Solent Stars' under-20 men qualified for the Final Four competition on Saturday week with a sensational 95-83 win at last year's national champions East Durham.

They follow in the successful footsteps of the club's under-15s, cadet women and junior men in winning through to the elite contest in their age group.

Stars spokesman Keith Davies enthused: "No other youth basketball programme in the country has achieved this breadth of success and, with the achievements of the senior men, this is turning into a vintage year for Solent Stars."

Coach Phil Hield included juniors James Davies and Barry Fitzgerald in his squad for the long trek north and they contributed to a belligerent but composed display that took the northerners completely by surprise.

Paul Young was a revelation with 24 points and 11 rebounds as he and John Notley (30 points and 12 rebounds) and Anthony Rutter (27 points, 6 rebounds) took control of the game. The killer blow was delivered in the third quarter when Solent put in a 24-8 surge to leave East Durham with no way back.

Hield and team manager Cliff Fullbrook now take the team to Nottingham where they will face old rivals Richmond College in the semi-final of the Final Fours.

Solent scorers: John Notley 30, Anthony Rutter 27, Paul Young 24, Ryan Payne 5, Graham Philpot 4, Oliver Marsh 3, Ryan Squires 2.

Stars' youth coaches have decided to extend their programme for 2002/3 with a junior women's team as well as cadet women. Girls who are under-18 on August 31, 2002 are invited to join the trials on Sunday, June 9 at The Romsey School.