Thundersley's SEEVIC girls are through to the national finals of the British Colleges Basketball Championship after a great display in the Eastern Region competition.

The tournament is played in a round robin format with games 12 minutes long. SEEVIC's rivals at Waterside Farm, Canvey, included COLVIC, Palmer's, Moulton, Havering, Norwich and East Norfolk.

Heading for national glory - the SEEVIC basketball girls Picture: LUAN MARSHALL

SEEVIC triumphed after some very competitive games and have now qualified for the national event in Loughborough in the new year.

SEEVIC's first game, against Norwich College, saw both sides start nervously and the score stand at 5-5 after three minutes.

However, a time-out by SEEVIC soon settled the nerves and they had a 20-2 run before eventually winning 25-7. In their next game SEEVIC had a 20-10 triumph over Grays' rivals Palmer's.

SEEVIC's next encounter was the equivalent of a final against COLVIC, who had been convincing winners of their previous games and fielded an impressive line-up including numerous national league players with greater experience.

But SEEVIC played with tremendous spirit from the start and soon took the lead. Kat Duffield and Amy Worboys played some outstanding defensive basketball and Toni Watson dominated the boards at both ends.

SEEVIC led by five, but this was cut to two after a COLVIC time-out. SEEVIC were not prepared to let COLVIC take the lead as both teams traded baskets and some great scores from Louise Gustoff, Kate Harris and Watson saw SEEVIC home 25-21.

SEEVIC then won 25-8 against Havering and beat East Norfolk 24-6 with everyone getting on the scoresheet.

Published Tuesday, December 17, 2002

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