Cambridge Cats Basketball Club

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.

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.

Nothing to laugh about for the Jokers as the Big Cats put in another solid performance

Over the weekend Cats Senior men were on the road looking for the win that would announce their arrival in the Herts Premier League. The visit to Ware Jokers provided the opportunity to test the Cats against another of the leagues big three and it didn’t take long for the jokers trickery and power to put the Cats firmly back into the freshman status. With the score at 25-11 at the end of Q1 the Jokers could afford a smile. The Q1 break gave the Cats a chance to reorganise their defence and they came out energised with man defense, giving the Jokers more to think about, driven on by Charlwood and Kanyamibwa and breakaway points from Radek the Mailman, the Cats took Q2 10-21 putting them right back in the game. The momentum was now with the Cats and with a solid performance from Dexter in Q3 they were able to stay with the Jokers, who were by this stage, digging deep into the jokers hand book to stay with the Cats. Q3 was even 20-20 with the Jokers ahead by three going into Q4

The teams traded baskets at the start of Q4 with the home team just staying ahead but the effort in Q2 and Q3 proved to be the undoing of the Cats and the Jokers lead stretched to 10 points. This should have been the end of the game but the Cats rallied putting pressure on the Jokers' Guards and making quick turnover points. The Jokers took Q4 25-21 winning the game, but this was by no means a stand up for the Jokers, as in the end it came down to the execution of details; in this case free throws and its really “no joke” making only 7 of 20 from the line. However The Big Cats can go in the next game knowing that they are on the pace and can compete with the best in the league.

Not quite the weeked we were looking for, but some good positive points to take away.

On Saturday, the under 15's travelled to play Newham All Stars in the England Basketball National Southern conference, 1st division. The outing was marred by a serious accident and road blockage on the M11, which made us extremely late and eventually the match had to be started with only 5 Cats against a full and strong Newham bench. When the 4 remaining Cats emerged from the east London traffic, the match was already (not unnexpectedly) irretrievable and the scoring ended 95 - 21 in Newhams favour. However, our lads tackled the superior Newham with vigour and courage, catching them out a few times with fast breaks. Well done Cats - let's look forward to entertaining Newham when they come up to Cambridge later in the season.

The Senior men travelled to Dunstable to play Circus Houghton Raiders in the Hertfordshire Basketball Association Premier league. Again, not a win, but a very close competitive match. Zac commented.......First quarter was excellent. Ball movement was great; the best I have seen us perform in the last two years. At the end of the first quarter we were up 20-10. I think it went down hill after that; shots weren't falling, their shots started to fall and by the end of the second quarter we were still up 29-22. End of the third we were up by 2 and in the fourth we were tied and the game was decided in the last minute or two. We were down 3 and they stole the ball and scored again. Final score, Raiders 63 - Cats 58.

Head Coach Wedderburn added.......Whilst it was not the result that we were looking for, we can take a lot from our first game in this campaign. We competed well, showing signs of maturity in our offence and played well defensively by keeping the opposition to below 16 each quarter. We still have much to do as we look to consolidate our position at this higher level and our early season training sessions are vital. I believe that we have the talent in the group for us to have a good season, but you all must trust and believe in each other to make it work.

For up and coming matches, take a look at the team fixtures or table on the home page. Amongst them, the Big Cats have a big home game this Sunday against Cougars in the HBBL. Why not come and watch what promises to be a very competitive match and give your support to the Big Cats.

Billy Beddow (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire) signs with Methodist University (Fayetteville, North Carolina USA) to continue his education and playing career. Billy becomes the second Cambridge Cats Basketball Club and County Upper Basketball Academy player to sign with an NCAA D3 University.

Methodist University is coached by David Smith. As Monarch head coach, the two-time USA South Athletic Conference Coach of the Year has compiled a mark of 141 wins – 124 losses with four conference regular season championships, two conference tournament championships and two trips to the NCAA Division III National Tournament over the last five seasons. Last season, the Monarchs finished with an overall record of 10 wins – 17 losses and a USA South Athletic Conference record of 4 wins – 8 losses.

“I love basketball and this is a dream come true. I worked hard academically at Hills Road Sixth Form College and I’m grateful for their support in my AS levels, but I knew that my best opportunity of achieving my dream was to transfer to County Upper School and become one of the inaugural entrants of the basketball academy, under the guidance of Coach Johnson who has pushed me hard this year. I understand that the real work is only just beginning. I appreciate so much the people who have helped me and believed in me. County Upper Basketball Academy has been ideal for me and I will miss the staff and students immensely, but wish them even more success in the second year of the academy.”

“This is great news for County Upper School, Cambridge Cats and Billy” said Coach Johnson, Director of County Upper Basketball Academy. “At the beginning of the season I said to Billy what I say to all recruits and that is if you prove to me that you really want to get to the next level I will do all that I can to help you achieve your dream. Billy has worked so hard throughout this season to achieve this opportunity, and I am proud of him for showing such desire in achieving his dream. Now Billy must get ready for the real challenge of proving himself at Methodist, as the easy part was signing a letter of intent. I hope people begin to realise that with Billy, Nick and Austin all moving onto the next level County Upper School Basketball Academy is a place where aspiring basketball players can achieve their basketball goals”.

Billy becomes the third Cambridge Cats Basketball Club and County Upper School Basketball Academy player to make it to the next level; he follows Nick O’Leary (Sheffield Hallam Uni/ Sheffield Arrows) and Austin Wright (Norwich University, USA).

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