The Greensward School is preparing to host the Nike-sponsored under-14 girls national basketball finals at its magnificent new £500,000 sports hall this weekend.

The Hockley school came second in last year's competition, which was held in Harrogate, and this year will hope to go one better by winning the competition on home turf.

Tony Mescall, Greensward's community sports co-ordinator, said: "Seven of this country's best basketball teams will be travelling to our school to compete in what is a very prestigious final.

"We are very honoured that the competition organisers have chosen our school to host this tournament, which is a recognition of our excellent facilities and of our previous success in these finals.

"Having home advantage is a big plus and we hope to make up for last year's disappointment of coming runners-up by going all the way this time round.

"We have a very strong squad, which includes current England international Vicky Wilmore and Essex schools' point guard Jo Andrews, and I believe we've got a very good chance."

The finals, which are being co-hosted by Rochford's King Edmund school, are being held this Saturday and Sunday.

Greensward's girls have been pooled in the qualifiers against Basingstoke's Richard Aldworth, Doncaster's Hayfield and Birken-head's Prenton schools, and begin their challenge at 10am on Saturday.

The Hockley school warmed up for the national finals by staging a Sunny Delight-sponsored open day last weekend.

Children of all ages were able to polish up their court skills thanks to a free coaching session from Mid-Essex men's league side Southend Scorpions, who also took on the Basildon Blades in an exhibition match.

The day's activities came to a thrilling finale when a mixed-age Greensward girls side lost an entertaining match against the Scorpions' female counterparts right on the buzzer.

Greensward would like to thank their many sponsors, including Rochford Sports Council, Rayleigh's Alan Simpson solicitors and Alan Badden, whose continued support helps boost the progress of basketball at the school.

Orange juice giants Sunny Delight are also on the look out for budding basketball stars aged between 13 and 19 to take part in their national three-on-three competition.

Successful entrants can get a crack at qualifying for the nationals by winning through the regional qualifiers which are being held at Greensward on Saturday, February 13.

For more information contact Tony Mescall on 01702 202571.

Lift off - Shannon Chambers, six, of Greensward Lane, Hockley, gets a helping hand from members of the Southend Scorpions basketball team

Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

National glory - that's the aim of Corringham's Gable Hall School under-14 girls, who have won through to the finals of the senior schools' netball championship after finishing runners-up in the regional final at Basildon's Gloucester Park.

They will now be bidding for the national title at Brighton's Roedean School on March 13

Picture: ANDY PALMER

(Right) On me 'ead - that's the cry at Canvey's Castle View School as the balls go flying during special coaching sessions organised by coaching staff of Nationwide League Second Division Gillingham. Sessions were split for different age groups and followed a similar initiative with Colchester United earlier in the season

Picture: ANDY PALMER

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