Chiswick Gators Win County Basketball Championship

Winning points secured in the last minute of the final

Chiswick School students are celebrating after their team was crowned under-16 Surrey borough basketball champions.

The Chiswick Gators team, made up primarily of the school's year 11 students, scored three stunning victories on their way to claiming the borough's Hoop Dreams title earlier this month.

In a close fought final held at the ACS American School in Cobham, Surrey, the 12 strong squad defeated the Surrey Rams by 29 to 28.

Captain Milo Fitzgerald, 15, held his nerve to score the winning two points in the very last seconds of the game.

He said: "It was really tense. I was fouled in the area and two free throws to win. It was nerve wracking; the whole championship was on the line. When they went in it was a really fantastic feeling.

"It was extra special because this was our first ever major tournament. To win first time out was just great."

The Gators team was started last year with players from the school's basketball team. Nine of the current squad attend the school.

The core of the team has been playing together at the school since they started the at Chiswick, aged 11.

Co-captain Elias Bentir, 16, said: "When the final whistle went and we had won it was such an amazing experience.

"The team have a really good chemistry together. The fact we are all such good friends made the win all the more special."

The team is coached by Micheal Kwentoh, who founded the Chiswick Gators.

He said: “Having spent the past 3 years coaching this, it was a truly amazing experience watching them become tournament champions.

“I've known this group of players for so long that we have become like a family. I've seen the team’s ups and the downs but through it all this group stayed together.

“As the teams coach it means more to me than anything because I've seen what all the boys have been through in this sport so they all truly deserve it.

“I'm just very proud and happy for everyone in the team it was truly a team effort to get the win.

If you are interested in joining the team please email chiswick.gators@gmail.com or call 07961736013 or you can join up on their web site.

November 6, 2017