News Archive

Due to an event at Perse, this Saturday's training has been rescheduled to Hills road sports and tennis centre. u15's - 10am to 12pm. u18's - 2pm to 3.30pm.

Nothing to laugh about for the Jokers as the Big Cats put in another solid performance   

Over the weekend Cats Senior men were on the road looking for the win that would announce their arrival in the Herts Premier League. The visit to Ware Jokers provided  the opportunity to test the Cats against another of the leagues big three and it didn’t take long for the jokers trickery and power to put  the Cats  firmly back into the freshman status. With the score at 25-11 at the end of Q1 the Jokers could afford a smile.  The Q1 break gave the Cats a chance to reorganise their defence  and they came out energised with man defense, giving the Jokers more to think about, driven on by Charlwood and Kanyamibwa and breakaway points from Radek the Mailman, the Cats took Q2 10-21 putting them right back in the game. The momentum was now with the Cats and with a solid performance from Dexter in Q3 they were able to stay with the Jokers, who were by this stage, digging deep into the jokers hand book to stay with the Cats. Q3 was even 20-20 with the Jokers ahead by three going into Q4

The teams traded baskets at the start of Q4 with the home team just staying ahead but the effort in Q2 and Q3 proved to be the undoing of the Cats and the Jokers lead stretched to 10 points. This should have been the end of the game but the Cats rallied putting pressure on the Jokers' Guards and making quick turnover points.  The Jokers took Q4 25-21  winning the game, but this was by no means a stand up for the Jokers, as in the end it came down to the execution of details; in this case free throws and its really “no joke” making  only 7 of 20  from the line.  However The Big Cats can go in the next game knowing that they are on the pace and can compete with the best in the league.

Final Score:    Ware Jokers  80   Cambridge Cats  73

Not quite the weeked we were looking for, but some good positive points to take away.

On Saturday, the under 15's travelled to play Newham All Stars in the England Basketball National Southern conference, 1st division. The outing was marred by a serious accident and road blockage on the M11, which made us extremely late and eventually the match had to be started with only 5 Cats against a full and strong Newham bench. When the 4 remaining Cats emerged from the east London traffic, the match was already (not unnexpectedly) irretrievable and the scoring ended 95 - 21 in Newhams favour. However, our lads tackled the superior Newham with vigour and courage, catching them out a few times with fast breaks. Well done Cats - let's look forward to entertaining Newham when they come up to Cambridge later in the season.

The Senior men travelled to Dunstable to play Circus Houghton Raiders in the Hertfordshire Basketball Association Premier league. Again, not a win, but a very close competitive match. Zac commented.......First quarter was excellent. Ball movement was great; the best I have seen us perform in the last two years. At the end of the first quarter we were up 20-10. I think it went down hill after that; shots weren't falling, their shots started to fall and by the end of the second quarter we were still up 29-22. End of the third we were up by 2 and in the fourth we were tied and the game was decided in the last minute or two. We were down 3 and they stole the ball and scored again. Final score, Raiders 63 - Cats 58.

Head Coach Wedderburn added.......Whilst it was not the result that we were looking for, we can take a lot from our first game in this campaign. We competed well, showing signs of maturity in our offence and played well defensively by keeping the opposition to below 16 each quarter. We still have much to do as we look to consolidate our position at this higher level  and our early season training sessions are vital. I believe that we have the talent in the group for us to have a good season, but you all must trust and believe in each other to make it work.

For up and coming matches, take a look at the team fixtures or table on the home page. Amongst them, the Big Cats have a big home game this Sunday against Cougars in the HBBL. Why not come and watch what promises to be a very competitive match and give your support to the Big Cats. 

Perse school isn't available to us on Saturday so training will be held at St Bedes instead. Times and age groups as usual; 9am-11am for u15's and younger - 11am to 1pm for u16's to u18's.

Back to Perse as usual on Saturday the 5th of October.

