WHOBA Basketball 2025

From the moment Daniel Blackledge blew the first whistle of the match, we knew we were in for a treat as both teams scored early baskets through James H, Neil S, Yusuf I and Krish N-D. Two evenly matched sides contested well and with very little margin of error, the half-time score was 12-12. 

It was at this point where the use of the substitution became very appealing for some and the impact made off both benches ensured that neither team could pull away from the other. Both Bassett brothers scored impressive second half hat-tricks and the Bedford brothers chipped in too with a basket each, but with only 2 minutes remaining, Team Sharma for the very first time in the match pulled clear and claimed the victory. The final score was 28-24. What an opening fixture!  

The defeat in Match 1 for Team Thornton did not hold them back in the early stages of Match 2 as they took an early lead thanks to Noah B (2) but a special mention goes to Yusef I for his incredible assists as he glided through the court with quick controlled movement, pivoting like a gyroscope on a stand. 

However, Tom T and Eddie K used their tactical knowledge of the sport to counter attack the high quality skills on display by the Thornton’s men in purple. It somewhat followed a pattern of Tom T winning the ball in his half and what can only be described as ‘launching’ the ball right across Duce Hall to Eddie K who had magnificently positioned himself directly under the opposite hoop, not quite hoop-hanging but not far off! It’s a tactic that worked well but captain on the day, Nicholas T (2) ensured his team went into the half time break in front. The Thornton Team led 10-6. 

Old classmates Jacob S and Jaidev M both scored for Keane’s Team while the Tom and Eddie launching tactic proved yet again highly effective in the second half. Another tense match was witnessed by the Duce Hall crowd. Which way would Match 2 go? The final moments of the game saw another score for Noah B and Nicholas T which pulled the Purple Team over the line. The final score was 20-16. Redemption for Team Thornton after their loss in Match 1.

At this point in the competition, Team Sharma in plain had narrowly won their opening match by two baskets. Team Keane in red had narrowly lost their opening match by two baskets. What an incredible final fixture we had in store as Team Sharma faced Team Keane in a final showdown at Duce Hall!

A free flowing start, thanks to the generous decisions by referee Daniel Blackledge, ensured a tense opening couple of minutes with little breaks in play and focused play mid-court. The short, sharp passing by those in purple was rewarded with scores for Neil S, Qasim B, and Dan B. Jacob S (2) starred for the Keane Team in the first half with highly skillful footwork and an incredible lay-up to score his first basket. The half-time score in this crunch fixture saw Team Sharma lead 16-6.

The Keane Team were on top in the very early stages of the second half with quick scores from Eddie K (2), Ari N and Jaidev M. However, there are magic moments in sport which can have lasting impacts on the event. Today, we had replaced Martin Tyler’s, “Agüerooooo!” with “James Hornnnnnnn!” A heavenly moment was witnessed in Duce Hall as James H received the ball on the half-court line and silkily played an unbelievable pass through his legs to Neil S. Neil S quickly flicked the ball back to James who scored perhaps one of the best lay-ups in Old Boys Basketball history! The crowd were stunned and deservedly, Team Sharma in purple went on to win Match 3 by 30 points to 14.