Category: Elite U16

Elite at X-Mass tournament in Belgium

As a history of tournament goes back to 2007, it is well established and known tournament that attracts teams from across the globe. This year edition brings teams from USA, Canada, Spain, Serbia, Germany and many more.

As London Elite season is fully underway in domestic and International leagues, we have fantastic news for our younger age groups as U12, U14 and U16 teams will take part in probably biggest youth basketball tournament in Europe which takes place 27th-29th December in beautiful town Kortrijk,Belgium.

Director of X-Mas Tournament Peter De Lepeleire said:” As organizer of the 2019 Aquarius X-Mas Tournament i warmly welcome one of the biggest basketball clubs in London to their event.During the three days of competitions, they will compete against opponents from Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada and 14 other countries.We hope it will be an outstanding experience for them ! “

Our U12 team has successfully started their Division 1 CBL league and currently sit on top of table. At tournament in Belgium our boys will face two Belgium teams, BBC Oostkamp and home team Kortrijk Spurs. Teams from Belgium, Netherland, Romania and Switzerland participate in tournament alongside our boys.

Coach Matt Williams cannot wait for the Belgium trip – “to experience European tournament play against high calibre competition show how far London Elite and UK basketball has progressed. A true opportunity for all age groups to bond and grow. This is a fantastic opportunity to evaluate and for coaches and players to step back and understand the reason why we are family club for the community”. U14 boys team will face Basketball ACA Amsterdam and teams from Belgium: Belfius Mons Hainaut and Antwerp Giants.

U16 teams is also enjoying undefeated start of their season while preparing to their first international trip. Head Coach Mauro Di Nunzio said:” We are looking forward to play the X-Mas tournament because the boys will play in a competitive environment and it only means we are getting better. I am quite sure that the boys will give the heart and hustle possession by possession. “

Our U16 boys in group stage will face teams from Belgium: Antwerp Giants, and Spalding Selection and German SC Rist Wedel.

Our Head Coach and Director of London Elite said:”to be part of such an amazing tournament is just a privilege to our club. It shows the journey we have made in the last 6 months and what is a true philosophy of London Elite family”

All players and coaches will travel on executive 57 seater coach provided by Dhillon of London to whom we would like to say massive: Thank You!

All live updates will be posted on Instagram and Facebook so please head to our social media for all updates!

IT IS JUST A BEGINNING.

Two of our boys teams took part in Hoop Dreams tournament which took place on 1st December at beautiful ACS Cobham venue.

Both squads are building on a successful start of the season as they started top Division of CBL London with perfect 2-0 record. Having done intensive preseason and played numerous friendlies our squads entered competitive tournament organised on monthly basis.

First two group games our squads won in convincing way. U16 beat Sevenoaks Suns and Bracknell Cobras booking their spot in final. Our younger team faced Richmond Knights and Woking Blackhawks and collected 2 solid wins on their way to the final.

U12 had their own final played first, facing Bracknell Cobras. Despite great effort from Cobras team our boys showed a great team effort and an offence execution, winning their first ever final and collecting first club ever trophy!

U12 Head Coach Daniel Szatkowski said: “it was a very beneficial day for us, great opportunity to rotate all players providing needed experience. Great to see boys collecting first ever trophy but i am more then sure this is just a beginning.”

Their older friends faced challenging game from Kingston Wildcats in final of their own. As result was tie at Half time, it was coach Mauro team they picked more intensity in 2nd half claiming 2nd trophy of the day winning by 8 points.

Head Coach Mauro said:” We are still learning and it is longer process. I am happy with effort boys put but we have lots to work on.”

Next game for U16 will be in CBL Division 1 as they face London Halos while our younger boys will visit high caliber tournament organised by Zoo Crew on 21st December.

U16 start their season with perfect record.

London Elite U16 has started their season in the best possible way. With two games back to back we had to face two well organized teams which provided our young squad really challenging task ahead.

In first ever competitive game together our boys faced Barnett Bulldog. From a very first whistle our boys used full court press to reduce opponents freedome on offence as Bulldogs were run by extremely talented G.Kalazis who put phenomenal 30 points against our side. However our boys showed no fear and played through all difficulties showing great team spirit.

Led by trio A.Wildish, N.Soberano and A.Atakpu our team established themselves 14 point lead and controlled the game to the end claiming their first ever victory 46-40. As we had no rest we jumped straight into 2nd game against south east London side, Greenwich Admirals.

Our side started off with struggling to find a correct rhythm, individual foul trouble situation was not helping our team to establish themselves with right performance throughout whole first half, holding on to 1 point lead at HT. However our U16 team has great depth in squad with lots of talent on roster.

This proven too much for Greenwich side, as Soberano and Atakpu closed the game with clinic plays to establish few point win while Finton Phillips hit a very important 3 pointer to seal the game. Boys Started their league with perfect 2 wins out of 2 games! well done!

u16_elite_joined

Top scorers vs Barnett Bulldogs:

A.Wildish 12 (2), N.Soberano 11 (2), M.Kitovas 8, A.Atakpu 8, N.Khostkhadei 3, D.Kvashin 2, F.Phillips 2, D.Arroyo 0, M. Ardoi 0,

Top scorers vs Greenwich Admirals:

Boys will look to build on on perfect start while they compete in Hoop Dream London tournament on 1st December at ACS Cobham.

A.Atakpu 12, N.Soberano 11, A.Wildish 8, S.Jones 5, F.Phillips 5,T.Fasil 2 D.Kvashin 1, M.Kitovas 0, N.Khostkhadei 0, D.Arroyo 0,