SOUTHAMPTON Trailblazers' under-16s kept supporters on the edge of their seats when they wound up their RAF National League South Division campaign with a nailbiting 94-87 overtime win over Kingston Wildcats.
Louis Allen was in unstoppable form, scoring 21 first-quarter points as Southampton took control of the game at Mountbatten School.
With just five minutes of the final quarter remaining, Blazers led 73-57 with the match seemingly won, but then the Wildcats switched to a full court press and completely turned to tables to edge two points in front in the last minute.
However, a timely basket by Saleem Amer levelled the scores 79-79 and, much to the relief of the home fans, the game spilled into overtime where Southampton recovered their composure. Two quick baskets apiece from Allen and Liam Kelly put the game beyond Kingston's reach.
The win placed Mark Jackson's team a creditable fifth in the South Division where the majority of clubs are London-based.
Southampton Scorers: Louis Allen 45, Liam Kelly 27, Saleem Amer 9, Ben Radford 4, James Tavender 4, Sam Baldwin 2, Matt Farmiloe 2 Nathan Clifford 1.
Blazers' under-13s breezed through to the National quarter-finals with a comfortable 111-24 victory over Brentwood Fire
Brentford scored the first point of the game but from then on it was one-way traffic with Southampton leading 63-10 by half-time.
Coach Jeannie Asher was delighted the youngsters maintained their work ethic throughout, saying: "Sometimes in games like this it is hard for players to remain focussed.
Now through to the 'elite eight', Blazers face Hackney White heat at Romsey's Mountbatten School on Sunday, April 3 (1.15pm). At stake will be a place in the 'final four' at Manchester's Amaechi Basketball Centre on April 17.
Southampton scorers: David Gardner 25, Jack Kendall 20, James Blandford 18, Luke Clifford 17, George Radford 9, Jon Pickering 8, Nathan Holland 8, Nathan Harvey 4, Richard Mann 2.
Trailblazers' men moved a step closer to the Solent Area Men's Division 3 title by defeating Hythe Zimmerzones at Romsey's Mountbatten School.
The Zimmerzones are currently third in the division, but Southampton successfully countered their big men with the perimeter shooting of Mark Radford, below, Gary Beale and Tom Sosna - four of Blazers' first five baskets being three-pointers.
Leading 32-20 by the end of the first quarter, the home team always looked in control to run out 104-71 winners.
Southampton scorers: Gary Beale 26, Mark Radford 17, Jon Gill 11, Steve Vaughan 10, Tom Sosna 10, Mark Jackson 10, Jeremy Darios 8, Darren MacAskill 4, Richard Froud 3, Jake Morley 2, Darren MacAskill 2, David Mead 2.
With the strong possibility of being promoted to Division 2 next season, Southampton are considering entering a second team into the league and are looking for new players.
Anyone interested in playing for Trailblazers next season should contact club secretary Trevor Gill on 023 8069 3648.
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