The Hornets U18 boys completed an amazing year last weekend beating Woking away to finish the regular season on a high with a perfect record (18-0).  The first ever undefeated record by a Hornets squad. The boys sit proudly at the top of South I and now progress to the national playoffs.

​Last year the boys who were all U17 and U16 finished runners up in their U18 division, so the challenge was there for them to finish this year with top honours. Going undefeated, they did not disappoint.

​The squad must now regroup and begin a renewed focus for the playoffs where their first round knockout game is away to North Premier side, Sheffield Sharks, 2:30pm on Sunday 31st March.

​The U18's have proven this year that they are a very talented bunch of players and have already had to overcome some adversity with the loss of Coach Brazas but the boys have not let that phase them at all as they have remained focused and have dominated the South I.

​The boys will need all of their focus, resilience and experience now as they look to continue their good form and advance through the playoff rounds. towards the National Finals.

​Well done boys!!

Hornets U16 boys had an excellent run to the end of the season with a perfect 10-0 record. Coach McCarthy had set the squad, who are predominantly an U15 team playing in the U16 division and under the guise of Coach Geddes, the challenge to finish the season perfectly and the boys delivered.

​This 10-0 run just goes to show yet again the talent and potential with this group of young boys. If they can all stay together for next season then we will have a very strong U16 team to challenge for league titles and playoff positions for 2019/20

​Well done to all the squad.

For many in the know Basketball in Spain is considered to be the next best thing behind the NBA. Bucks Hornets are one of the very few clubs in England to have a long established link in Spain and have helped players such as Mo Soluade and Samuel Egedi to gain professional contracts there too.

​As promised this year we will be looking to take a mixed group of boys and girls born 2003-2010 out to Spain this summer from 23rd-31st July for the Campus Roberto Morentin 2019.

As a club we have already attended this camp on several occasions so you can rest assured that it is a really great experience for all that attend both from a basketball and cultural perspective.

​We have a number limited places available that are being filled very quickly. If you are interested in joining Hornets on this trip to Spain this summer then please contact Head Coach Lee McCarthy on the email below ASAP to avoid disappointment: 
hornetsbasketballacademy@gmail.com

For further details you can also visit the camp website direct:  
www.campusrobertomorentin.com

​Hope you can join us!!

Congratulations to Vuk Stojkovic, Hornets U14 player and son of U14 Assistant Coach Darko who has been selected into the England Talent Programme for 2019. Announced by Basketball England on 8th March, Vuk is one of 35 boys in the country and one of only 3 in the South of England to be selected.

​Still in Year 8 Vuk is actually an U13 player and bodes well for him in the future to of made the programme. ​Like many Hornets success stories before him, Vuk began playing basketball in England with the U10/12 Shenley Scorpians based in Milton Keynes, competing in the Bucks Junior Basketball League. Vuk then made the transition over to Bucks Hornets for the opportunity to play National League Basketball.

​Hornets U14 Head Coach, Chris Bart-Williams says "Its been an absolute pleasure coaching Vuk. Very happy for his selection and take full credit for his talent lol"

​The full article on the Basketball England website can be found here:
https://www.basketballengland.co.uk/talent/england-talent-programmes-2019/

​Congratulations once again Vuk and best of luck for the future from all of the Hornets Family

In the build up to Christmas 2018 Bucks Hornets put together a select group of U18 players (2001 born) to participate in the 14th International Junior Tournament, Arroyo De La Encomienda, Spain.  The tournament featured some of the top Junior teams in Spain, Estudiantes, Valencia and Valladlolid all linked to professional clubs, as well as Grand Dax Basket from France.

This was the first time that any English team had competed in the tournament so we were determined to represent well. The squad selected by Hornets Head Coach Lee McCarthy consisted of current and former Hornets players as well as a few players who were talent spotted at the Hakeem Olajuwon Summer Camp 2018.  

​Day 1: Hornets got off to a great start with two wins from two versus locals CB La Flecha and Agustinos Eras respectively to be tied at the top of Group B  with Valencia still to play

​Day 2: Hornets faced Valencia Basket in the Group B decider but unfortunately came up short and finished runners up in the group. This meant Valladolid and Valencia played for 1st/2nd and for Hornets a 3rd/4th place playoff game followed versus Grand Dax Basket from France. A very well contested game throughout saw Hornets ultimately  finish in 4th place with an agonising 1pt defeat to the French side

Considering the squad only had 3 practices in the build up to the tournament and never had a full squad at a practice the 4th place finish from 8 well established teams was a fair result.

​The tournament provided great ​exposure for our boys, playing in front of professional coaches and scouts. For many this was also their first opportunity to play basketball at a high level in Europe and Hornets are proud to be able to help young up and coming talent get such opportunities.

If you would like to gain some exposure playing in Europe and are interested to play in the Tournament for 2019 then do not hesitate to get in touch.

