Sport: Schools' basketball - Haverstock School secure two age-groups trophies in Camden Secondary Schools BA Championships

Published: 8 April 2010
by STEVE BARNETT

A FEELING of déjà vu swept through Haverstock School this week when PE teacher Joe Allen had to find space in the cabinet for two more trophies. 

The delighted coach saw his boys clinch a double, double as two of his triumphant teams won the Camden Secondary Schools Basketball Association Championships for a second year running.   

Paul McCarroll and Isaac Cobbinah helped lead Haverstock’s Under-14s to a narrow victory over South Camden Community School. With the teams tied on 38 points, the game went into overtime. Ard Sqarfa put in a dazzling performance as point guard in the last quarter to seal a nail-biting 48-40 points victory for Haverstock. 

The Under-16s final was just as pulsating, with the Chalk Farm-based school beating Acland Burghley School by just a point to win the title. 

In a repeat of last year’s final, both teams put in tremendous performances on the court. 

Haverstock were down by eight points in the last quarter of the game, before the introduction of Kieron Matthews. It was his perfect three-point shooting that turned the game and saw the champions retain their title with a pulsating 40-39 points victory. 

Afterwards coach Allen said: “Both teams have improved immensely since last year and I am so glad we came out victorious once again. Their performance was something to behold and to win again with only six players, shows the depth of character of our boys and their attitude to the game.  

“I cannot thank them enough as all of them played their part and deserve all the accolades they receive. It was a performance to remember.”