Top class!

Apr 1 2004 By Christopher Beesley, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

BASKETBALL: THE town is toasting its second National Championship double in the space of six days as Ellesmere Port Catholic High clinched the English Schools' U19 and U16 titles on Saturday.

Two of the school's female basketball teams struck gold at the English Basketball Association finals in Hemel Hempstead less than a week after many of the same players clinched the Sure Shot Cadet and Junior Women's Cups for Ellesmere Port Panthers.

PE teacher Mike Burton said: 'It's been a tremendous year for the school as we've reached the finals in all eight age groups of EBBA competition, U14s, U15s, U16s and U19s boys and girls. No other school has even come close to that and our teams have produced some outstanding performances.'

EPCH had four teams in action at the weekend's finals, with representatives in both the U16 and U19 girls' and boys' finals.

Jenny Leedham produced a colossal performance to inspire the U19 girls to a 107-78 victory over Francis Bacon of London, bagging 49 points.

Other leading scorers were - Johannah Leedham (24); Laura Hughes (11); Nicole Clarke (9); Kirsty Leedham (7).

Younger sister, Johannah Leedham, led the way with 45 points for the U16 girls, who overcame another London school, Greig City Academy, 88-60.

Other leading scorers included Kirsty Leedham (24) and Laura Hughes (9).

EPCH's boys were also in action and were un-fortunate to fall at the final hurdle, losing both the U16 and U19 finals by narrow margins.

The U19s were edged out 82-78 by Tapton of Sheffield with their leading scorers being Matthew Williams (34); Tom Bowen (13); Richard McNutt (10); and Stuart Williams (9).

The U16s were undone by a single point by Thorncliffe of Barrow-in-Furness, going down 78-77 with scorers including Matthew Williams (29); Tom Bowen (24); Matthew Lloyd (12).

In total, EPCH has won four national titles this year and has four runners-up, while they also had five teams as national champions in 2003.