​Email: hornetsbasketballacademy@gmail.com

From the left: 
Lee McCarthy (HC), Joslyn Mcleod (Hornets/Itchen), Brad West (Hornets/Combine USA), Josh Last (BHASVIC), Nic Nicolaou (Hornets), Juan Kunakah (Hornets/Myerscough), Tife Fagbenle (Barnet), Luke Parry (Hornets), Reece Price-Harrison (HCACP), Robbie Long (Hornets), Ben Geddes (AC), Byron Emerenini (Uxbridge)

Hornets U14 and U16 Boys were both in action this weekend whilst the U18's had a weekend off.

​Hornets U14 Boys were away to London Feltham Warriors and were very keen to get back to winning ways after their disappointing loss last week at home to Woking. The boys got off to a great start taking an 18-8 lead after the first quarter and went into the half time up 28-14. London had little answer to the Hornets defence as we held them to just 4pts in the 3rd quarter winning the game 56-26. Coach Chris said "a better result and a much better performance today. All the things we didn't do well last week such as rebounding, running the floor and communicating, we did well today. I'm a happy coach"

​Hornets U16 boys were at home to Abingdon Eagles who were the only other team in the league with an undefeated record aside from Luton. A win was needed if we were to make a stake as one of the better teams in the league and the boys did not disappoint. Despite an injury early in the first quarter to Hornets key player the bench were ready to step up and delivered an 18-10 lead. Abingdon showed why they were undefeated and at the top of the table as they finished the half strongly to narrow the gap 34-29 to Hornets. Abingdon came out in the 3rd just as strongly as they had finished the half and again were able to close the gap even further 50-47. That being said Hornets were equally playing well and putting the Abingdon defence under a lot of pressure. The final quarter was a real nail biter as Abingdon took a 61-58 lead with 2 minutes left on the clock. A Hornets timeout, solid defence and continued offensive pressure saw Abingdon fouling at the basket to protect their lead. With the resulting free throws Hornets were able to go 100% from the line shooting 6 from 6 in the final minute of the game to win 66-61. That's 4 wins in a row now for the U16's and another team winning performance. Coach Lee said "we are slowly learning what it takes to win games, we just have to keep getting better each week. 10 of our 12 boys getting on the score sheet just shows the depth we have for such a young squad". 

​Go Hornets!!!

Hornets U16 & U18 were both in action away to local rivals MK Trojans this weekend at Bletchley College, whilst Hornets U14's were hosting Woking Blackhawks at Sir Henry Floyd.

The U16's were first to tip off v the Trojans U16's who had made a perfect start to the season with a 2-0 record. Hornets opened up the scoring behind a made free throw but Trojans came out on top in the 1st quarter leading 12-9. In the 2nd quarter the travelling Hornets began to settle and were playing with much more confidence taking a 35-31 lead at half time. Going into the 3rd Hornets carried over the 2nd half momentum and stretched out a 17pt lead 54-37. However MK were not finished and after some Hornets complacency and unforced errors the Trojans were able to claw their way back into the game to tie it up 63-63 at the end of regular time. Disappointed but unphased by the Trojans elated fans the Hornets boys rallied together in over time and were able to see out the game for the deserved win 76-72 victory to Hornets and 3 wins in a row... 🐝

Hornets U18's were also in action in MK soon after the U16's OT victory. Some excellent defence from Hornets saw the Trojans only managing to score 39 points in the game as Hornets came away with 55 points of their own and maintained their 100% perfect start to the season 3-0 🐝

Following their impressive opening game victory last week Hornets U14's faced Woking Blackhawks at home. Hornets started off strongly and were very competitive winning the 1st quarter 15-14. However a lapse in concentration and intensity either side of the half resulted in Hornets giving up some easy baskets that allowed the Blackhawks to take a 14pt lead going into the 4th. Hornets fought back in the final quarter and finished strongly but it was too little too late as they took their first loss of the season 68-58 🐝

All the Hornets teams were in action this weekend for the first time this season. U14 boys were away to Surrey Rams while the U16 boys and U18 boys were at home to Reading Rockets and Farnborough Phantoms respectively. All of our boys came away with impressive victories.

​U14 boys won the opening game to their season campaign 97-33 away to Surrey Rams. It was also the debut game for Coach Chris, so great that the boys pulled together and produced such an impressive first game performance.

​U16 boys beat Reading Rockets 95-37. Reading had won their previous game against Phantoms 82-41 so it shows the improvements our U16 boys have made since the start of the season to win by such a margin. Not only this but the majority of our squad are U15's.  The future looks bright.

​U18 boys set the tone for the day winning at home v Farnborough Phantoms 102-60. Coach Justas is settling in very well and the boys have taken well to his style. Hornets defence was too strong and the Phantoms had very few answers for the inside and outside game of the Hornets U18's offence.

​Well done to everyone. A great weekend for the Hornets programme. 

​Go Hornets!!