Hey,

This week's 3-pointer:

🕊 Betty Codona passes away

The British basketball community was once again rocked last week with the news Betty Codona had passed away. I have not come across a bigger proponent of the women's game than Betty - pretty much any email I would receive from her would be something to do with increasing visibility of the women's game, she would never mince her words and be the first to speak out when something needed to be said - it is clear from the outpouring over the last week just what an incredible legacy she has left. The UK needs more like Betty. RIP.

🏆 Cheshire take BBL Trophy, Lions defend WBBL Trophy

Cheshire Phoenix claimed their first piece of silverware since 2018 with an 82-68 upset over London Lions in the BBL Trophy Final, while the Lions women were clinical over Sevenoaks with a 72-36 victory to win their fourth straight final in the WBBL. Unfortunately I couldn't make it to Glasgow - NEED to make the trip one of these days!

🏆 BUCS Big Wednesday

The first BUCS Championship finals in two years took place yesterday, with Newcastle on the men's side and Essex on the women's side claiming their first ever BUCS basketball titles. Feels like BUCS (or at least awareness of it) has been on a steady decline since canning the Final 8s all those years ago, and now with results/league tables virtually impossible to access, it's like they want the competition to be irrelevant. I hope things change - it is an underrated and under-utilised resource/pathway.

That wraps up another week, as always, hit reply with any thoughts questions or anything else!

With gratitude,

Sam

P.S. I will be in Manchester next Wednesday for academy finals, hit me up if you're gonna be about - Nottingham will take on CoLA in the WEABL, with Myerscough and Charnwood matching up in the EABL.