U16 Girls Sure Shot National Cup Final: Milton Keynes Breakers 71-77 Manchester Mystics

Manchester Mystics staged a dramatic comeback to successfully defend their U16 crown, beating a shell-shocked Milton Keynes Breakers 77-71. The contest appeared to be a changing of the guard, with MK hunting for a maiden win in the competition, and through three quarters that looked to be the most likely outcome. Heading into the fourth up 64-54, and after owning a lead that hit 13 points late in that frame, MK's charge would then hit a wall. In truth, a comeback seemed unlikely. Manchester started the final 10 minutes looking tired, highlighted by standout guard Anya Williams receiving treatment for cramp during more than one timeout. But momentum is a powerful thing, and after a 10-0 Mystics run tied the game, the defending champs then raced off into the distance. With a streak that eventually hit 18-2 leaving the Breakers reeling, the Mystics would soon be celebrating on centre court as the final buzzer sounded, securing a fifth title in the competition. A player who formed an important part of the fightback and helped keep the Mystics in touch when MK threatened to pull away was MVP winner Adele Tang. Netting 18 points on 72% shooting (8/11 FGs), Tang added a trio of rebounds and three steals alongside a late triple that gave Manchester an all-important one-point lead, and belief, with 4:11 remaining. Forward Elsa Critchley (6pts, 12reb, 3blk) also played a key role, producing key stops, rebounds and buckets as part of a dogged performance in the paint, and Luna Etienne (23pts) top-scored. Chantelle Okoli (17pts, 8reb) and Chine Ibegbulam (13pts, 13reb) led the charge for MK, who were left wondering what might have been following the late turnaround. Defeated in two of the last three finals, their wait for a victory in the competition goes on. Speaking about collecting the MVP award, Tang said: "It feels very good. It's my first time in the U16 Cup Finals and we had a 10-point deficit, then we were able to get many defensive stops and make a comeback. "We were patient on offence and on defensive we were just hustling [MK Breakers] and we had that energy the [rest] of the game." Mystics' head coach Max Watts added: "We said at the half-time it was going to take a little bit more than what we gave in the first half. I think we had 22 turnovers. It was just taking more care of the ball; game management, crashing the glass and actually just putting two hands on the rebound - and finishing the defensive possessions. "The National Cup sets precedent for when we get towards [Jnr. NBL] Final Fours, league standings and dictating the rest of our season. [We had] lots of new girls [in the Final], we only had three [in the team] that won it last year, but they wanted it."
Courtesy of: basketballengland.co.uk