With five EABL games and four WEABL ties, it was a healthy slate to start the new term.
Here’s how all the action played out on another exciting Wednesday afternoon.
Itchen get a big win at home to Copleston in their first action of 2024.
— Itchen Basketball (@ItchenBball) January 17, 2024
Will Taylor had 20 points & 13 rebounds whilst Myles Canderton added 16.#KestrelsFamily #GameDay pic.twitter.com/xEYp7PabTd
Myerscough College (6-2) still have their sighs set on top spot in the North and started 2024 with a comfortable 84-54 road win against SGS College (2-7), though a 25-2 final frame put a lopsided slant on what was a more event contest than the final score suggests.
Former Player of the Week Daniel Nwauzu hasn't lost a step during the mid-season break, coming back with a 30 point, 17 rebound double-double in the win.
The Sheffield College (4-3) did their playoff chances no harm with a 72-63 home victory against Manchester Magic (4-5).
Will Day's 19 points plus 18 more from Adam Tokpah were enough to get the hosts over the line despite 18 points in reply from Magic's Matt Goodwin.
In the South, leaders Canterbury had the week off, allowing the chasing pack to make up some ground.
Reigning champs Barking Abbey (5-2) were able to see off cross-town rivals City of London Academy - Southwark (4-2) 67-47.
BA rode a balanced attack as Ethan Conway (14pts), Bolade Egbeyemi (13pts) and Harry Godwin (12pts) all contributed.
Itchen College (3-3) had no issues seeing off Copleston High School (2-6), claiming a straightforward 90-42 road win.
Winning all four quarters, a Will Taylor (20pts, 13reb, 5stl) was the highlight for the South coast programme as Myles Canderton chipped in 16 points off the bench.
Finally, JMA Reading Rockets (3-5) got their 2024 off to a great start with a narrow 80-76 away win against Oaklands Wolves (2-7).
Reading had led by as many as 12 points with 5:05 remaining but the Wolves fought back, though a one point deficit was as close as they'd get to tying up the game before the visitors finally moved just out of sight.
JMA's Isaac Round splashed six triples on the way to a stunning 35 point haul, adding nine boards, nine rebounds and five steals to a top afternoon's work.
Erin Powell with 21 points at the end of the first half! 😤#BritishBasketball pic.twitter.com/6ahCZEr7nx
— Charnwood Basketball (@CharnwoodBball) January 17, 2024
Charnwood College Riders (6-0) maintained their unbeaten start to the season as they saw off Manchester Mystics (2-3) 79-57.
Erin Powell continues to show her quality at this level as the recent University of Colorado commit top scored with 32 points to go with 10 rebounds and six assists.
Nottingham Academy Wildcats (3-3) moved into sole possession of second spot in the North after beating The Sheffield College (0-5) 85-59.
Valerie Cassidy De Falco continued her strong form from before the break to drop a game-high 29 points, adding 11 rebound and nine assists for good measure.
Alina Riley added another 23 points, whilst Samantha Mullock (12pts, 21reb) went to work on the glass.
City of London Academy - Southwark (5-0) moved to within three points of South leaders Copleston following a 62-39 victory against Barking Abbey (1-6).
Taliyah Coley-Carridice led all scorers for CoLA with 14 points, with Alice Woodward (13pts) the only BA player to make it into double digits scoring.
Oaklands Wolves (3-4) claimed their third win of the season after besting winless JMA Reading Rockets (0-6) 59-51.
The Wolves maintained their hold on a playoff spot thanks to a near triple-double from Caitlin Ryan (14pts, 10stl, 8reb) as Millie Day had a game-high 22 points for JMA.
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Main image credit - @tgd.visuals/@oaklandsball
