WARRINGTON teenager Adam Cross is celebrating after winning England’s U16s basketball Sure Shot National Finals in Worcester with Manchester Magic.
His club Manchester Magic and Mystics had four teams competing in six finals to claim the first silverware of the year. The game on Saturday followed the U16 girls, Manchester Mystics who beat Northern League rivals Milton Keynes, putting the pressure on Adam’s team to follow with a win.
The build up to the game was amazing, with DJ and lightshow to call out the players surrounded by hundreds of spectators. Adam started the game, which saw a powerful London Legends taking an early lead. The 6’9″ forward dominating the backboard and their point guard hitting early 3 pointers. The first quarter score reflected the pressure of the occasion, with London Legends taking a narrow lead 19-15. As the Magic players started to settle down they won the second quarter 20-14, taking a small lead at the half time 33-35.
The start of the second half Magic continued to apply defensive pressure on the London Legends and 3 pointers from Adam and his team mates. The Magic players continued to move the ball at pace creating space for their teams mates with assists from Adam, who have drawn a number of legendary players. The third quarter finished 56-62 with Magic taking a six-point lead into the final quarter. The teams exchanged points until Adam scored a 3 pointer to extend Magic’s lead to double digits. Adam’s defense was on point, forcing a charging foul and getting an interception to help the Magic team pull away and win the game comfortably 66-84.
Adam from Appleton Thorn, played 26 minutes of the 40 minutes, contributing with 3 pointers, assists, rebounds and played with intensity to help his Magic win their 13 U16’s Boys title. On the Sunday, Mystics women beat London Cavaliers with the Magic men, with a injury hit team, lost to Solent Kestrels.
The celebrations were short the following day when Adam’s team was back in action playing Mersey Mavericks away in the League. Currently sitting top of the league Magic wanted to keep there unbeaten season intact to ensure a top play-off position to end the season at the Final Fours on 2nd-3rd May at the Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester.
