FORWARD DUO TO COMPETE AT HOOPSFIX ALLSTAR CLASSIC 2018
Itchen College & Team Solent Kestrels forward duo Ashley Briggs and Matt Hughes will head to the capital this weekend where they’ll match up amongst the top junior talent in the country at the 2018 Hoopsfix All Star Classic.
Briggs will return for his 3rd appearance in the showcase, this time in the Class of 2018 category whilst Matt Hughes makes his first appearance after a break out year in the EABL in the underclassmen game.
After a year hiatus the Hoopsfix All-Star Classic makes its return behind the relentless British Basketball advocate, Mr Hoopsfix himself Sam Neter. The showcase allows for the best young talent in the country to match up in an All-Star format and go head to head on the big stage. This year the athletes that will be returning to their respective programmes will compete in the Underclassmen game at 2pm on Saturday whilst Seniors who will/have graduate(d) go at it in the Class of 2018 game at 4pm. The Classic remains at one of the Mecca’s of British hoops the Brixton Rec Centre.
Briggs who represent Team Black commented this on his 3rd selection; "HASC is always something I look forward to and I am really excited it has returned this summer. Of course it's an honour to be selected for the event and I thank everyone who had a hand in that process. Having the opportunity to play against the top players in the country in one game doesn't happen very often and it's just great to be a part of it all.
Whilst Matt Hughes also representing Team Black (Underclassmen) weighed in on his first time selection; “For me personally it’s a great honour to be selected and even recognised amongst the top players in the country. To play with and against some of the best players in the country is a rare occasion and I am really looking forward to the game and the experience as a whole.
With so much hard work behind the scenes and from all the sponsors that have helped to make it such a great event we encourage our whole basketball community to follow the action this Saturday by heading over to the Hoopsfix social media pages where you’ll be able to catch all the action as it happens!
For more information visit; www.hoopsfixallstarclassic.com
#KestrelsFamily #HASC18
Briggs will return for his 3rd appearance in the showcase, this time in the Class of 2018 category whilst Matt Hughes makes his first appearance after a break out year in the EABL in the underclassmen game.
After a year hiatus the Hoopsfix All-Star Classic makes its return behind the relentless British Basketball advocate, Mr Hoopsfix himself Sam Neter. The showcase allows for the best young talent in the country to match up in an All-Star format and go head to head on the big stage. This year the athletes that will be returning to their respective programmes will compete in the Underclassmen game at 2pm on Saturday whilst Seniors who will/have graduate(d) go at it in the Class of 2018 game at 4pm. The Classic remains at one of the Mecca’s of British hoops the Brixton Rec Centre.
Briggs who represent Team Black commented this on his 3rd selection; "HASC is always something I look forward to and I am really excited it has returned this summer. Of course it's an honour to be selected for the event and I thank everyone who had a hand in that process. Having the opportunity to play against the top players in the country in one game doesn't happen very often and it's just great to be a part of it all.
Whilst Matt Hughes also representing Team Black (Underclassmen) weighed in on his first time selection; “For me personally it’s a great honour to be selected and even recognised amongst the top players in the country. To play with and against some of the best players in the country is a rare occasion and I am really looking forward to the game and the experience as a whole.
With so much hard work behind the scenes and from all the sponsors that have helped to make it such a great event we encourage our whole basketball community to follow the action this Saturday by heading over to the Hoopsfix social media pages where you’ll be able to catch all the action as it happens!
For more information visit; www.hoopsfixallstarclassic.com
#KestrelsFamily #HASC18
ITCHEN/TSK U19 ASH BRIGGS COMMITS LAKE REGION STATE ROYALS
Itchen College and Team Solent Kestrels forward Ashley Briggs has committed to Lake Region State College for the 2018/19 season and will make his move to the North Dakota junior college at the end of the summer on an athletic scholarship. Ashley will follow in former Itchen/TSK big man Harvey Barr’s footsteps and as one Itchen alumni moves on from Lake Region (Harvey Barr graduated from LRSC and will move to a NCAA school) another joins the Royals.
The 6’8 big man who hails from Hythe in the south of Hampshire, joined Kestrels aged 13 and has featured for the club through every junior age group since, resulting in a call up for the Division 1 Men’s team last season whilst featuring more regularly this season for the Division 3 Men’s Kestrels side. Briggs also spent his last three season at Itchen College Basketball Academy under the guidance of Matt Guymon and his coaching staff where he has made huge strides in improving his game and his body.
