Alder win four out of five at the Tameside Basketball Finals!

The Tameside P.E. Association Cup Finals took place at Alder Community High School on Saturday 16th April. All five of Alder’s boys teams had reached the final of their age group which was an amazing achievement. There was a big crowd to support all of the schools involved. Alder dominated the day, winning four out of five finals, whilst Audenshaw beat our Year 9’s for the second year running to retain their title in the Under 14’s final.

Under 12’s

Alder (12) v Copley High School (10)

Alder eventually won a hard fought and close match against a much improved Copley team. Both teams defended brilliantly and the game was level throughout the whole match until the last few minutes when Alder scored and managed to hang on to their lead. MVP (Most Valuable player) for Alder was James Thomas who scored some important points.

Team photo:
Back Row: Connor Yeoman, Francis Brankin, Kyron Stafford, Thomas Pottage.
Front Row: Luke Taylor, Riaz Uddin, Lewis Atherton, James Thomas, Emma Bardsley
(Not pictured: Aaron Ball)

Under 13’s

Alder Community High School (35) v Hyde Technology School (9)

Alder were always in control of their final against Hyde Technology School and were winning 20 points to 2 at the half way stage. Lewis Pownell scored 12 points and also won the MVP award for Alder. Liam Ashton scored 8 points, Christopher Dunn and William Knight scored 6 each and Mathew Mason scored 3 points.

Team photo:
Back Row: Louis Heywood, William Knight, Mathew Mason
Front Row: Rhys Fitzsimons, Christopher Dunn, Lewis Pownell, Cameron Stockman, Liam Ashton
(Not pictured: Victoria Austin)

Under 14’s

Alder Community High School (29) v Audenshaw School (60)

Alder met Audenshaw in a repeat of last year’s final and yet again Audenshaw’s team were too strong for a hard working Alder team. Alder were much improved from last year with Joseph Casey finishing with 12 points for Alder with and pushed the Audenshaw team all the way, dominating the second quarter, but in the end a fitter Audenshaw team were far more consistent with their finishing and led the game comfortably from start to finish.

Alder Team photo
Back Row: Mathew Dyer, Joseph Casey, William Fell, Jordan Haslam-Sanha, Lyndon Ward
Front Row: Alex Reedy, Charley Booth, Thomas Partridge

Under 15’s

Alder Community High School (76) v Astley Sports College (33)

Throughout the competition, the starting five players had been rested and so it fell to the bench players to defend their title for the third consecutive year and this year came up against Astley Sports College. Alder led comfortably from the start and their experience showed as they dominated the game throughout. Some fantastic passing and great Guard play by George Baker and Jack Waddington assisted Alder’s MVP Josef Pownell, who scored 16 points, Joshua French who scored 15 points and Thomas Hannan who scored 12 points.

Alder Team photo
Back Row: Joshua French, Josef Pownell, Connor Grime, Thomas Lindsay, Denel Dowling
Front Row: Jack Waddington, George Baker, Thomas Hannan, James Hancock
(Not pictured: Liam Ball)

Under 16’s

Alder Community High School (76) v West Hill School (38)

Alder’s Under 16’s team consisted of the starting five players from the Year 10 team who had stepped up an age group to support the less experienced Year 11 players. After defeat to West Hill earlier in the season in the Tameside round of the England Schools Cup, the lads were looking for revenge. It was a tough game, with lots of fouls from both teams but Alder just had the edge and eventually took control of the game with fantastic team play and great movement on court. MVP for Alder, Thomas Lindsay top scored with a phenomenal 24 points ably assisted by Connor Grime’s excellent passing. Shooting Guard, Denel Dowling showed great skills to add 10 points to Alders’ total.

Alder Team photo
Back Row: Harrison Hughes, Mathew Latchford, Mathew Webb, Connor Grime, Thomas Lindsay, Jack Shanks.
Front Row: Josef Pownell, Denel Dowling, James Hancock, Asa Marshall