School Cup Final week saw the culmination of 6 months of hard work by both the players and the coaching staff of all schools involved in the National School Cup. The venue was Edinburgh University’s Centre for Sport and Exercise. This was the second year in succession that the school finals would take place over 1 week at the same venue. The show court awaited teams from all round the country, branded with the basketballscotland logo and Saltires in the keys, it was certainly a sight never seen in the Pleasance gym before. For some it would be the first time and for others they had already been here before, but for all it would be an event to remember. The week saw 16 games played and with many National League and National Squad players there was some sensational basketball played. Congratulations to all the teams who made the finals. Thank you to all the players, coaches, to the Floor and Table Officials who helped make the 2010 School Cup Finals a success.

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City Of Edinburgh Kings v Clark Eriksson Fury U18 Men’s Cup Final

The tip was won by Kings who went straight into their offence but failed to score, fury then returned and scored the first basket of the game. Cameron Buchan then followed this up with yet another basket putting in another shot putting Fury up 0-5. Lee Reilly was fouled and went to the line making 1 of his 2 foul shots. He was then fouled again and added another point to kings’ tally. This was quickly returned by fury with Bryan Munnoch driving to the hoop to score an easy layup. After 4 minutes of play the score was 4-12 to Falkirk. Kings gained momentum with Niall Mackle hitting a 3 and after a turnover from Ali Fraser kings converted with a layup. Jonny Bunyan was fouled and went to the line to shoot 1 which was unsuccessful however his basket kept Falkirk up 10-17 with 3 minutes remaining. A strong post move from Ali Fraser saw Fury increase their lead to 9 which was followed by another 2 points and Edinburgh called a time out with the score 10-21 with 2 minutes remaining in the first period. Some quick ball movement by Kings led to Grant Mackay scoring a jump shot in the middle of the key, putting Edinburgh back into contention. Fraser was fouled and went to the line to add another point to Fury’s lead. Another steal from Falkirk led to a 3 from Steve Leslie putting Fury ahead 12-27 going into the 2^nd quarter.

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St Mirren v Rocks U18 Women’s Cup Final

This was a very closely contested match from the start. St Mirren won possession from the tip, and pressed the ball hard on defence, making it difficult for the Rocks to bring the ball up the court from the beginning. The first points of the game came from Saints Lauren McKinlay, but Stacey Allan of the Rocks soon responded by converting a shot from the offensive rebound, tying the score. Both teams continued to run a full court press, battling hard for possession. Rocks captain Erin McGarrachan then scored two baskets off a lovely drive into the key in close succession, only to be answered with a 3 from Jenny Lynn at other end of the court. Midway through the first period, the score stood at 9-6 until Stacey Allan of the Rocks scored from the fast break, however Saints responded with a run of their own, taking the score to 15-8. Rocks however continued to cause the St Mirren defence problems with their speed going up the court, until Jennifer Crawford was fouled going to the basket and made both her shots to extend the lead to 9. Crawford then committed a foul in the following offence from Rocks, sending Stacey Allan to the line to close the gap again. Erin Gilbride too converted both of her free throws, although Saints answered with another basket of their own. St Mirren linked up well on offence, with excellent passing allowing them to increase the score to 27-14. The quarter finished with end to end play, although no baskets.

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Highland Bears v Pentland Star

It was a nervy start to the game from both teams. After early exchanges, Jennifer Robertson opened the scoring for Pentland with a big 3. After 6 minutes, Jacqui Horne made a nice jump shot to push Highland ahead 8-6. It was nip-and-tuck for the rest of the quarter, with neither team giving an inch. With less than a minute on the clock, Highland’s strong inside defence forced Pentland to shoot from range, but Veronica Walls came up with a 3 pointer from NBA range. At the end of the 1^st Pentland Star were up 14-10.

The first points in the 2^nd quarter were scored by Kovacs-Miller of Highland, to narrow the gap, but Pentland quickly replied with another basket to maintain their early lead. Highland began to drive for the basket more mid-way through the 2^nd and a foul in the lane put Jane Pottie on the free-throw line. She kept composed to make both shots and lift Highland. With the game tied at 20 a piece, Walls came up with a steal on half way and scored with a right hand layup. Approaching halftime, it was a 2 point game with Highland up, after a strong baseline move from Anna MacArthur gave them the lead. The half finished at 24-22 to the Bears and both teams will have gone in to the changing rooms knowing there was all to play for.

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