Southend Swifts achieved a unique treble in English basketball by getting all three girls' teams to their age groups' National play-off final fours.

The under-14s reached the RAf Cosford showpiece, which is next month, with a 61-46 quarter-final win at Northampton Flyers.

The home side led 8-2 early on as they took advantage, but the introduction of Swifts' taller players saw a turnaround in fortunes as baskets from England trialist Jane Barclay and Emma Hart gave them a 14-11 first-quarter lead.

Skipper Abbi Dempsey and Tasmin McCarthy helped Southend extend their lead with a 14-4 run at the start of the second quarter.

By half time Swifts were 32-22 up and telling contributions from Dempsey and Hart helped them extend that to a 20-point advantage.

Southend eased off a little in the final quarter but held on for a comfortable 15-point win.

Dempsey 17 and Hart and Barclay 14 apiece had led the way that saw all of the players get valuable court time.

They will compete at RAF Cosford on May 5, following the cadets on the Saturday and the juniors on Sunday. Whilst it is already a unique achievement (it's the first time the under-14s have had their own finals), Swifts do not want to return empty-handed from the finale.

Published Wednesday, April 16, 2003

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