Best under-19 basketball players in the UK shine in Battersea
Jun 21, 2021 1:19 pm
Good morning,
Please find below a press release recapping the action from this weekend's annual Hoopsfix All-Star Classic
You can also find it here as a Google doc with the links included to photos, box scores and the full video streams from the events.
If you have any specific requests, or questions, please let me know! Thank you for any coverage you might be able to provide.
Best,
Sam
Best under-19 basketball players in the UK shine in Battersea
- Hoopsfix All-Star Classic returns for sixth edition -
The Hoopsfix All-Star Classic returned after a year hiatus to successfully hold its sixth edition at the Battersea Sports Centre in London, on Saturday.
The brightest junior talents converged at one of the showpiece events in the British basketball calendar to feature in two Under-19 games that have already racked up over 60,000 views between them.
With junior seasons cancelled in the UK, some players had not played with their age-group for 18 months, while there are also no GB National Teams involved in European competitions for the second summer in a row.
The event reverted to a one-day showcase, without spectators for the first time due to the ongoing restrictions, while COVID-19 protocols were in place to ensure a safe environment for players and staff.
Cameron Taylor-Willis led Team White to an 81-76 victory in the Under-19 Women’s game with the Ipswich forward earning MVP honours with 17 points and 10 rebounds along with three assists, three steals and two blocks.
The gap was as many as 19 points in the contest before Team Black rallied late on to set up a thrilling finale with Isi Ozzy-Momodu finishing with an impressive double-double of 18 points and 17 rebounds in defeat.
“The main aim is just to enjoy yourself in these games and that’s when I’m playing my best basketball,” said MVP, Taylor-Willis. “It’s an amazing event and great exposure for everyone. There’s so much talent in the game and getting to play with different people too is great.”
Great Osobor took home the MVP award in the Under-19 Men’s game after netting a game-high 20 points to help propel Team Black to a convincing 115-70 success.
The Montana State commit had plenty of support, too, as five other players hit double figures as they put on a show in a game that was filled with highlights from both teams.
“I can do everything on the floor. If the coach asks me to do something, I’ll do it - anything the team needs, that’s what I did,” said MVP, Osobor. “We had a lot of fun out there.”
The games also marked the last opportunity for several players to play on home soil before heading to the States later this summer to embark on scholarships.
Earlier, the day began with the event’s second 3-Point Shoot Out with a total of eight participants made up of four players from each game. Alex Distras, who returned from a season at US prep school Scotland Campus, took the title after overcoming Sam Grant and Katie Januszewska in the final round.
Hensy Sako warmed up for the Under-19 Men’s game by edging out fellow Team Black member Veron Eze to win the Dunk Contest with a final attempt over two players landing the highest score of the competition.
Sako finished with a score of 52 points in the final, just three points ahead of Eze with the duo having come through a five-man field in the first round.
Proud supporters of the event include Nike, SportServe, Foot Locker, Molten, 5or6, Red Bull, and Always Ballin’.
- ENDS -
EDITORS NOTES
About Hoopsfix
Launched in 2010, Hoopsfix is the UK’s largest basketball website, attracting tens of thousands of visitors a month as it covers British basketball at every level with news, videos, features and interviews.
About the Hoopsfix All-Star Classic
With the first event being held in 2014 at Brunel University, the Hoopsfix All-Star Classic has become the premier showcase of up and coming British basketball talent.
Moving to Brixton in 2015, the event has sold out every year, whilst being live streamed to a global audience, inviting the top Under-19 males and females to battle it out against each other in three All-Star games, along with a 3-point shootout, dunk contest, and in previous years, a kids clinic and coaching clinic.
With many past players now having gone on to professional careers, as well as representing the Great Britain Senior National teams, the Classic has cemented its status as the number one place in the UK to see the stars of tomorrow all competing in the same place, at the same time.
For any sharing on social media please use the hashtag #HASC21
For questions, images, or anything else, email team@hoopsfix.com or call Sam Neter on +447841591550