Ash earned himself a call up to the England U16 national team during the summer of 2015 where he represented the country at the European Championship Division A facing some of europe’s top young talent and he was again featured in the U18 selection process for the England/GB over the next two summers. He led the U18 Team Solent Kestrels team to the playoff quarter finals last season before taking Itchen College to the elite eight in the EABL playoffs this season after a 3rd place finish in the East Conference. His performances this year saw him land two EABL player of the week awards and with averages of 14.2ppg, 8.5rpg, 2.7apg & 1.3spg landed him a spot on the All EABL East Conference 2nd team.
After signing his letter of intent surrounded by his team mates earlier this week Briggs had this to say; “I’m really happy that I am able to further my education and basketball career at Lake Region State College next year. I have been in contact with Coach Marshall for a while now and I feel as though it will be a great fit for me to come in and make an impact right away. I want to say a massive thank you to Team Solent Kestrels/Itchen College and all the coaching staff that have helped me to develop over the years. Also my family for their continued belief and support they have shown me. Whilst this is a massive decision for me I know I have made the right one and I can’t wait to get started.”
TSK & Itchen College Basketball Academy Head Coach Matt Guymon was extremely proud of Ash and had this to say; “This is a great opportunity for Ash at a good junior college level. As they have had players from the UK before it should help him make a quick transition to American culture & style of basketball. We are very proud of what Ash has achieved over the last 3 years with us, and we hope this is just the start of what he can accomplish both in basketball & academically.”
Everyone here within the Kestrels Family would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ash on achieving his scholarship and we can’t wait to see how he represents once he touches down on American soil next season.
You can check out Ash’s highlights from the 2016-17 season here; https://youtu.be/KclXOuCKYno
And keep your eyes peeled to our social media channels for his new highlight mix in the coming days!
The 6’8 big man who hails from Hythe in the south of Hampshire, joined Kestrels aged 13 and has featured for the club through every junior age group since, resulting in a call up for the Division 1 Men’s team last season whilst featuring more regularly this season for the Division 3 Men’s Kestrels side. Briggs also spent his last three season at Itchen College Basketball Academy under the guidance of Matt Guymon and his coaching staff where he has made huge strides in improving his game and his body.
Ash earned himself a call up to the England U16 national team during the summer of 2015 where he represented the country at the European Championship Division A facing some of europe’s top young talent and he was again featured in the U18 selection process for the England/GB over the next two summers. He led the U18 Team Solent Kestrels team to the playoff quarter finals last season before taking Itchen College to the elite eight in the EABL playoffs this season after a 3rd place finish in the East Conference. His performances this year saw him land two EABL player of the week awards and with averages of 14.2ppg, 8.5rpg, 2.7apg & 1.3spg landed him a spot on the All EABL East Conference 2nd team.
After signing his letter of intent surrounded by his team mates earlier this week Briggs had this to say; “I’m really happy that I am able to further my education and basketball career at Lake Region State College next year. I have been in contact with Coach Marshall for a while now and I feel as though it will be a great fit for me to come in and make an impact right away. I want to say a massive thank you to Team Solent Kestrels/Itchen College and all the coaching staff that have helped me to develop over the years. Also my family for their continued belief and support they have shown me. Whilst this is a massive decision for me I know I have made the right one and I can’t wait to get started.”
TSK & Itchen College Basketball Academy Head Coach Matt Guymon was extremely proud of Ash and had this to say; “This is a great opportunity for Ash at a good junior college level. As they have had players from the UK before it should help him make a quick transition to American culture & style of basketball. We are very proud of what Ash has achieved over the last 3 years with us, and we hope this is just the start of what he can accomplish both in basketball & academically.”
Everyone here within the Kestrels Family would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ash on achieving his scholarship and we can’t wait to see how he represents once he touches down on American soil next season.
You can check out Ash’s highlights from the 2016-17 season here; https://youtu.be/KclXOuCKYno
And keep your eyes peeled to our social media channels for his new highlight mix in the coming days!
ITCHEN FORWARD DUO NAMED TO EABL ALL CONFERENCE 2ND TEAM
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Itchen College Basketball Academy & Team Solent Kestrels Forward duo, Ashley Briggs and Matt Hughes, have been named to the East Conference All EABL 2nd Team for the 2017-18 season. The 1st and 2nd teams were voted for by coaches across the league and the accolade considers them amongst the top 10 players in their respective conference.
