BASKETBALL: ELLESMERE Port Catholic High School Girls U14s basketball team has been crowned national champions after victory in Nottingham, writes Alex Bell.

The girls returned home from the two-day event with a 100% record after winning three qualifying games before triumphing in the semi-final and final.

Proud PE teacher Mike Burton said: 'It was a fantastic performance from the girls.'

His side beat a sports college from Essex, London's Greig City Academy and Northampton Grammar School on the Saturday before overcoming Stockport's Reddish Vale 68-52 in the semi-final and Greig City again 42-38 in Sunday's final.

Kristie Shields was the top points scorer with 118 points from the five games.

Also contributing were Ami Kenny (45), Lisa Smith (25), Alleana Reddy (22), Holly McVittie (17), Amy Bowen (12), Haley Stevenson (7), Jess Johnson (2), Leila Bengohia (2), Ria Hardwick (2) and Joanne Brumby (2).

And the Whitby-based school could soon boast three more National Champions following semi-final wins for both the boys and girls U16s as well as the boys U19s.

The girls U16s beat Reddish Vale School 88-50 in last week's semi in Watford. They face Greig City Academy in the final at Uxbridge, Middlesex, on March 19. Kirsty Leedham top scored with 26 points.

The boys U16s beat Silverdale School, Sheffield, 76-60 in their semi-final at St Albans.

Tom Bowen's 27 points helped his side advance to face London's Park View Academy on March 19.

The U19s complete the set with a final against Silverdale School. They beat TASIS School, from Surrey, 90-78. Bowen was again the top points scorer with 31.