Basketball match report: Uplands Academy vs Uckfield College

To kick off the new term in style, on Tuesday 14th April our Year 7/8 basketballers travelled to Uckfield for a very entertaining game. This fixture concludes our basketball season, which has been a great success for our students across both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4. We are very fortunate to have such talented players at the school, competing for Uplands and consistently demonstrating the MARK values.

Uplands started with Amelia and Stanley at point guard, George at centre, and Manu and Harry in the forward positions. In the first quarter, the game was very open, and Uckfield were able to take advantage, building an opening score of 19 points. They utilised a very talented Sevenoaks Suns player who was consistently able to dribble into the paint for lay-ups and step back off the dribble for mid-range jump shots. Uplands needed to find a way to guard him more effectively as the game progressed.

On the positive side, Uplands shared 8 points across four players as they grew into the game, with Stanley, Amelia, and Harry all scoring. George then added a fantastic jump shot, his only attempt of the game, right at the end of the quarter.

Uckfield 19 – Uplands 8

In the interval, the team reflected on their defensive performance and how to maintain better possession to limit Uckfield’s opportunities in transition. The response was immediate. Stanley took responsibility in the guard position, carrying the ball and attacking the opposition’s key more directly. He was rewarded with 6 excellent points in the second quarter. Abdullah and Angus came into the fold, bringing renewed defensive energy with excellent steals and strong tracking runs.

Uplands’ objective to limit Uckfield’s attack proved successful, restricting them to just one field goal in the quarter. Angus added composure and attacking threat with 4 points from lay-ups, while Amelia added another impressive long-range 2-pointer. Uplands won the quarter 12–2.

Half-time score – Uckfield 21 – Uplands 20

Uplands rotated players once again, and the third quarter proved tight and low-scoring. Uckfield looked to shore up their defence after conceding 12 points, while Uplands played cautiously to stay within touching distance heading into the fourth quarter. After a cagey start, Angus scored a lay-up to give Uplands the first points of the quarter, briefly taking a 1-point lead. However, in the closing minutes, Uckfield made changes that paid off, scoring three quick field goals in succession as Uplands began to tire.

Uckfield 6 – Uplands 2

Uckfield entered the fourth quarter with a 5-point advantage, despite Uplands’ excellent work in the middle stages to reduce the earlier deficit. The final quarter proved to be an end-to-end battle. Amelia and Harry each added 2 points, while Manu stepped up with two clinical finishes to contribute 4 points, giving Uplands 8 points in the quarter. Uckfield added 6 points.

Uplands 8 – Uckfield 6

Final score – Uckfield 33 – Uplands 30

Mr Doe, Head of PE, reflected on the match, 'A fantastic effort from the team. After going down by 11 points in the opening quarter, they went on to win two of the remaining three quarters and reduce the deficit to just 3 points by the end. It was a brilliant performance and a pleasure to watch'.