The pair have both grown up in the Team Solent Kestrels junior set up, from the U14 age group right through to the U19 academy at Itchen College. Both were pivotal figures in the academies success this season, leading the squad to it’s 5th playoff appearance in a row finishing the season with a 9-5 record to clinch the 3rd seed in the East.
Ash, a former England/GB international, has been a stand out homegrown prospect over the last 3 seasons at Itchen, and this year saw him lead the line for a relatively inexperienced group in his senior year, picking up two EABL player of the week awards. Despite a huge 28 point, 14 rebound performance in the Elite 8 at Charnwood, Briggs and his Itchen squad were unable to overcome the East Midlands academy. With averages of 14.2ppg, 8.5rpg, 2.7apg and 1.3spg the 6’8 forward showed how he has expanded his game doing a little bit of everything including shooting over 40% from the 3 point line, finishing 9th in overall player efficiency and 10th in FT % (71.4%).
Briggs had this to say on his selection; “Of course I’m extremely happy to have been selected for the team. We worked so hard as a group this season to get on the same page and managed to do that just at the right time. I can’t thank the coaching staff and my team mates enough for the support they have shown me through out the year and my time at the academy. Also I want to give a big shout out to my team mate Matt Hughes for making the 2nd team this year too.
Ash will now pursue his options both in the United States and with Universities in the UK as he moves on from the academy well prepared for the next level.
Much like his front court partner Matt Hughes has been monumental this season contributing big time for both club and academy, with several 40+ point games in U18 NBL action and a number of 20+ points performances in the EABL. Whilst Matt is only a 2nd year he posted averages of 19.7ppg, 11.4rpg, 1.9apg and 1.7spg leaving him 2nd in the league for points per game, 4th in efficiency rating and 4th in rebounding. Again another example of the home grown talent continuously moving through the pathway at TSK and Itchen College. Hughes came up big down the stretch during regular season play, posting a monster double double in a down to the wire victory over JMA with 16 points and 19 rebounds. Whilst just two weeks later, he put up 31 points and 9 rebounds in an overtime victory at Barking Abbey to hand them their first loss in almost two seasons. The 6’5 forward will return to Itchen for a third year of study and will feature for the TSK men’s side next season.
Matt was overjoyed at his selection and commented; “I’m really grateful to be selected and ultimately make the team. The coaches here at Itchen have been putting a lot of work in with me and the team this year and I was happy to give back to them with my performances. I couldn't have done it without the continuous support from my teammates so I owe a great deal to them.”
Itchen College Basketball Academy’s Head Coach Matt Guymon also weighed in on the selection of his forward duo and was extremely proud of their achievements; “ This is a fantastic achievement for Ash & Matt which is testament to the hard work they have put in over the last few seasons. They were both instrumental in our success this year, consistently leading the way in a number of statistical categories and influential in getting us over the line when we needed it most. For our programme this means a great deal, knowing that they both started with Solent Kestrels when they were U14 and have been able to develop into top EABL performers along our player pathway."
EABL Release; http://www.eabl.org/2018/03/2017-18-all-eabl-teams-revealed/
The pair have both grown up in the Team Solent Kestrels junior set up, from the U14 age group right through to the U19 academy at Itchen College. Both were pivotal figures in the academies success this season, leading the squad to it’s 5th playoff appearance in a row finishing the season with a 9-5 record to clinch the 3rd seed in the East.
Ash, a former England/GB international, has been a stand out homegrown prospect over the last 3 seasons at Itchen, and this year saw him lead the line for a relatively inexperienced group in his senior year, picking up two EABL player of the week awards. Despite a huge 28 point, 14 rebound performance in the Elite 8 at Charnwood, Briggs and his Itchen squad were unable to overcome the East Midlands academy. With averages of 14.2ppg, 8.5rpg, 2.7apg and 1.3spg the 6’8 forward showed how he has expanded his game doing a little bit of everything including shooting over 40% from the 3 point line, finishing 9th in overall player efficiency and 10th in FT % (71.4%).
Briggs had this to say on his selection; “Of course I’m extremely happy to have been selected for the team. We worked so hard as a group this season to get on the same page and managed to do that just at the right time. I can’t thank the coaching staff and my team mates enough for the support they have shown me through out the year and my time at the academy. Also I want to give a big shout out to my team mate Matt Hughes for making the 2nd team this year too.
Ash will now pursue his options both in the United States and with Universities in the UK as he moves on from the academy well prepared for the next level.
