For the first time in a decade, an All Saints’ School basketball team has won the York & District league and cup double, as player MATT GRAVES reports.

FOR the last four years of school basketball, the All Saints’ basketball squad have come second in both the league and the cup in York & District.

This year, the squad have finally opened their trophy cabinet, cashing in on their previous disappointments by lifting both trophies.

The Year 11 team triumphed 31-21 against an impressive Fulford outfit in the cup final in the tent at the University of York.

All Saints’ Steven Gannon began proceedings with a stylish three pointer, leading to an array of solid defending against the conveyor belt of Fulford attacks.

Blocks from captain Felix Sparks- Finnegan, Tom Belt and Matt Graves kept All Saints’ in the driving seat as Kieran Thorpe, Sparks-Finnegan and Gannon continued to dictate the scorecard.

At the half-way point, All Saints’ held a tight 16-15 lead over the league runners-up, as Fulford continued to put pressure on the defence.

The efforts of Fulford, however, were in vain as stunning baskets from Sparks-Finnegan and Thorpe resulted in the catholic boys leading 21-16 with one quarter remaining.

The introduction of Dom Thorpe gave Fulford no slack, as an instant basket showed he was worthy of a starting five place in the team.

An awe-inspiring meandering dribble from Gannon penetrated the Fulford defence, allowing Sparks- Finnegan to dunk the spoils.

In a late mad rush from cup holders Fulford, Gannon, Belt, Thorpe and Graves all took physical blows for the team and they held on for the win.

To reach the final, the Mill Mount men had two close encounters with Bootham and Fulford, each resulting in three point victories for All Saints’.

They then strolled past Archbishop Holgate’s, Joseph Rowntree and Boston Spa, the five victories sealing their place in the final.

The domestic season’s overall statistics listed Gannon as top basket scorer, with 42, closely followed by Sparks-Finnegan (39).

The most fouls were retained by Graves (17), and Tom Belt was given the recognition of highest possession retention percentage (92 per cent).

David Gibson, basketball coach and head of PE, said: “The boys have been a credit to themselves and the school. They have represented All Saints’ with pride and determination and I have no doubts that they will continue to impress.”

The team will now represent York in the North Yorkshire finals.