Summer League 2008

The Bristol Academy Flyers and WEBBA Summer has now come to its conclusion. After 15 weeks of competition the play off’s saw the Tuesday Night and Thursday night league teams play off against one another, as the leagues crossed in play off week. This was done to decide final places and also to give teams the opportunity to see how they faired against one another.
The league has had plenty of praise as teams have enjoyed the experience of playing in an organised summer league and have used the opportunity for a variety of reasons. Some have used it to bridge the gap between the end of season and pre season others have used it to test where there particular team would be best suited in WEBBA next season. The young teams in the league have used it as development for the individuals and teams alike.
There have been some very competitive games which has made a great advert for basketball in the region. With Some old heads and some young players all on show the league has seen the blend of basketball that it should do in the summer. Filton College’s WISE Campus provided all that was needed with excellent facilities and on site bar for the older generation to enjoy the summer evenings.
The idea of the league was to keep the ball on the court as much as possible and rules were designed to enable teams and players to get more from the games. After 1 or 2 weeks of adjustment teams soon got used to the fast pace of the games and developed as a result of this.
Tuesday night saw one team dominate and although challenged on a few occasions the Little Treasures comfortably won the league without a single loss. The players on show for this team made each team who played them step up and they benefited as a result. Nailsea I made steady improvements throughout the weeks and proved their calibre for Division I next year.
Thursday night saw a real mix of experience and youth and the developments of teams in this league were most apparent. The Young Severn Blazers improved week on week and pulled off some shock results late on after taking a few weeks to adjust. Pirates B had a slow start and despite some heavy loses early on improved dramatically and gave a great account of themselves in the play offs. Nailsea II also benefited from the league and showed that throughout they were always competitive, they will make a great addition to WEBBA Division III next year.
Filton College’s Young guns won the Thursday night, chased to the finishing line by Aces they eventually deserved the win and earned a play off game with the Little Treasures to decide the ultimate Summer League Winners.

All in all the league has been a huge success and teams have already committed themselves to return next year. With the success of the league the Flyers and WEBBA summer league committee are looking to expand the league next year to 20 plus teams on 3 nights and also to include a junior weekend league for younger players. It is hoped that summer league will follow after a table officials and referees course to enable the development of officials as well as players.

The Committee would like to thank all of the teams who took part in the league this year. It has been thoroughly enjoyable and has been a huge success. The games have been played with competitive spirit and have been done so with great sportsmanship. A big thank you goes out to you all.





Summer League Final Standings 2008


Position Team Name
1st LITTLE TREASURES
2nd YOUNG GUNS
3rd TROWBRIDGE
4th ACES
5th WISE OLD BOYS
6th WIZARDS
7th NAILSEA
8th PIRATES A
9th BS1
10th PIRATES B
11th WORLE
12th EMPEES
13th J ROCKETS
14th SEVERN BLAZERS
15th LOCKLEAZE