Peak performance nets Paisley Under-12s girls Scottish National crown

Jun 18 2012 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

BASKETBALLPAISLEY’S young female hoop stars were crowned Scottish Champions at the Peak Sports Centre in Stirling.

The under-12 girls team swept to victory with an unblemished record, remaining undefeated in the eight-region tournament which also involved East Lothian, Falkirk, Lanarkshire, Edinburgh, Highland, Stirling and West/Mid Lothian.

The Paisley squad, playing under the St Mirren banner, took the one-day competition by storm by winning their round-robin group section against Falkirk, Lanarkshire and finally East Lothian to top the table.

The top two teams from each section advanced to the ‘Gold Group’ where Paisley matched up with Edinburgh and the talented East Lothian and Highland teams

Dominated

Paisley dominated their three gold matches with strong aggressive defence and fast clinical finishing which saw them jump into early leads, leaving the remaining teams to battle it out for the consolation spots.

The Buddies top-scored with a massive 249 points in total and only conceded 73 points with superb defence.

Captain Shona McCrea led by example with a fine performance in the deciding game against Highland with Niahm Mcleod, Heather Fraser, Katie Simpson and Iona Ross all contributing consistently well at both ends of the court in all matches.

Young Laura Collins stepped in as a late replacement and deserves special mention for her fantastic defence – and was rewarded by being selected in the ‘All Star 5’.

Paisley head coach Lindsay Lang said: “This was a great team effort for ones so young.

“Our preparation has been excellent and it showed as we raised our game in the vital matches to win.”

The Paisley results were as follows: Paisley 54 Falkirk 4, Paisley 77 Lanarkshire 6, East Lothian 14 Paisley 34, (Gold Section): Paisley 35 East Lothian 19, Edinburgh 8 Paisley 44, Paisley 46 Highland 22.

Final standings: 1st – Paisley, 2nd – East Lothian, 3rd – Highland, 4th – Edinburgh, 5th – West/Mid Lothian, 6th – Stirling, 7th – Falkirk, 8th - Lanarkshire.

Shona McCrea, Niahm Mcleod and Laura Collins were selected by BasketballScotland officials for the ‘All Star 5’

The victorious Paisley team included Captain Shona McCrea, Niahm Mcleod, Heather Fraser, Iona Ross, Catriona McDonald, Maisie Huey, Chiara Pollock, Alix Stewart, Laura Collins, Katie Simpson and Jane Jenkins.