The Suffolk under 13 Boys Basketball Team competed in the East Regions Inter-County Tournament recently.  

In early March trials for the Suffolk team were held in Beccles, Bury St. Edmunds and Ipswich. Initially, what was so encouraging about the trials was the number of young players that are playing Basketball throughout the county, at each trial there were at least 25 boys competing for selection. The sheer volume of trialists seen, made selecting a squad for Coach Wakefield a difficult job.
 
After selecting a squad of 18, the boys spent four sessions in April preparing for the up-coming tournament. As part of their preparation the squad also played a friendly against the Ipswich Bobcats under 14s, from which they emerged victorious after a very hard fought and close game. The following day, the squad had their last training sesion together, at which point the squad was trimmed down from 18, to a team of 12 that would be playing in the Inter-county tournament.
 
The team met at 11:30 Saturday, in Bushey, Hertfordshire. After getting kitted up, having their photo taken, and having an early warm-up, the team took full opportunity of the fine spring weather to go through their last minute preperations and team talk, out in the sun. In total there were 8 teams competing on the day; Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex 1 and 2, Cambridghire, Hertfordshire 1 and 2, and Bedfordshire. Suffolk were drawn in the same group as Essex 2, Herts 1 and Beds.
 
After winning their first game against Essex, Suffolk appeared to play their second game without the same passion and effort, losing by six points. After re-grouping and changing into their spare kit, the team knew a win against Beds, would see them playing in the 3rd/4th play-off game. The team hit the floor running, and limited Beds to just 8 points for the entire game, with Suffolk eventually winning by a margin of 60. The team carried their re-newed passion into their play-off game gainst Herts 2, which meant again Suffolk ran away with game, securing 3rd postion for the tournament.
 
Although it was pleasing for the team to finish 3rd, the main emphais for the day had been 'talent I.D.', for slection into the East of England Basketball team. Throughout the day the East of England coaching team had watched every game and player. Although the Suffolk team had finished third overall, the East of England coaches had been impressed with what they had seen. Out of 18 players selected from the tournament, an amazing eight of the twelve players Suffolk had, were selected. The players selected will now go on to train over the Summer with the East squad, in preparation for the Inter-Region tournament, where the best players are then selected to make up the England squad.

All the players who represented the county, performed exceptionally and should be proud of how they played. A big congratulations to the players that were selected, with a special mention to Blake Read, who has been selected whilst still being two years young.

The following are the players who were selected to train with the East of England Squad;  Blake Read, Bobby Ralston, Jay Tosar, Jordan Kemp, James Ling, Edwin Emery, James Casburn, Freddie Ratliffe.