Phoenix knights celebrate end of season

Jun 13 2008

PERTH Phoenix Basketball Club celebrated the end of a hectic 2007/2008 season at their recent annual Awards Ceremony at McDiarmid Park on Saturday, May 31.

Head Coach Russel Kesson was able to highlight a number of significant achievements for the club, with three teams gaining league and cup success, whilst seven players were selected by basketballscotland for National Training Squads at U18, U17, U16 and U14 levels.

Coach Kesson noted Perth Phoenix is now recognised as the fastest growing basketball club in Scotland and he paid tribute to all the work put in by players, committee members and a large number of club supporters.

The Junior Men's team, playing in the National League for the second year, had an excellent season finishing with a record of 16 wins from 20 league games; winning the Silver League in the process.

Most Valuable Player (MVP) was awarded to Alex Garthwaite who had an excellent season both offensively (15.4 ppg) and defensively. Daniel Ghamgosar was Best Defensive Player, with Jamie Summerton picking up the Most Improved Player Award.

The Cadet Men's team worked hard throughout the season and produced a number of impressive performances in the National League.

The prize for Most Valuable Cadet Player was won by Ben Warrington – the team's top scorer with an average of 25.8 points per game. Defensive Player of the Year was Ross Marr, with Pete McDougall the coaches' choice as Most Improved Player.

The Senior Men's Team achieved a basketballtayside and Fife Senior Mens League and Cup double, whilst also winning the Tayside Blitz Tournament and the Claymore Cup. Steven Dewar was voted Most Valuable Player (MVP), with Barry Shepherd receiving the award for Best Defensive Player.

The Perth Phoenix Women's team also won the basketballtayside and Fife League – winning every game in the process – whilst they were runners up in both the Cup and the Tayside Blitz Tournament. Rosie Barr (16.3 ppg) was MVP, with Jo Trodden voted Defensive Player of the year.

Coach Kesson paid a special tribute to Club Chairman, Douglas Bader who died recently.

A new annual award in honour of Douglas – the Douglas Bader Trophy – to be awarded to the young person that has made an outstanding contribution to Perth Phoenix Basketball Club in the previous year.

The first recipient of the award was Alex Garthwaite – who in addition to playing for the Junior Men – took on responsibility for coaching the Cadet Men. In his first season as a coach, he worked tireless for the Cadet Men and his efforts were hugely appreciated and recognised by both his squad and the Club as a whole.

Alex was presented with his Trophy by Douglas's widow, May Bader.

THIS weekend, basketballtayside and fife host their biggest basketball tournament in 20 years – the British Masters Dundee 2008.

The event is for the top Over-40s’ basketball player, with an Over-35s’ section for women, attracting 32 teams and more than 300 players from all over the UK, as well as Germany and the USA.

Six basketball courts at DISC and the ISE at Dundee University will host 64 basketball games at the weekend between 10am and 5pmwith the finals taking place at DISC on Sunday, tipping off at 2pm.

Spectator access at DISC is free both days.

Perth Phoenix are among the clubs supplying the referees and officials.