Much like his front court partner Matt Hughes has been monumental this season contributing big time for both club and academy, with several 40+ point games in U18 NBL action and a number of 20+ points performances in the EABL. Whilst Matt is only a 2nd year he posted averages of 19.7ppg, 11.4rpg, 1.9apg and 1.7spg leaving him 2nd in the league for points per game, 4th in efficiency rating and 4th in rebounding. Again another example of the home grown talent continuously moving through the pathway at TSK and Itchen College. Hughes came up big down the stretch during regular season play, posting a monster double double in a down to the wire victory over JMA with 16 points and 19 rebounds. Whilst just two weeks later, he put up 31 points and 9 rebounds in an overtime victory at Barking Abbey to hand them their first loss in almost two seasons. The 6’5 forward will return to Itchen for a third year of study and will feature for the TSK men’s side next season.
Matt was overjoyed at his selection and commented; “I’m really grateful to be selected and ultimately make the team. The coaches here at Itchen have been putting a lot of work in with me and the team this year and I was happy to give back to them with my performances. I couldn't have done it without the continuous support from my teammates so I owe a great deal to them.”
Itchen College Basketball Academy’s Head Coach Matt Guymon also weighed in on the selection of his forward duo and was extremely proud of their achievements; “ This is a fantastic achievement for Ash & Matt which is testament to the hard work they have put in over the last few seasons. They were both instrumental in our success this year, consistently leading the way in a number of statistical categories and influential in getting us over the line when we needed it most. For our programme this means a great deal, knowing that they both started with Solent Kestrels when they were U14 and have been able to develop into top EABL performers along our player pathway."
EABL Release; http://www.eabl.org/2018/03/2017-18-all-eabl-teams-revealed/
TEAM SOLENT KESTRELS JUNIORS MAKE U15/16 ENGLAND SQUADS
Team Solent Kestrels junior duo Faye Endean and Jack Wiseman have been selected in the initial 34 player England U15/16 squads following successful performances at last weekends U15 Regional Development Tournament in Manchester. The pair will join up with the mens and women’s squad this December for National Team Training Camp in Manchester, after representing the South region in the RDT.
“I’m really excited to be selected for the U15/16 England squad this, regionals was another excellent experience especially beating last years winners. I cannot wait for the first training camp in December.” Explained Faye.
Faye who was part of the England U15 squad last year, played a huge part for both the U14 & U16 TSK’s girls teams last season with several large scoring outputs and will continue to lead the line for both squads again this coming season. Wiseman who has shown a great deal of development through our U14 National League team over the past two seasons with Coach Matt Birch and Coach Khalid Missouri, will now make the step up to U16 level and will also look to feature for the U18 team as the season progresses.
Head of Team Solent Kestrels Junior girls basketball, Vicky Milner expressed just how proud the club are of Faye’s development; “Everyone here at TSK are really proud of Faye for being selected for the U15/U16 England squad for the second year in a row. She has worked hard the past year in practice as well as going above and beyond outside of team training. Faye has recognised aspects of her game that need improving and has put in a lot of individual work, that hard work has paid off and she can very proud of herself. I am sure she will continue to put the extra work in and aim to make the final team this time around, something that we as a club will support in every aspect.”
Jack’s U16 Head Coach Jack O’Keeffe was also full of praise for Jack’s selection; “We are all extremely proud of Jack for being named to the initial U15/16 England squad. Jack has shown fantastic commitment to developing his game over the past two seasons and I have no doubt he will continue to work on skill set through out the season. Credit to the coaching staff at Kestrels for the work they have down with Jack to this point. Jack has an innate competitive nature that has helped him develop thus far and I look forward to seeing how much more he will develop over the coming season.”
Jack was extremely grateful of the opportunity and had this to say; “I want to thank all of my club coaches who have helped me develop as well as the regional coaching staff this summer. I’ really looking forward to the challenge of competing with the best players in the country at the first training camp in December and I know that the hard work really starts now for me.”
Team Solent Kestrels boys players Stan Mellstrom (U16 Premier) and Rory-Urquhart Hawkins (U14/16 Premier) also represented the South Region at the tournament, with Stan finishing 2nd overall in the National Shooting Test. TSK girls contingent of Caitlin Collier, Charlotte Finn, Georgia Taylor and Katie Hopper all joined Faye on the South U15 side as well.
You can check out the recaps and squad announcements here;
https://www.basketballengland.co.uk/news/u15-sat-recap-17
https://www.basketballengland.co.uk/news/u15-sun-recap-17
https://www.basketballengland.co.uk/news/announcement-england-u16-u15-mens-and-womens-squad-announced-following-successful-rdt
“I’m really excited to be selected for the U15/16 England squad this, regionals was another excellent experience especially beating last years winners. I cannot wait for the first training camp in December.” Explained Faye.