Click here for printable version

 

Billy Beddow Signs With an NCAA Div 3 University 

Annual General Meeting

• Our Treasurer Lucy has considered standing down due to pressure of work; however, she's recently (and thankfully) decided that she can continue for another year. However, some help would be appreciated and it would be good to have an assistant Treasurer who could aide and perhaps take over in the future. 
• Fund raisers. We’re always short of money and need some folks to step forward, take the initiative and organise or help to organise, some fund raising events.
• Team managers. The coaches are already stretched and need volunteers to help with match day; meet and greet the opposition at home games, transport rota for away games, liaison with venue staff. Not too onerous this one, typically suited to someone that follows their Son’s / Daughter’s team.
• Secretarial help. Dominique presently has to do a multitude of jobs including; liaising with other clubs and the leagues, venue bookings, recording committee meetings etc. We could do with giving her some support.
• Chairman. Like Lucy, I was intending to step aside this year, due to external pressures but have also reconsidered and will continue in the role (if re-elected). However, we currently have no vice Chairman and need to fill this position and ideally, the volunteer would be willing to take over the Chairman's role in the future.
• General. As you probably know, or can tell, the present committee are spread very thinly and pretty much anyone that's willing to help out in some way, would be appreciated.

This year’s end of season tournament will be held on Saturday July the 4^th, 2009. Please arrive at 9:00am for registration. The competition starts at 9:30am and concludes at 2:00pm with awards and prize giving.

Perse school have just advised that they are cancelling all external bookings for the sports hall, due to their speech day - this Saturday.

Training will be held at St Bedes school sports hall instead. 27th June - 9am till 1pm, sessions as normal.

Back to Perse on Saturday 4th July for the Club's end of season tournament.

 Click here for more details and printable application form.

Click here for latest details of Camp Director

The Scoreboard says it all

Cambridge Cats and Oxford Eagles after their final game of the season in the U18 National League, Southern Conference.

Not a one sided game by any means but Oxford were convincing victors, showing the form that places them firmly at the top of the table as this year's league champions.

Thanks for the game and Congratulations Oxford!!!!

Final score; Cambridge Cats 63, Oxford Eagles 87

I am both disappointed and saddened to announce that the club has been suspended from the Peterborough Basketball league.

More details have been circulated by way of a newsletter which is being handed out at training sessions. However, in essence, following a long period of 'strained relations' between the club and one of the PBL officials, an argument developed concerning anomalies over player registrations after a recent P5 match and the league made a hasty decision to suspend the Cats for the remainder of the season.

The severity and timing of the league's action was questionable to say the least, as it was applied to the entire club, not just the team in question. It was also initiated the day after the Cats Senior men won the cup and was less than a week before they were to challenge the league favourites, for the P1 title. Although the fixtures were almost at an end, we are hugely disappointed that the players and coaches have had the end of their season robbed, by what appears to be a very dubious decision.

I am personally organising an appeal, with the support and involvement of England Basketball and intend to pursue this very strongly.

Club Chairman: Paul Kerrison.

 Andrew Collins who has been coaching the clubs Under 16 National conference team has informed the club that developing personal commitments means he will unfortunately not be able to continue in the role, and that this Tuesday’s session 03 March 2009 would be the last midweek session and he will step down after last game of the season 15th March 2009.  The Tuesday and Saturday sessions for this group will continue as normal under the direction of the head coach.

Andy joined us as a volunteer three years ago while the club was going through a transitional period. He acted as interim Chairman to see the club through a difficult time, gained his England Basketball level one and two coaching badge and has worked tirelessly to help move the club forward. The work with the under 16 group could not have moved forward without his tireless devotion, commitment to the players and attention to detail. 

Andy stepping down is a blow, and the valuable experience that he gained over his time with the under 16s group is a loss for the club. However we can take great comfort from the good work that he has done for the club and moving the players in his group on from being near novices to competing in the National League Conference.   

I would like to say great big thank you to Andy and also to his wife for the many hours of personal time that they have both given to the club. My best wishes are with him as he takes on new challenges with hope that while he takes a well earned rest from coaching he will be able to continue his contribution to the club in other ways.

Head Coach: Clinton Wedderburn

Its been a mixed weekend for the club on the court