WBS Basketball team
West Buckland’s basketball team continues to go from strength to strength, beating almost every team in the South West of the UK. One of our players, Ocean, has given us an account of why the team works so well and what basketball means to him.
Basketball at WBS
This season, the WBS basketball team has consistently beaten its opponents in each match. Starting off in September, the team played the North Devon Club with a winning score of 85-77 and a few days later against Richard Huish College with an epic final score of 93-43.
Throughout the Autumn term, we played Queen’s College Taunton, Taunton School, Wellington School, King’s College Taunton and Blundell’s, with comfortable wins in each match.
In the Spring term, we have played Queen Elizabeth’s School twice, as well as Sidcot School and Queen’s College Taunton, with convincing wins across the board. On Wednesday 23rd March, WBS faced the strong team put forward by Millfield School, which definitely set the pulses racing within the team as well as the enthusiastic supporters.
The Millfield match was an absolute nailbiter, finishing in a close win of 79-76 in the final few seconds.
The Millfield challenge
One of our players, Ocean B, tells us more about playing basketball for WBS and the Millfield match.
‘A lot of emotions were floating all around everyone spectating that Millfield game. There was even a point that I felt that we would lose, looking at the scoreboard and seeing us down by 10 points. However, the captain (Argus Lam), gave me words of encouragement that allowed me to regain faith and keep my head up. Hearing that buzzer go off at the end made me ecstatic. Just knowing that we won the game and made history at WBS.
We won that game due to our hustle, shot selection and most importantly, our quest not to give up. Unlike Millfield, who were able to switch their five players on court at any moment, we were all knackered, cramping up and sore. We just stayed persistent and made winning our only thought. As a team, we gave our all on the court and it resulted in our SG (Agan Yu) hitting a three-point shot with 5 seconds remaining on the clock, giving us the win.’
Millfield School is renowned for sport and always represents a tough match. This one was no exception, which makes the result even sweeter.
What basketball means to the team
Ocean commented: ‘Growing up in a football family, I only started playing basketball at 12 years old. However, I immediately fell in love with the sport. I wasn’t the best by any means when I originally started but the idea of being a starter in my school team was the main target that encouraged me to keep playing and improving. It’s safe to say I have come a long way since those days of chest passing the ball into the basket as now, I find it much easier to score in games. The atmosphere when playing in a tight game is unmatched and the feeling of sinking that winning shot is unbeatable.
Our basketball season started with a bang, beating Richard Huish 95-43 on our first game playing together. We have since continued winning form despite versing tougher opponents like Blundell’s and Taunton school. As a team we work well together, with our respected skills combining allowing us to continue to dominate against all the teams in Southwest.’
The resilience, perseverance and determination shown here are qualities that WBS students are proud to display and our basketball team are proof that this attitude brings great results. Well done team, the school is very proud of you.