Faye who was part of the England U15 squad last year, played a huge part for both the U14 & U16 TSK’s girls teams last season with several large scoring outputs and will continue to lead the line for both squads again this coming season. Wiseman who has shown a great deal of development through our U14 National League team over the past two seasons with Coach Matt Birch and Coach Khalid Missouri, will now make the step up to U16 level and will also look to feature for the U18 team as the season progresses.
Head of Team Solent Kestrels Junior girls basketball, Vicky Milner expressed just how proud the club are of Faye’s development; “Everyone here at TSK are really proud of Faye for being selected for the U15/U16 England squad for the second year in a row. She has worked hard the past year in practice as well as going above and beyond outside of team training. Faye has recognised aspects of her game that need improving and has put in a lot of individual work, that hard work has paid off and she can very proud of herself. I am sure she will continue to put the extra work in and aim to make the final team this time around, something that we as a club will support in every aspect.”
Jack’s U16 Head Coach Jack O’Keeffe was also full of praise for Jack’s selection; “We are all extremely proud of Jack for being named to the initial U15/16 England squad. Jack has shown fantastic commitment to developing his game over the past two seasons and I have no doubt he will continue to work on skill set through out the season. Credit to the coaching staff at Kestrels for the work they have down with Jack to this point. Jack has an innate competitive nature that has helped him develop thus far and I look forward to seeing how much more he will develop over the coming season.”
Jack was extremely grateful of the opportunity and had this to say; “I want to thank all of my club coaches who have helped me develop as well as the regional coaching staff this summer. I’ really looking forward to the challenge of competing with the best players in the country at the first training camp in December and I know that the hard work really starts now for me.”
Team Solent Kestrels boys players Stan Mellstrom (U16 Premier) and Rory-Urquhart Hawkins (U14/16 Premier) also represented the South Region at the tournament, with Stan finishing 2nd overall in the National Shooting Test. TSK girls contingent of Caitlin Collier, Charlotte Finn, Georgia Taylor and Katie Hopper all joined Faye on the South U15 side as well.
You can check out the recaps and squad announcements here;
https://www.basketballengland.co.uk/news/u15-sat-recap-17
https://www.basketballengland.co.uk/news/u15-sun-recap-17
https://www.basketballengland.co.uk/news/announcement-england-u16-u15-mens-and-womens-squad-announced-following-successful-rdt
MIRROR BOX STUDIOS CONTINUE PARTNERSHIP WITH KESTRELS FOR 2017-18 SEASON
With the new season, right around the corner and a great deal of hard work continuing behind the scenes at the club, someone who certainly fits that category is Nick Guise-Smith of Mirror Box Studios. Nick has been working with the club over the past few seasons producing images of the highest quality from predominantly both men’s and women’s fixtures.
Nick will again be working with the club this coming season and with Mirror Box Studios’ ongoing support we hope to bring even more fresh content across all our social media platforms this season.
Kestrels Media & Communications coordinator Jack O’Keeffe commented; “It is fantastic to have Nick from Mirror Box with us again for this season, his work is of the highest order and adds a phenomenal amount of value to the quality of our online presence as a club. We are all looking forward to having Nick back with us this season.”
You can stay up to date with all things Mirror Box by following on;
Twitter – @MBSLivePhotos
Facebook – Mirror Box Studios
Instagram – @mirrorboxstudios
And even more importantly visiting the website – www.mirrorboxstudios.com
All images from games will be uploaded to our Facebook page and Gallery section on the website which can be found here - Gallery
Nick will again be working with the club this coming season and with Mirror Box Studios’ ongoing support we hope to bring even more fresh content across all our social media platforms this season.
Kestrels Media & Communications coordinator Jack O’Keeffe commented; “It is fantastic to have Nick from Mirror Box with us again for this season, his work is of the highest order and adds a phenomenal amount of value to the quality of our online presence as a club. We are all looking forward to having Nick back with us this season.”
You can stay up to date with all things Mirror Box by following on;
Twitter – @MBSLivePhotos
Facebook – Mirror Box Studios
Instagram – @mirrorboxstudios
And even more importantly visiting the website – www.mirrorboxstudios.com
All images from games will be uploaded to our Facebook page and Gallery section on the website which can be found here - Gallery