Cambridge Cats U15 team fought a close and dramatic encounter against London Feltham Warriors in their away game last Sunday. After a strong start to the 1^st quarter and an unmistakable shooting display from Jake Andrews, U15 Cats team led 12-4 by the 4^th minute. The Warriors’ coach had no choice but to call a time out. Revitalised, the London team increased the game tempo and defensive intensity. Their full court Man-to Man defence created the first big challenge to overcome for our youth team. The first quarter finished with our 1pt lead and after the second quarter Cats went into the locker room 7pts down having something to think about. 

Despite the Warriors’ persistent full court defensive pressure, the second half of the game belonged to the improved team from Cambridge. The whole team lead by the Andrews brothers and Alex Browne, controlled the game tempo, improved their teamwork on both ends of the floor and defensive intensity. Charlie Fitch with his first double-double for the Cats team together with Ivan Brett hardly missed any rebounding opportunity and provided that highly valuable help in defence to their teammates whenever it was necessary, stopping the Warriors with impressive blocks. The Cats, after winning the 3^rd quarter 20–8, were more than just back in the game; leading 47 -43.

The 4^th quarter was even and as dramatic as the rest of the game. The game was finally decided during the last 30 sec when the Warriors had the ball possession and the Cats had to defend their narrow 1pt lead. The concentrated and determined Cambridge team managed to hold the Warriors from scoring for 28seconds! The lack of the referees’ reaction to the 24sec violation was spotted by the Cats coaching team and supporting parents, and the ball possession was eventually awarded to the Cats with 6 seconds left on the clock. By holding to the ball until the last whistle, the Cambridge Cats U15 won their first game in 2009/10 season with final score 65 -64.

Great winning effort Cats!

Cambridge Cats U15 squad and individual achievements:

Jake Andrews (18 pts, 1 rebound, 2 steals), Alex Browne (15 pts, 6 reb), Charlie Fitch (11 pts, 10 reb, 1 block), Toby Andrews (10 pts, 2 steals), Moses Kanyamibwa (5 pts, 1 reb), Ivan Brett (1 pt, 7 reb, 1 block), Bradley Tweddle (1 pt, 2 steals), Will Firth(3 reb), Matt Linck, Guy Curtis, Jordan Searle.