Hockley's Greensward College girls produced an excellent display of team basketball to win the English Schools' national under-19 final for the second year running.

At Hemel Hempstead they took on the highly-fancied East Durham Basketball Academy, but the north-easterners could never cope with the speed and skill of the Essex side, who had no fewer than five year ten players in their ranks.

A three-point play from the opening tip by Sophie Day settled her side and Greensward soon led 9-3 as the team from Peterlee New Town struggled to cope against constant pressure.

Durham scored the next five points, but could never get the lead as composed play from Vikki Willmore created good scoring opportunities for her colleagues.

With Day contributing seven in the first quarter and Jo Andrews making one of her trademark three-pointers with almost her first touch of the ball, Greensward led 21-16 at the end of the first period.

Although Durham reduced the lead to one by scoring the first baskets of the second quarter, this would be the closest they got as Willmore, Andrews and Hannah Wilhelmy took the game over.

Over a seven minute period they led Greensward on a 25-13 run that effectively settled the issue.

Wilhelmy in particular was a tower of strength at both ends of the court as she battled against taller opponents, taking numerous rebounds as well as scoring herself.

With Laura Keys contributing a three-point shot, Greensward were simply too powerful as they eased out to 46-29 and, although the Academy side scored six of the last eight points, the half-time deficit of 48-35 was always going to be a mountain that would be too steep to climb.

An 8-0 run in two minutes in the final quarter saw the lead go to 20 and, when Willmore and Keys hit back to back three-pointers, the match was over.

Published Tuesday, March 19, 2002