JO Leedham’s status as the leading light of women’s basketball in Great Britain was underlined at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The 24-year-old from Ellesmere Port averaged an impressive 16.2 points per game in the capital.

And, after the United States beat France 86-50 in Saturday’s final to bring the women’s tournament to a close, that was enough to ensure Leedham finished joint top of the scoring charts alongside Brazil’s Erika Souza.

The former Ellesmere Port Catholic High School student also recorded the highest individual points tally in a single women’s match at the Games when she netted 29 points in the 80-77 loss to France.

That was one of five defeats Great Britain suffered in London as they crashed out of the group stages without winning a single game.

But small forward Leedham, who captained the team, said: “Unless you were there or you saw it at home, you might just see the 0-5 record.

“You don't see the heart, the grit, the determination that was behind it and how close we were in every single game.

“But we have a great group of people here and I think we have seen people showing an interest and the crowds getting behind us.”

Leedham took part in Sunday’s spectacular closing ceremony at the Olympic Park before returning to her Ellesmere Port home on Monday.