This past Wednesday marked a historic day in the 12 year history of Ipswich Basketball Academy at Copleston High School & Sixth Form, as both teams played in the Elite Eight (Quarter Finals) of the Elite Academy Basketball Leagues.
Woman's Elite Academy Basketball League Elite Eight
Copleston High School 81-56 Manchester Mystics
The girls hosted Manchester Mystics at Copleston on Wednesday afternoon, winning in emphatic fashion 86-59 behind 20 points from Ella Pearson, who finished the season 4th in points per game.
This result ensures the girls match last season's efforts, where they bowed out to the eventual champions Charnwood College (Leicester), who have been knocked out in the Quarter Finals this season. They will be looking to go one better next Thursday as Copleston hosts a Semi Final for the first time, versus Barking Abbey at 1.30pm.
Women's Match Report -
Elite Academy Basketball League Elite Eight
Charnwood College 62-71 Copleston High School
The boys travelled away to Charnwood College in Leicester to face the reigning champions, a team that has only lost at home once in the last five seasons. Behind a huge 31 points, 25 rebound, 7 block performance from Ethan Price and some outstanding defence, the boys pulled off perhaps the biggest win in the history of the boys programme, taking a 9 point win and setting up a showdown against Barking Abbey. This game will take place at Barking on Wednesday afternoon.
Men's Match Report -
This achievement can not be understated, as Ipswich is one of only three programmes in the nation who have a team in both final fours, with the others being Barking Abbey and John Madejski Academy. It has been an incredibly successful season on the court for the Academy teams who will be looking to go one step further in hopes of reaching their respective Finals.