Musketeers in the opening games of both the under 16 AND 18 Scottish Basketball Championship Division 1 League Campaigns.
The Under 16 Cadet game tipped off first at 11am with the vast majority of the squad making their National League debut. This season will be a tough learning curve for this young squad with many still eligible to play under 14 basketball. The enormity of the task ahead was evident from opening tip when City’s Under 13 Scotland Captain Kieran Man lined up against the Scottish Under 16 6 foot 7 inch centre Harry Morrice. However when the dust settled despite a resounding Tayside win Kieran had managed to outscore Harry. This was an excellent game played in good spirit by both teams. A very competitive opening quarter finished 13-20 to Tayside. An excellent team effort from City throughout ensured that they stayed competitive all game despite Tayside making good on their height advantage and piled on the points. The City boys gave their all, with Kyle Maxwell joining Kieran in spilling their blood on the hardwood floor, but despite all the difficulties the team stayed together. A squad of true basketball warriors, very well done boys and welcome to Division 1 basketball.
Final Score: 39-97
The Under 18 Junior game immediately followed the Cadet game at 1pm. An extremely poor opening quarter ensured that the City Juniors were to experience a frustrating afternoon. Omitting to play team defence left them scoring 11 but conceding 33. The reality of top tier under 18 basketball had just been served by a strong Tayside team who worked hard for each other whilst playing with commitment and purpose. The City team regrouped and began to play with increased intensity and focus, this saw the 2ndquarter tied 20-20 and the third edged by the Muskies 23-26. However with increased tempo and intensity came accumulation of personal fouls and this factor saw the City Juniors again play ‘hesitant defence’ in the fourth and enabled the Muskies to run out worthy winners 71-102.
The Club would like to thank those who assisted with setting up the hall particularly Junior players Alexander Geddes and Andrew Gardiner. We would also like to thank our Table Officials Collette-Anne Geddes; Louise-Anne Geddes; Jim Sinclair and Fraser Joss who filled in at the last gasp for the Cadet game. A huge thank you to all the family and friends who came to support and in particular the Junior Squad members who came down to cheer on the Cadets. A huge thank you to Leigh Man for overseeing the Tuck Shop and the hospitality and conducting on-site ‘training’ to future volunteers and to Gar Mon Man for being our game promoter and cameraman. Thank you to the Janitorial staff of St Andrews and to the floor officials from basketballscotland without whom there wouldn’t be a game.
Next game away to Ayrshire Tornadoes Saturday 19th September.
