We’ve been here before:
🏆 U14 National League Champions
🚍 Final Four appearances with both U14 & U18
But for our U16s, it’s always been just out of reach—exiting in the quarter-finals year after year.
Until now.
It all began in May 2023, when our incredibly talented U14 squad lost to Manchester Magic in the semi finals of the Final Four, severely disadvantaged due to an unlucky but serious injury to starting point guard Kaya Birsen. One year later in May 2024, our U14’s, many who are now U15’s and play U16, defeated Manchester Magic to claim the National League Championship. When that core group, including stars like Kaya Birsen and Daniel Olusanya, composed the U16 team this year—we knew something special was forming.
The final piece of the puzzle for the U16’s?
🏀 Coach Daniel James.
With his arrival, the project felt complete.
The Season: Progress Through Adversity
Despite early setbacks, including injuries to key players like Zan Milovidow and Kaya Birsen, our young squad—mostly made up of U15s—began to click. They battled through the league, losing only four games all season, and secured the 10th seed heading into playoffs.
Some saw that as an overachievement, others as just the beginning. One thing was certain:
We made the playoffs—our first major goal.
First Round: Milton Keynes Breakers (Away)
Our U16s hit the road to face the 3rd-seeded Milton Keynes Breakers, a powerhouse that also reached the U16 Sure Shot Cup Final.
The first half saw the Breakers take a 6-point lead and control much of the tempo. But Coach James made the right adjustments, and the second half was all Elite.
A strong team effort led to an 87-71 win, with four players in double figures:
Leo Bowman – 19 pts
Kaya Birsen – 15 pts
Zan Milovidow – 13 pts
Daniel Olusanya – 10 pts
🎥 Watch the highlights from our Milton Keynes victory [here]
Quarter-Final: Manchester Magic (Away)
Then came the true test:
An away trip to Manchester Magic, unbeaten at home all season, last year’s U16 champions, and one of the most decorated youth basketball clubs in the UK. Their U16 team featured multiple GB national players—a real trial by fire.
But our boys were ready.
We exploded out of the gate with a 7–0 run in the first minute, with scores from Olusanya, Bowman, and a big three from Will Harper. By the end of Q1, we led 28–16 with eight different players already on the scoresheet.
The second quarter turned into a shootout, but back-to-back threes from Olly Reynolds helped us maintain control, finishing the half ahead 43–30.
Coach James’ halftime talk clearly hit home. Our third quarter was a defensive masterclass, holding Manchester to just 9 points and stretching our lead to 58–39.
Though Magic rallied in the fourth to cut the lead to single digits, a clutch timeout and quick bucket from Pawel Obadowski helped seal the lead which we did not give up to the final whistle.
The final score was 62-75 and yet, another proof of our team’s capability.
You can watch highlights from Magic game here
Final Four, Here We Come!
Mark your calendars:
📍 Manchester
📅 May 4–5, 2025
🔥 U16 Final Four
We’re making history—and we’re just getting started.
