Eagles Weekly Wrap - Issue:5

A busy weekend saw the return of competitive games as we began the Junior National League, starting at York College with our U14s, then 3 mammoth wins away from home and a close encounter with local rivals on Sunday.  Coaches and Players have been on it since the start of September with their teams to get them prepared for the season start, mentally and physically. 

Below is our Wrap of the games that took place in week 1 of the 2023/24 JNL season.

Saturday 30th September 2023

York Eagles B vs Leeds LDM

U14 Jr NBL Boys North Conference 1

Result: 23-105 (L)

Player of the game: Fin Lewis (4pts/4rebs/4stls)

Coach Kris Gladwin commented on the U14s B performance:

“It was a tough day at the office for the boys, up against a decent Leeds side who for the most part had size on their side. Unfortunately, our habit of starting slowly in matches was once again evidenced and the boys' heads started to drop towards the end of the first half. Some eager defence in the third, and Bertie and Leo managed to get some points on the board. A renaissance in the fourth sparked some players to be stronger and play with some enjoyment which led to our highest scoring quarter for us.”

York Eagles @ Mersey Mavericks

U14 Jr NBL Girls North Conference

Result: 91-29 (W)

Player (s) of the game: Maya Foulkes (24pts/10rebs/3blks) & Danika Croft (33pts)

Coach Ghada Khattab Commented on the U14s Girls' Performance:

“The girls had a cracking start to the NL season, dominating throughout and showing fantastic strength on both ends of the court. Our defence was that good that we denied the Mavericks all attempts to the basket in the 1st Quarter. This was done by everyone not just the usual same 1 or 2. In terms of offence, it was orchestrated by Maya as the point guard, a role she is growing nicely into. Great to see things transferring from training into games.”

York Eagles A @ City of Leeds Black

U14 Jr NBL Boys North Conference 1

Result: 86-13 (W)

Player of the game: Sam Smales (20pts/18rebs/4blks)

Coach Tyler Paton-Pottage commented on the U14s A Performance:

“A really positive performance again from us against a much younger COL Black side. Going into this game after a string pre-season, confidence and team chemistry are increasing every game, mixing with what COL would offer – we controlled the game from the first whistle. We were much quicker, stringer, and ultimately bigger on the court and were too much for COL to handle. Our read of the other teams' offence was the highlight of the game for me as we picked off passes and turned them into points and everyone scored which is always great to see as a coach. 

York Eagles @ Northamptonshire Titans

U16 Jr NBL Boys Northern Premier

Result: 90-57 (W)

Player of the Game: Ben Wells (20pts)

Coach Paul Pickering commented on the U16s Performance:

“A great performance to kick off the season! It is never easy to open on the road and especially travelling 3 hours to do so, but winning by such as a commanding margin makes the trip to Northampton worthwhile. We started strong with Titans struggling to contain our full-court press locking them down and a couple of early buckets. Then Emilis Vildziunas took over and caused havoc driving and getting to the charity stripe consistently. Ben Wells gave us that spark again from the bench for the 2nd game in a row which we needed and finished with 87% from the field, and Ias Morys orchestrated the offence well throughout without a single turnover.”

Sunday 1st October 2023

York Eagles B @ Queen Ethelburgh Knights

U16 Jr NBL Boys North Conference 1

Result: 59-69 (L)

Player of the game: Joe Coyle (10pts/6rebs/3blks)

Coach Reece Horton commented on the U16s Performance:

“A tough game to go into as our first game of the season, as we knew what QE would offer – aggressive defence and good shooting. Throughout the first half, we were always in the game and were always around 8pts apart – we could have gone into the half ahead, but too many turnovers like travelling and not being aggressive ourselves to go to the hoop were what was needed if we were going to cause the upset. A strong start to the third bringing it to a one-possession game at one point, but then an injury to Dec Corbally didn’t do us any good- and then defensively we went a little too passive – allowing them to shoot and allowed them to get a double-figure lead. Max Kotidis pushed the ball for some quick buckets to try to close the gap, but unfortunately, it was too much. Credit for the effort of the group as it was very warm in that hall, and everyone put in 100%.”

Rounding off the Week 1 of the season, Associate Head Coach Tyler Paton-Pottage was pleased:

“I am satisfied with the first week of the season, three big wins on the road to signal other clubs that we mean business, and the other two teams are ready to learn the hard way this season and develop their game as I know we will grow stronger together and the season progresses. I am also pleased to see that we are getting the final touches on regional basketball for U12/U13s Boys and our NEW U12 Girls team, giving them opportunities to develop, and coupled with our new community sessions!”

York Eagles look ahead to next week with 7 teams in action, including the debuting U18s in the Northern Premier.