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East set new standards as Mead makes England Squad

The East of England U14 Boys travelled to Lilleshall this weekend off the back of three convincing wins against other regions in Leicester at the end of last month. Despite this, with all ten regions present at Lilleshall including traditional super-powers the North West, West Midlands, South and of course London, the East were not one of the pre-tournament favourites. However, the East were quietly confident – The fact that their preparation was so thorough, their training programme so intense and the level of talent on this years squad higher than usual, had players, coaches and parents all feeling optimistic.

Games on the Saturday vs. the East Midlands, South East, South West and North East would determine their group standings, after which they would find out who they would meet on the Sunday to establish their final standing in the competition.

The opening game against the East Midlands saw the East matched up against Kingsley Okoroh, who at 6’9 was by far the biggest player on show and almost a certain future England international. However, the East could boast some size of their own in the form of Ipswich duo Ben Mead and Robinson Maka. Between the two of them Okoroh was kept relatively quiet which allowed the East’s guards to have their was and eventually run out winners by eleven points.

Their second game was against the impressive South East. This was the game that ultimately paved the way for what would end up being a phenomenal tournament for the East. Down by as many as sixteen points at one stage they didn’t quit, lead by Brentwood pair Joe Davies and captain George Jarvis. In the second half Ben Mead was in full swing as he dismantled the opposition with a series of post moves, meaning the East eventually went away with a nine point win. One bad bit of news for the East was that Joe Davies injured hip looked as if it may keep him out of action for the rest of the weekend.

The third game was against the South West, who were yet to win a game. The East were without Davies who was receiving treatment on the injured hip in an effort to get him fit for the final day. In the first half it was again Mead, who was proving to be amongst the best players on show, and also Robbie Maka who took them apart before the second half saw George Jarvis show the England selectors that he could light the game up from the perimeter. With the lead well in double figures the bench was rotated which saw a number of the East players shine including Sam Newman, Leo Zwandhal-Burns and Matt Elliot.

The fourth game was one that the East knew that if they won, they would make the final and become the first East team for a long time to have done so. Remarkably the hip injury sustained by Joe Davies had repaired itself, much to do with the superb work of the medical team at Lilleshall. However, nerves got the better of the team in the first period but the guts and determination of Matt Hughes and Davies saw the East open up another commanding lead. By half time the game was over, so the bench was again rotated allowing Luke Mascall-Wright to shine and players to rest before a nights sleep and the prospect of a National Final against London!

For a twelve or thirteen year old basketball player in England, it doesn’t get much bigger than playing for your region in a National Final against London at Lilleshall. It was clear from the start that London were a class act, not only superior athletes but also their level of skill experience was clearly ahead of the majority at Lilleshall. The East put up a brave fight, but their real achievement was getting that far as London showed everyone why they are the favourites every year. The final score saw London finish off a tired but hard working East team by more than twenty points.

Over the course of the five games Ben Mead of the Ipswich Tomcats had been the East’s dominant force which resulted in him being selected to be part of the England U15 Boys development squad. George Jarvis and Joe Davies, both from the Brentwood Fire, were identified as outstanding performers by the England selectors.

“When evaluating this tournament it is safe to say that my staff and I are absolutely delighted with what we have achieved, and it is not often that a coach is satisfied with what their team has put on the floor. To get to a final of any competition is a great achievement but when you consider that we had twenty-eight kids attend a trial in April and we lost three key players along the way to finish second to a team that probably selected from a number somewhere near the thousands then that puts into perspective how well this group of boys have done. And, Ben Mead’s selection to the England development squad is fantastic for him, the East and his club.” Said East of England Head Coach Nick Drane.

2008 East of England U14 Boys
George Jarvis (Brentwood)
Sam Newman (Ipswich)
Matt Hughes (Baddow)
Matt Elliot (Brentwood)
L’ amour Saggers( Ipswich)
Luke Mascall-Wright (Ipswich)
Leo Zwandhal-Burns (Bury)
Joe Davies (Brentwood)
Robinson Maka( Ipswich)
Ben Mead (Ipswich)